Stars Pick Up a Point in Overtime Against First Place Utica

Dec 19, 2014

UTICA, N.Y. - In a back-and-forth duel, the Texas Stars picked up a point in the standings despite an overtime loss to the host Utica Comets on Friday night at Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Bobby Sanguinetti tallied the game-winner 1:13 into the extra frame from the right circle on a counterattack rush.  Greg Rallo tallied an assist for the Stars to extend his point streak to four games.  It was the 10th overtime game this season for Texas, tying St. John's and Oklahoma City for the most in the AHL this season.  Jussi Rynnas turned aside 28-of-31 shots for the Stars in his first action after being reassigned by the NHL's Dallas Stars earlier in the week.  Joacim Eriksson took the win with a 24-save performance for the Comets (18-5-5-0)

The Stars (10-8-8-0) continue their road trip on Saturday, with a 3 p.m. puck drop against the Toronto Marlies.

Texas opened up a 2-0 lead with a pair of first period goals as Radek Faksa scored his third of the season off Rallo's assist at 3:55.  Scott Glennie then added his third of the season off a centering feed from Brendan Ranford.  Jesse Root also tallied an assist on the goal after forcing a turnover behind the Utica net.

The offense the rest of the way belonged to the Comets as former Star Dustin Jeffrey tapped in a crossing feed at 3:03 of the second for his seventh of the season.  Brendan Gaunce knotted the game at 2-2 from the left circle at 6:39 of the third to cap off a transition rush.

The Stars went 0-for-5 on the power play, but the penalty kill unit remained hot holding the Comets scoreless in two chances.  Texas has now killed off 32 of their last 35 penalties for a 91.4% clip.

Three Stars:
1.  Bobby Sanguinetti (UTI)
2.  Dustin Jeffrey (UTI)
3.  Joacim Eriksson (UTI)

Shots:
Texas - 26
Utica - 31

Photo Credit: Lindsay Mogle