CEDAR PARK, Texas – Saturday night, the Texas Stars defeated the visiting Iowa Wild 2-1 thanks to a 26-save performance from rookie goaltender Ben Kraws, in his first professional game since joining the Stars from St. Lawrence University (NCAA) on an amateur tryout.
The Stars got on the board first in the first period when Fredrik Karlstrom received a pass from Matej Blumel in the high slot and put a wrist shot high blocker side past goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.
In the second period, the Stars would go up 2-0 when Emilio Pettersen skated the puck into the Wild’s zone and beat Wallstedt with a wrist shot high glove side. The goal would be Pettersen’s first goal as a Star since joining the team in a trade with the Calgary Wranglers.
In the third period, the Wild would cut the Stars lead in half when Sammy Walker collected a loose puck in the Stars crease and tapped it in making it 2-1. Despite a late-period push by the Wild the Stars would hang on to win and split the weekend series 1-1. With the win the Stars magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now 6 with 8 games remaining.
Ben Kraws saved 26 of 27 for the win.
Jesper Wallstedt saved 36 of 38 for the loss.
Check out this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Rick Crossman for highlights from the game.
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