CEDAR PARK, Texas – Despite a slow start that gave the San Antonio Rampage an early 2-0 lead, the Texas Stars used a three-goal third period and an OT breakaway goal to seal an exciting 5-4 win. Devon Shore’s goal 1:44 into the sudden-death frame sent 5,913 fans home happy from the Cedar Park Center.
Devon Shore celebrates his game-winner with Brendon Ranford.
Photo by Christina Shapiro
With the score tied at four due to an extra man goal by San Antonio’s Ben Street late in the third period, Stephen Johns flipped the puck down the ice and found Shore ahead of the Rampage defense. Shore faked to his backhand, then pushed the puck past goaltender Calvin Pickard for the win.
“Johns did a great job with the flip pass and we got a bounce on it,” Head Coach Derek Laxdal said. “You have to battle for every point you get and we battled hard for the extra point tonight.”
The OT was unusual because San Antonio had a four-on-three man-advantage due to a tripping penalty by Shore near the end of the third period. The Stars killed the penalty and Shore was able to put himself in position for the breakaway when he left the penalty box. The teams never got into the new three-on-three format due to the penalty.
“I knew we were four-on-four and I knew everybody was tired,” Johns said. “I saw Shore come out of the box and I saw him take off. I tried to get it to him and luckily it worked out.”
Andres Agozzino and Maxim Noreau got the Rampage on the board in the first period, giving them a 2-0 lead. Radek Faksa scored the first of his two goals 25 seconds into the second period to close the gap to one, but a five-on-three power play goal by Dennis Everberg gave the Rampage their second two-goal lead.
Texas scored three third period goals, including two by Brendan Ranford and Faksa’s second goal of the game.
John Muse had 33 saves and earned the win in his Stars debut. Pickard took the loss.
Texas went 0-for-2 on the power play and San Antonio finished 2-for-5.
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
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