HOUSTON, Texas – The Stars were defeated by Houston 3-1 in front of 5,248 fans at the Toyota Center on Thursday night. Aeros defenseman Chay Genoway broke a 1-1 tie at 8:39 of the third period, giving his club the lead for the remainder of the contest. Forward Casey Wellman scored and added an assist, as the Aereos ended a six-game winless skid (0-3-1-2). Houston goalie Matt Hackett (14-8-4) stopped 26 of 27 Texas shots in the win. Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft (6-5-1) stopped 32 of 34, as the team slipped to 10-14-0-1 on the road this season. Texas forward Ryan Garbutt scored the team’s lone goal.
Texas scored the only goal of the first period, taking a 1-0 lead at 11:50 of the opening frame. Forward Angelo Espositio sent the puck to the Houston slot for Ryan Garbutt, who redirected the puck to the Houston net, beating goalie Matt Hackett for his 12th goal of the season. Texas winger Stephen Schultz added an assist on the game’s opening goal.
The Aeros landed the only goal of the second period, tying the game 1-1 at 14:53 of the middle stanza. Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft mishandled the puck dep in his own zone. Houston forward Casey Wellman stole the puck and slipped it into the open Texas net for his 14th goal of the year.
Aeros defenseman Chay Genoway broke the tie game at 8:39 of the third period. Genoway blasted a slapshot from the point, sending the puck through traffic and into the Texas net for his third goal of the year and a 2-1 Houston lead. Forwards Casey Wellman and Justin Fontaine set up the power-play goal. Left wing Joel Broda added an empty-net goal at 19:42 for the 3-1 final score.
The Stars return home to host Charlotte at 7:00 p.m. at Cedar Park Center on Saturday, February 4th.
Contact David.Sturm@prohockeynews.com
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