Mckenzie Scores Twice but Wolves Hold Off Stars

Nov 7, 2026

CEDAR PARK, Texas— The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, saw Curtis McKenzie score his first two goals of the season, but the Chicago Wolves held off the Stars third-period comeback effort in a 5-2 tilt Saturday at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

Texas had three power plays in the first period but couldn’t capitalize. Chicago took advantage while short-handed with two minutes left in the first frame when Texas had a miscommunication and Gabriel Seger fired a shot from the blue line into the open cage.

Chicago doubled their lead with six minutes left in the second frame. Viktor Neuchev fed Evan Vierling in the crease, and he stuffed the puck over the goal line.

The Wolves added a third goal four minutes later. Felix Unger Sorum won a puck battle in the neutral zone and snapped a shot from the top of the left circle. Juha Jaaska tipped it past Brandon Halverson to make it 3-0 after the second period.

Texas got on the board, courtesy of McKenzie, three minutes into the third period. McKenzie skated into a loose puck in the right circle and ripped a wrist shot off the pad of Zach Sawchenko, he slid home the rebound for his first goal of the season.

Chicago answered quickly as they hemmed the Stars into their defensive zone, and Neuchev found the puck in a maze of bodies to extend the Wolves lead to 4-1.

The Stars were awarded a five-minute power play with eight minutes to go. McKenzie scored his second of the game with seven minutes left in the third. The captain battled his way to a loose puck in the crease, powering it over the goal line for his first two-goal game since March 13, 2024.

Texas pulled Halverson for an extra attacker, but Josiah Slavin hit the empty net to seal the victory for Chicago.

Halverson made 21 saves in the loss, while Sawchenko allowed two goals on 29 shots in the win.  

The Stars will host the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Tickets are on sale now at www.texasstars.com/tickets. 

The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com. 

Photo Credit: Logan Foust / Texas Stars
 

Game Info	Shots	Goaltenders	3 Stars (Ubeo Business Services)
Boxscore	TEX: 29	W: Sawchenko (CHI)	1: Sawchenko (CHI)
Photo	CHI: 26	L: Halverson (TEX)	2: McKenzie (TEX)
			3: Neuchev (CHI)