Stars Fall to Barons in Oklahoma City, 5-3
Oct 24, 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – A three-goal second period for the Oklahoma City Barons was the difference on Friday night in the Texas Stars’ 5-3 loss at Cox Convention Center.
The loss was the first of the season for the Stars (3-1-0-0), who outshot the Barons (1-2-1-0) in the game 42-26. Travis Morin appeared in his 349th career game, passing Colton Sceviour for the top spot in franchise history. The forward also tallied a goal and an assist in the contest for his 200th career AHL assist and 300th career AHL point.
Iiro Pakarinen scored a pair of power play goals for Oklahoma City in the win, including his first at 6:53 of the second period to start the three-goal run for the home team. Curtis Hamilton at 7:21 and Tyler Pitlick at 11:20 scored the other two second period goals to put the Barons in front, 4-1.
With just over a minute remaining in the middle frame, John Klingberg buried a rebound goal for his second of the season to close the deficit to two for the Stars.
Pakarinen scored again from the top of the slot at 6:11 of the third to extend the Barons lead to 5-2. After Morin’s tally, the Stars pulled their goaltender in the game’s final minutes for a 6-on-4 advantage on the power play, but Oklahoma City goaltender Frans Tuohimma shut the door for his first win of the season. He finished with 39 saves.
Jack Campbell of the Stars took the loss, stopping 21-of-26.
Cameron Gaunce for Texas and Jason Williams for the Barons each scored first period goals. The Stars finished 1-for-6 on the power play. Oklahoma City went 2-for-6.
The Stars and Barons complete their home-and-home series Saturday night in Cedar Park, Tex.. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. and Texas will wear specialty red, white and blue jerseys as part of their Stars and Stripes Military Appreciation event.
Three Stars:
1. Iiro Pakarinen (OKC)
2. Tyler Pitlick (OKC)
3. Jason Willams (OKC)
The Texas Stars entered the 2014-15 season as the AHL’s defending Calder Cup Champions. Single-game tickets and season ticket packages for the 2014-15 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStarsHockey.com<http://www.TexasStarsHockey.com>.
Photo Credit: Steven Christy/Oklahoma City Barons