Stars Force Game Six with Dramatic Overtime Victory

The Texas Stars refused to fade quietly into the Central Texas night, securing a crucial 2-1 overtime victory over the Abbotsford Canucks in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals Thursday night at the H-E-B Center. The dramatic win keeps the Stars’ Calder Cup dreams alive, forcing a Game Six on Sunday and sending the tightly contested series back to Abbotsford.

Just 2:09 into the extra frame, veteran forward Curtis McKenzie became the hero, burying the game-winner past Canucks netminder Artūrs Šilovs. The decisive play originated from a turnover in Abbotsford’s defensive zone, with Jack Becker collecting the puck, circling the net, and feeding McKenzie at the top of the crease for the series-extending tally. “Huge moment in overtime. Put a puck in a good spot. Connected and put one in a hard area,” said Stars head coach Neil Graham, visibly pleased with his team’s resilience.

Texas opened the scoring early in the first period when Justin Hryckowian capitalized on a power play at 3:56, backhanding a shot between Šilovs’ pads. This marked the third straight game the Stars have found success with the man advantage. The 1-0 lead held through a scoreless second period until Abbotsford’s Arshdeep Bains tied the game 2:42 into the third, forcing the third overtime contest of the series.

Stars goaltender Magnus Hellberg was stellar, stopping 30 of 31 shots to earn the win, continuing his strong relief performance from Game Four. Šilovs, credited with the loss, turned aside 23 of 25 shots for the Canucks. “When you’re in the final four, everyone is structured, everyone is detailed. Trying to outlast your opponent in those areas,” Graham added.

The Stars now head to Abbotsford, looking to force a decisive Game Seven and complete an improbable comeback in their quest for the Calder Cup.