AHL Texas Stars

Resiliant Stars Edge Wolves 6-5 in Overtime of Game 7

Published on May 11, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


Rosemont, IL - The Texas Stars (8-3) defeated the Chicago Wolves (7-7) 6-5 in overtime on Tuesday night in front of 3,958 fans at the Allstate Arena in Game 7 of the West Division Finals. Right wing Jamie Benn beat Chicago goalie Drew MacIntyre 4:57 into overtime, lifting the Stars over the Wolves and into the Western Conference Finals. Texas overcame a pair of two-goal deficits and a one-goal deficit with 10:15 left in the third period to defeat the Wolves in the 15th Game 7 in AHL history to go into overtime. Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson and Maxime Fortunus each scored third-period goals to complete the Texas comeback. Fortunus finished with a goal and two assists. The Stars outshot the Wolves 24-6 in the third period and overtime combined. Forwards Travis Morin, Scott McCulloch and Aaron Gagnon also posted goals in the first Game 7 in Texas history. Stars goalie Matt Climie (1-0) made 24 stops in his first postseason win of the 2010 Calder Cup playoffs. Chicago goalie Drew MacIntyre (1-2) made 47 saves in the loss. The Stars begin the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals in Hamilton on Friday. Game 1 is schedule for Friday, May 14th at 7:30 PM (EDT).

The first period featured a pair of goals for both sides over a wild two minutes of play. Chicago opened the scoring with the first two goals of the night, starting the scoring with Spencer Machacek's sixth goal of the playoffs and a 1-0 Wolves lead. Machacek played the puck from behind the Texas net off the skate of goalie Matt Climie, giving Chicago the lead at 3:22. Chicago added to its lead one minute later as Brett Sterling scored his fourth goal of the series at 4:22 for the 2-0 Wolves lead. Sterling picked up his own rebound and squeezed the puck past Stars goalie Matt Climie for a two-goal lead. The Stars countered with a pair of goals in 20 seconds, tying the game 2-2. First, Landon Wilson was stuffed on a breakaway shot at 4:55, but Travis Morin swooped in and put the rebound in for his third goal of the postseason, trimming the Stars deficit to 2-1. The Stars tied the game 2-2 just 20 seconds later with another goal. Rookie Scott McCulloch picked up a rebound off a Maxime Fortunus shot and scored the first Calder Cup playoff goal of his career at 5:15. The Wolves claimed the lead prior to the end of the opening frame. Machacek stole the puck from a Stars defenseman and raced in for a shorthanded breakaway. Machacek snapped a wrist shot five-hole at 18:09, giving Chicago a 3-2 lead after one period of play.

In the second period, the Wolves doubled their lead just 2:16 into the middle frame. Joey Crabb sent a cross-ice pass to the Stars crease, catching a streaking Tim Stapleton for the 4-2 Wolves lead. Stapleton's fourth goal of the playoffs was also assisted by Matt Anderson. Texas countered midway through the second period at 9:10. Defenseman Trevor Ludwig sprung center Aaron Gagnon for a breakaway. Gagnon cruised in on Chicago goalie Drew MacIntyre, beating him five-hole for the 4-3 Wolves lead.

In the third period, the Stars clawed their way back into the game at 4:09 of the final frame. Defenseman Maxime Fortunus ripped a one-timer past Chicago's MacIntyre, scoring his second goal of the playoffs and tying the game 4-4. Chicago answered back at 9:45 of the third period, regaining a 5-4 lead. Sterling played the puck to the Stars net and it bounced off a Texas defender. Center Jason Krog lifted a backhander off the cross-bar and into the Texas net for his fifth goal of the playoffs, giving the Wolves a one-goal lead. Texas tied the game once again, knotting the scoreboard 5-5. Fortunus sent the puck along the blueline for Andrew Hutchinson in the Chicago zone. Hutchinson blasted a one-timer past Wolves goalie MacIntyre, scoring his fourth goal of the playoffs and tying the game 5-5, forcing sudden-death overtime.

In overtime, the Stars outshot the Wolves 9-2 and continually pressured the Chicago net. Jamie Benn won a battle along the left-wing wall in the Wolves zone. Benn snapped a shot from the bottom of the left-wing circle that deflected off the pads of goalie Drew MacIntyre and into the net at 4:57, giving Texas the 6-5 overtime victory.

West Division Finals Schedule (best of seven)

Game 1 - Texas 4 at Chicago 3 (OT)

Game 2 - Texas 3 at Chicago 4 (OT) Game 3 - Chicago 5 at Texas 3 Game 4 - Chicago 2 at Texas 3 Game 5 - Chicago 3 at Texas 5 Game 6 - Texas 0 at Chicago 2 Game 7 - Texas 6 at Chicago 5 (OT) (TEX wins series 4-3)

To purchase a Calder Cup playoff package, which offers fans the same seat for all 16 possible home games, fans may call 512-GO-STARS. To rent a suite for a home playoff game or book a group, those interested may call 512-GO-STARS. Individual tickets for playoff games at Cedar Park Center also can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, visiting any Ticketmaster outlet or the Cedar Park Center box office, or online at ticketmaster.com.

2010-11 Season ticket packages to see the Stars play in their second season at the Cedar Park Center are on sale now, starting as low as $12.00 a seat. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.

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American Hockey League Stories from May 11, 2010


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