Stars Take Down First Place Abbotsford 3-1
December 15, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release
ABBOTSFORD, BC - Reilly Smith had a goal and an assist, fellow rookie Taylor Vause scored his first goal of the season and Cody Eakin also had two points as the Texas Stars beat the first place Abbotsford Heat 3-1 Friday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.
The first period was a scoreless affair as the Stars killed off the only two penalties of the frame and the two teams combined for just nine shots on goal.
Offense took over in the second period as Texas out-shot the Heat and grabbed the lead. Reilly Smith scored a power play goal at the five-minute mark, assisted by Tomas Vincour and Cody Eakin as the Stars took a 1-0 lead. The goal was Smith's sixth of the year and just the eighth power play goal allowed by Abbotsford this season. The Heat struck back at 12:52 as Brady Lamb's slap shot caught the inside of the right post and in, his first pro goal, tying the game at one and sparking the teddy bear toss. After about a ten minute delay to clear the ice of stuffed bears, the Stars reclaimed the lead. Rookie forward Taylor Vause picked up a loose rebound from an Antoine Roussel shot and lifted he puck over the right pad of Danny Taylor and into the roof of the net from a very sharp angle. The goal, assisted by Roussel and Mike Hedden, was Vause's first of the season and came at 16:21. Texas continued their pressure and extended the lead to 3-1 at 18:20. Eakin tipped a backhand shot by Alex Chiasson through the legs of Taylor for his eighth goal of the year, with Chiasson and Smith picking up the assists. The Stars out-shot the Heat 18-5 in the second period.
No goals came in the third period as after controlling their zone for much of the frame, the Stars found themselves digging in on the penalty kill in the final four minutes. With a 28-second two-man advantage, Abbotsford pulled Taylor for a six-on-three power play. Taylor never returned to the crease, nor did Texas score on the empty net, as the game ended 3-1 Stars.
Cristopher Nilstorp picked up his ninth win of the season by stopping 20-of-21 shots in goal for Texas, while Danny Taylor had 24 saves on 27 shots in the loss for Abbotsford. The Stars out-shot the Heat 27-21 in the game and went 1-for-6 on the power play; Abbotsford was 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
The Texas Stars will complete their two-game road trip against Abbotsford on Saturday, December 15th as with a 9:00 p.m. CST opening faceoff at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Spots Centre. The Stars' next home game is scheduled for Wednesday, December 19th against the San Antonio Rampage at 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Park Center for another Winning Wednesday and H-E-B Night. Pro-rated full and partial 2012-13 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.
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