CEDAR PARK, Texas – Friday night, the Texas Stars defeated the visiting Iowa Wild 6-2 thanks to five straight goals and a 36-save performance from Magnus Hellburg.
The Stars scored first at 10:01 in the first period when, just 18 seconds into the power play Cameron Hughes tapped in a backdoor pass from Matej Blümel. Iowa tied the game a little over three minutes later when, on a 5-on-3 man advantage, Brendan Gaunce put a one-timer from the slot past Hellberg. The Stars regained the lead when Kyle Capobianco sent an off-balance one-timer shot bouncing past Iowa goaltender Samuel Hlavaj.
The Stars added to their lead in the second period with a pair of power play goals from Arttu Hyry both assisted by Antonio Stranges. The Stars would take a 4-1 lead into the third period.
In the third period, the Stars continued to add to their lead with another two goals this time from Antonio Stranges and Jack Becker extending their lead to five goals. The Wild would get on the board again at 15:44 in the third when Will Zmolek netted his first career AHL goal on a wrist shot from the point past a heavily screened Hellberg. Despite outshooting the Stars 13-6 in the third period the Wild would not be able to generate any other offense and the Stars would go on to win 6-2.
Magnus Hellberg continues undefeated as a Star with his third straight win. Samuel Hlavaj dropped to 0-2 on the season.
Check out this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Rick Crossman for highlights from the game.
