McKenzie, Stars Take Down Rampage in 4-3 Win

Nov 15, 2017

Boxscore Photos Video Three Stars: 1. Mangene (TEX) 2. McKenzie (TEX) 3. Morin (TEX) Shots: Stars - 30 Rampage - 29 Goaltenders: W - Bow L - Martin

CEDAR PARK, Texas - Matt Mangene scored the game-winning goal while Curtis McKenzie had two power-play goals to lead the Texas Stars to a 4-3 win over the rival San Antonio Rampage Wednesday night at the H-E-B Center.

Mangene's game-winner came with 6:35 remaining in the game and was his fourth of the season. McKenzie's two power-play goals came just hours after he was named Captain of the Stars. Travis Morin extended his point streak to four games for Texas with a pair of assists.

The Stars (8-7-0-1) and Rampage (9-5-1-0) face off in a Saturday rematch at 7 p.m. CST at AT&T Center.

Things got off to a rocky start for the Stars as the Rampage scored just 28 seconds into the game on a rebound goal by Felix Gerard. Texas responded on their first man-advantage opportunity of the night at 13:32 of the first when McKenzie tapped in a loose puck on the doorstep.

Sheldon Dries appeared to put the Stars up 2-1 early in the second, but his deflection goal was called off because of a high-stick. The Rampage took advantage of the break with AJ Greer's counterattack goal 5:43 into the period for a 2-1 Rampage lead. Less than three minutes later, McKenzie would tie it up again on another tap-in goal, but Alex Belzile would put the visitors up again with a power-play goal at 11:40.

As the seconds closed out on the middle period, Roope Hintz hustled down a loose puck in the circle of the San Antonio zone and snapped his four goal of the season past Spencer Martin to make it a 3-3 game entering the third.

Mangene's game-winner came on a backhand effort at the front of the net from a San Antonio turnover.

Justin Dowling also assisted on McKenzie's power-play goals. Morin's two helpers tie him with Hershey's Chris Bourque for the AHL lead.

Landon Bow stopped 26 of 29 shots in net for the Stars to earn his third win. Martin finished 23 of 27 for the Rampage after coming on in the middle of the first to relieve starter Ville Husso, who left with an apparent injury.

The Stars finished the game 2-for-5 on the power play while the Rampage finished 1-for-3.