Texas Bit by Strong Second Period by San Jose
Oct 27, 2018
CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, dropped a 6-1 decision tonight against the San Jose Barracuda who have been perfect through five road games this season. Texas opened the scoring in the game, but were upended by the Pacific Division leaders to end the week.
Michael Mersch opened the scoring for the Stars in the first period, just 1:17 into the game. Texas pressured the puck in the offensive zone and caused a turnover at the blue line. Denis Gurianov continued his hot trend, sending the puck to the net for a deflection. Mersch was wide open in front of the goal as the pair extended personal streaks to give Texas a 1-0 lead.
Mersch has now earned four goals in the last five games while Gurianov extends his point streak to seven games. The winger has tallied ten points (6-4=10) in the last seven contests, but ended his goal streak at six games.
Texas held the lead for a little more than a minute but the Barracuda jumped on a couple of chances and scored back to back goals before the four minute mark of the first period. Jayden Halbgewachs and Keaton Middleton each tallied goals a minute apart to give San Jose a lead they never relinquished.
Texas rallied for chances throughout the period and game, hitting several posts. Goaltender Antoine Bibeau finished the game with 20 saves for the Barracuda and made several big saves to keep the Stars off the board.
At the end of the first period, Texas trailed 2-1 before the Barracuda recorded their third goal to start the second. San Jose closed out the night for the Stars later in the period with three goals in less than two minutes. Colton Point was relieved by Landon Bow at the 36 minute mark of the game after making 11 saves. Bow jumped in and after allowing a goal on his first shot was perfect with nine saves.
Texas will face San Jose one more time this season as the Stars travel to California in January. The Stars hit the road this week as well for a pair of games against Ontario and Bakersfield.
Box Score
3 Stars presented by Dahill Office Technology Corporation
- Jayden Halbgewachs (SJ)
- Manuel Wiederer (SJ)
- Max Letunov (SJ)