Stars Capitalize in the Third to Top Grand Rapids, 4-3
Nov 18, 2016
Boxscore
Photos
Shots:
Stars - 30
Griffins - 44
Lagace Stops 41 Shots in Net for Texas
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Maxime Lagace turned in a 41-save performance and Matej Stransky buried the game-winner late in period three to lift the Texas Stars to a 4-3 road win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday night in front of 7,510 in attendance at Van Andel Arena.
Stransky’s goal came with 2:40 remaining in regulation on a one-timer in the slot. Matt Lorito tallied a three-point game for the Griffins with a goal and two helpers. Friday’s game was Lagace’s second 40-save performance of the season after stopping 43 in the second game of the season, the Stars snapped a 10-game losing skid to Grand Rapids in the regular season with the win.
The Stars (8-6-1-0) close out their Midwestern weekend on Saturday when they visit the Rockford IceHogs at 7 p.m. CST.
Travis Morin tallied the equalizer midway through the third on a wrist shot from the left circle for his sixth of the season and his fourth straight game with a point. Both Morin and Stransky are tied for the team-lead with 13 points this season.
The Stars fell into a 3-1 hole after two thanks to three power play goals from the Griffins (9-5-0-0). After Texas opened the scoring five minutes into the game on an awkward bounce to give Jason Dickinson his second of the season, Tomas Nosek answered back midway through the first with power play deflection goal to tie the score at 1-1.
Lorito touched home a loose puck at 7:18 of the second to give Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead on a 5-on-3 power play, and set up Martin Frk’s one-time goal in the left circle at 12:46 for another man-advantage strike. From there, Texas mounted their third-period comeback behind 16 saves from Lagace in the final frame.
Jared Coreau stopped 26 of 30 shots in net to suffer the loss for the Griffins. Grand Rapids was 3-for-6 on the power play, and Texas went 0-for-1. The shots favored the Griffins, 44-30.
Dickinson’s awkward goal came on a clearing effort went rolling down the middle the Griffins’ zone. As Coreau went to poke the puck away, instead it chipped into the air and over the goaltender’s shoulder for a 1-0 Texas lead.
Weekday home games (Monday-Thursday) are H-E-B night with the Texas Stars where fans can donate a non-perishable item at the box office and save five dollars on their ticket purchase. Every Saturday is a Texas Lottery Lucky Row Night where the first Stars player to score wins free scratch-off tickets for a lucky row of seats at H-E-B Center. Fans can also enjoy Coke Zero Family Four-Packs every Saturday with four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks starting at just $16 per person.
The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, and are currently playing their eighth season at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Full season, 24-game, 12-game and six-game ticket packages for the 2016-17 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com.
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Three Stars:
1. Stransky (TEX)
2. Lorito (GR)
3. Dickinson (TEX)
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Goaltenders:
W - Lagace
L - Coreau
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Photo Credit: Grand Rapids Griffins