SECOND-PERIOD SURGE LEADS BARONS PAST STARS

Feb 22, 2012

Texas Welcomes Rival Houston Friday and Saturday

Oklahoma City, OK - The Texas Stars (23-26-2-2, 50 points) were defeated by the Oklahoma City Barons (34-14-2-1, 73 points) 5-1 in front of 2,259 fans at the Cox Convention Center on Wednesday night. Forward Mark Arcobello led the way with two goals and two assists as the Barons picked up their fourth win of the season over Texas. Oklahoma City goalie David LeNeveu (13-6-2) did the rest, stopping 31 shots to preserve the win. After Texas defenseman Jordie Benn gave his team a 1-0 lead midway through the first period, Oklahoma City answered back with five straight goals to improve to 15-9-2-2 at home this season. Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft (8-8-1) stopped 14 of 18 shots, but he was pulled after giving up the fourth goal of the night in 32:25 of work. Goalie Tyler Beskorowany made 16 saves on 17 shots in a relief effort. Texas returns home for a pair of games with Houston at the Cedar Park Center, starting Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and continuing on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

The two teams traded power-play goals in the first period of play. The Stars opened the scoring at 9:36 of the first period with a power-play goal by Jordie Benn. His ninth goal of the season gave Texas a 1-0 lead and was assisted by captain Brad Lukowich. The Barons took advantage of a five-one-three power play late in the opening stanza. Center Mark Arcobello snapped the puck to Texas net, tying the game 1-1. The puck deflected off a Texas defender and into the Stars goal at 19:55 of the period. Defenseman Taylor Chorney added an assist on his team’s first goal of the night.

Oklahom City charged into the second period, scoring just 1:19 into the frame. Right wing Ryan Keller snapped a shot from the high-slot in the Texas zone. His 17th goal of the year sifted through traffic for the 2-1 Barons’ lead. Mark Arcobello and Phillippe Cornet each had an assist on the goal. Oklahoma City enjoyed a 3-1 lead at 4:33 of the second period. Forward Teemu Hartikainen tipped a slap shot from defenseman Bryan Helmer for his 13th goal of the year. The Barons closed out their second-period scoring at 12:25 of the stanza, taking a 4-1 lead. Mark Arcobello snapped his second goal of the night and 11th goal of the year, over the glove of Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft, who was pulled after the goal with 14 saves on 18 shots in 32:25 of work. Tyler Beskorowany finished the period with four saves in 7:25 of work.

In the third period, the Barons added an insurance goal at 7:50 of the period. Winger Triston Grant blasted a one-timer past Beskorowany for his ninth goal of the year and a 5-1 final score.

The Stars return home for a two-game home stand against the Houston Aeros. Friday’s game is set for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff and it is presented by Community Impact Newspapers. Friday is also a 3-2-1 night, featuring $3 domestic drafts, $2 sodas, and $1 hot dogs. The first 2,500 fans to Friday’s game will receive a player magnet courtesy of Time Warner Cable. Texas faces off against Houston at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25th. Saturday features the State Farm Family Four Pack, consisting of four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas, starting at $48. The first 2,500 fans to Saturday’s game will also receive a Texas Stars gym bag courtesy of Living Direct.

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--