Ice Hogs Squeak Past Stars 6-5 in Overtime

Jan 8, 2012

Goalie Spratt Released Prior to the Game, Stars Host Heat at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday

Cedar Park, TX - The Texas Stars (15-16-1-2, 33 points) were defeated by the Rockford IceHogs (13-19-1-3, 30 points) 6-5 in overtime in front of 5,179 fans at the Cedar Park Center on Sunday. Rockford center Brandon Pirri scored the game-winning goal just 1:02 into overtime. Five Texas skaters had multi-point nights in the OT defeat. Center Scott Glennie put up two goals and an assist, while left wing Matt Fraser and defenseman Brad Lukowich each registered a goal and an assist. Forwards Colton Sceviour and Travis Morin both had two assists for the Stars. Texas goalie Tyler Beskorowany (6-10-0) stopped 29 of 35 shots as the Stars fell to 7-7-1-1 at home. IceHogs’ forwards Ben Smith and Rob Flick each registered a goal and an assist in the win. Rockford goalie Carter Hutton (4-4-1) stopped 20 of 25 shots as the IceHogs improved to 7-8-1-2 on the road. Texas faces the Abbotsford Heat on Wednesday at 7:30 P.M at Cedar Park Center.


Texas started the scoring early in the first period as center Scott Glennie put in his fifth goal of the season at 1:24. Forwards Francis Wathier and Colton Sceviour each assisted on the first goal of the night. Rockford responded at 3:16 as center Byron Froese slipped the puck past Beskorowany to tie the game 1-1. Defenseman Joe Lavin and center David Gilbert helped on the play. The IceHogs quickly grabbed a 2-1 lead at 4:22. Right wing Ben Smith scored the goal with an assist from defenseman Ryan Stanton. The Stars’ answered at 16:04 to tie the game 2-2. Defenseman Brad Lukowich fired a shot from the center point on the power play. Center Scott Glennie and right wing Colton Sceviour set up the late first-period goal.

Rockford continued the scoring in the second period with an early shorthanded goal from right wing Brandon Segal. Left wing Philippe Paradis and goalie Carter Hutton each had an assist at 1:25, taking a 3-2 lead. The Stars’ tied the game 3-3 midway through the second frame at 10:13. Left wing Matt Fraser took a shot from the right circle, notching his 19th goal of the year. Defenseman Brad Lukowich and center Travis Morin each assisted on the power play. Texas netted another power-play goal to take a 4-2 lead as center Ryan Garbutt fired the puck past Hutton. Morin and Fraser set up the goal, giving Texas its third power-play goal of the night.

The IceHogs tied the game at 3:35 of the third period with a shot from defenseman Dylan Olsen. Left wing Brandon Bolig and center Rob Flick helped tie the game 4-4. Texas responded as Scott Glennie fought his way through traffic, lifting a shot past Hutton and putting the Stars back on top at 5-4. Defensemen Brenden Dillon and Hubert Labrie each registered an assist at 7:20. Rockford bounced back to tie the game 5-5 with 2:24 remaining in regulation. Center Rob Flick supplied the goal with help from defenseman Brian Fahey and center Brett McLean.

Rockford center Brandon Pirri scored the game-winning goal at 1:02 of the extra frame. Defenseman Brian Connelly and right wing Ben Smith each added an assist, ending the game at 6-5.

Prior to the game, Texas released goalie Jimmy Spratt from a PTO (professional tryout agreement). Spratt played in two games for Texas, going 1-1-0 with a 2.02 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. Spratt is a third-year pro who started the season with the Idaho, going 5-5-0 with a 2.95 goals against average and a .920 save percentage over 12 games. He split last season between Toledo and Victoria of the ECHL, as well as Rapid City of the CHL. In all, Spratt made 20 appearances, going 9-7-1 with a 3.91 goals against average and a .873 save percentage. The Calgary Flames drafted the 26-year old in the seventh round (#213 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

The Stars host the Abbotsford Heat at home on Wednesday, January 11th at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday is an H-E-B Night and a “Winning Wednesday”. Fans are encouraged to bring any HEB store brand non-perishable food item to the game and receive $5 off their ticket price. Also, if the Stars win, all fans at the game on Jan. 11 will receive a ticket to the Stars home game on Feb. 8 against Milwaukee. Texas will embark on a four-game road trip from January 13 – 18, making stops in Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Chicago and Rockford. Texas will return home on January 20 to host Peoria at 7:30 p.m.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available online at www.TexasStarsHockey.com or by calling 512.GO.STARS (467.8277). 

2011-12 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.

--Texas Stars--