PEORIA, Ill – The Stars were defeated by Peoria 3-2 Wednesday night in front of 2,668 fans at Carver Arena. Defenseman Jake Gannon scored his second goal of the season with 1:55 left in regulation to cap off a Peoria two-goal comeback. Fellow defender Nathan Oystrick started the rally with a goal midway through the third period to tie the game 2-2. Peoria goalie Jake Allen (24-18-3) made 20 saves in the win, as Texas goalie Richard Bachman (27-18-5) stopped 28 shots in the defeat. Stars forward Francis Wathier and defenseman Philip Larsen each scored in the loss, which prevented Texas from clinching a 2011 Calder Cup Playoff spot.
The two teams traded goals in the first period, with Peoria striking first at 12:31. Forward Nicholas Drazenovic scored off a rebound in the Texas crease for the 1-0 Rivermen lead. Peoria forwards T.J. Hensick and Derek Nesbitt each had an assist on Drazenovic’s 21st goal of the year. Texas countered with a power-play goal late in the opening period by Philip Larsen at 17:59. Larsen redirected a centering pass by center Aaron Gagnon with 2:01 left in the first period. Defenseman Dan Spang also added an assist on Larsen’s fourth goal of the year.
The Stars pushed ahead 2-1 at 6:13 of the second period. Left wing Francis Wathier tipped a shot from the left point by defenseman Jordie Benn. Defenseman Maxime Fortunus also had an assist on Wathier’s 19th goal of the season and Texas’ first lead of the night.
In the third period, the Rivermen surged back into the game, outshooting the Stars 12-4 in the final frame. Defenseman Nathan Oystrick blasted a slapshot from the right point at 9:54 of the period, beating Richard Bachman and tying the game 2-2. Oystrick’s 14th tally of the year was set up by Adam Cracknell and Akim Aliu. The Rivermen took the lead with 1:55 left in regulation off a shot from defenseman Jake Gannon. He tallied his second goal of the year off a floater from the right-wing boards that found its way through traffic and into the Texas net for the game-winning goal. Ian Cole and Derek Nesbitt each had an assist on the final goal of the night, giving Peoria a 3-2 win.
Texas ends a two-game road trip in Milwaukee against the Admirals on Friday, April 8 at 7:00 PM. The Stars return home to play their final regular season home game on Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 PM against the Oklahoma City Barons
Comment@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.