AHL Texas Stars

Stars Win Marathon Shootout 4-3

Published on December 2, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


PEORIA, IL - Rookie right wing Alex Chiasson scored in the tenth round of the shootout, lifting the Texas Stars to a 4-3 win over the Peoria Rivermen Sunday afternoon at Carver Arena.

Peoria struck first at 15:05 of the opening period as Cristopher Nilstorp blocked a shot from Mark Cundari, but could not find the rebound and Tyler Shattock got just enough of the puck to dribble it into the net. The Rivermen doubled their lead two and a half minutes later on a power play goal from Derek Nesbitt, who one-timed a pass from T.J. Hensick into the net from the high slot.

Texas seemed to be feeling the fatigue of playing three games in three days as they managed on three shots on goal in the second period. However, that third shot found the net and sparked some life in the weary road warriors. Cam Barker fired a wrist shot from the blue line that evaded all the bodies in front and tucked into the top right corner of the net with 7.9 seconds left in the frame; assists went to Reilly Smith and Maxime Fortunus.

The Stars fed off of Barker's goal and drew level at 9:13 as Jordie Benn picked up a rebound off a Toby Petersen shot and stuffed the puck into the far side of the goal for his fourth goal of the season. Fourteen seconds later Texas stunned Peoria with another goal to take a 3-2 lead. Cody Eakin and Alex Chiasson sent the next faceoff over to Reilly Smith, who raced in a beat goalie Jake Allen over the blocker side shoulder at 9:27. It was the fastest two goals by the Stars this season. Texas appeared to be on the cusp of victory when Smith picked up a tripping penalty with one minute left in the game. With Allen on the bench for a six-on-four advantage, Nesbitt scored his second power play goal of the night with just 3.6 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

After a scoreless five-minute overtime session the game went to a shootout. Tomas Vincour was the first shooter to score in the last half of the third round, but he was quickly matched by Peoria's next shot by Phil McRae. The next five rounds came and went without a goal and in the tenth round, after Nilstorp saved a Taylor Chorney effort, rookie Alex Chiasson won the game with a wrist shot off the inside of the left post; winning the shootout 2-1 and the game 4-3.

Cristopher Nilstorp set a season-high by stopping 38-of-41 shots in regulation and overtime and then denied 9-of-10 shootout attempts to record his sixth win of the season. Jake Allen made 18 saves on 21 shots and 8-of-10 in the shootout for Peoria. The Rivermen out-shot the Stars 41-22 in the game and went 2-for-4 on the power play; Texas was 0-for-2 with the man advantage.

The Texas Stars will complete their six-game road trip on Wednesday, December 5th as they travel to Wisconsin for a 7:00 p.m. showdown with the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Stars next home game is scheduled for Friday, December 7th as they host the Houston Aeros for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff. Come to Cedar Park Center for the beginning of Sing For Santa weekend and for Jack Campbell Mini Bobblehead giveaway night presented by Time Warner Cable. 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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American Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2012


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