Texas Stars take wind out of Admiral’s sails

CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars scored two goals in the last four minutes of the third period, and then put the game away with an overtime goal.   The 3-2 win gives the Stars a 2-1 lead in their first round series with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Milwaukee totally outplayed Texas in the first period, outshooting them 12-6 and scoring the period’s only goal at 3:36 when Texas goaltender Richard Bachman misplayed the puck. Chris Mueller scored the goal with help from Grant Lewis and Scott Ford.
“I thought they outplayed us in the first and they did get some puck luck,” Stars’ Head coach Glen Gulutzan said. “But you have to work to create that luck and I thought they did in the first.”
Texas came out of the locker room on fire in the second period, putting 11 shots on Admiral’s goaltender Jeremy Smith and holding Milwaukee to one shot. Texas failed to score on five power play chances in the period, however, allowing Milwaukee to maintain their 1-0 lead.
The Admirals extended their lead to 2-0 just 34 seconds into the third period when Gabriel Bourque beat Bachman. Teemu Laakso and Roman Josi assisted.
The stars continued its onslaught of shots, but couldn’t solve Smith until they scored on their sixth power play of the game. Travis Morin passed the puck behind the net to Ray Sawada who found Philip Larsen in front of the net at 15:51.

Texas pulled Bachman for the extra skater and Team Captain Brad Lukowich teamed up with Morin and Greg Rallo to tie the game with just 20 seconds left in the period, sending the crowd of over 5,300 into a frenzy.
“Morin made an incredible play,” Lukowich said. “He held onto the puck and made the right decision and for me I just had to get it in front and it was a puck with eyes.”
Both teams had opportunities to put the game away in overtime, but the goaltenders stood tall and made some great saves. But it was Texas who scored the game-winner to steal victory from the jaws of what earlier appeared to be sure defeat. Travis Morin scored the game-winner at 8:44 from Max Fortunus and Brenden Dillon.
Morin had a goal and two assists and was the game’s first star. Lukowich was the number two star and Milwaukee’s Bourque was the third star.
The devastating loss puts Milwaukee in a 2-1 hole and they have to turn right around and play game four in Texas Wednesday night. Game five is Friday, also in Texas.
“We won’t have much time to think about this loss,” Admiral’s Assistant Coach Ian Herbers     said. “We just have to come out tomorrow night and do our jobs.”
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com