Roope Hintz celebrates his game-winner
Photo credit Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars
CEDAR PARK, Texas — Roope Hintz scored with just 8.5 seconds remaining in the first overtime period to lead the Stars to their third Calder Cup finals and Robert W. Clarke trophy in their nine year history.
“The last goal exemplifies the group that we are,” Head Coach Derek Laxdal Said of the Stars. “We’re not a fancy team. We just grind it out.”
This game was mostly about spectacular goaltending. Stars goalie Mike McKenna stopped 38 of 39 shots while Rockford goals Jeff Glass stopped 38 of 40 shots while nearly 6000 fans looked on.
The teams played scoreless hockey in the first period despite putting 22 combined shots on goal.
The Stars took the lead halfway through period two when Sheldon Dries centered the puck from behind the net that bounced off the back of Glass.
Jeff Glass makes spectacular save
Photo credit Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars
Rockford pulled Glass with a little over two minutes remaining in the third period and Chris DiDomenico took advantage of the extra man with a goal with just 1:34 remaining to send the game into overtime. It was the 37th time this season that the Stars have played an overtime game.
Neither team committed a penalty.
“There probably could have been a call or two,” Laxdal said. “But the guys played real disciplined on both sides.”
Travis Morin, who has been with the team since its inception, will play in his third Calder Cup finals. Justin Dowling and Curtis McKenzie played with Morin on the 2014 team that won the cup.
The Stars will take on the Toronto Marlies beginning on Saturday in Toronto.
“We’re gonna enjoy a day off,” Laxdal said, “then head on up to Toronto for game one on Saturday.”
The remainder of the schedule follows:
Game 2 – Sun., June 3 – Texas at Toronto, 3:00 p.m. CT
Game 3 – Tue., June 5 – Toronto at Texas, 7:00 p.m. CT
Game 4 – Thu., June 7 – Toronto at Texas, 7:00 p.m. CT
*Game 5 – Sat., June 9 – Toronto at Texas, 7:00 p.m. CT
*Game 6 – Tue., June 12 – Texas at Toronto, 6:00 p.m. CT
*Game 7 – Thu., June 14 – Texas at Toronto, 6:00 p.m. CT
*if necessary
Mitch Cooper is the Managing Editor for PHN and can be reached at mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
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