Stars Can't Contain Rampage Rally, Lose 3-2 in SO

Texas went into San Antonio this evening looking to close out their road trip strong with a W. In the tight West Division, a three point game was, especially a shootout loss, was far from an ideal situation. The Stars gave up three separate leads in the game, including a 2 goal lead in the shootout, to give San Antonio its 6th SOW of the year.

Texas started Tyler Beskorowany opposite San Antonio's Matt Climie. The first goal was on Climie by Luke Gazdic just past the halfway point of the first. Maxime Goncharov tried to clear a puck out of the zone that ended up in Luke's chest, which he batted down and swooped in on to score. Gazdic's finish at the net has really improved, which is evidenced by his career high 9 goals this year.

San Antonio got it back on a nice passing play from Alexandre Picard to former Star Garrett Stafford. Picard passed from behind the goal line to the right wing side of the net, where a streaking Stafford buried a shot on the back door. The goal, less than 2 minutes into the 2nd, was Stafford's 12th of the year.

Texas completed a similar play for their second goal with Brandon Segal getting a pass over to Dan Spang, who also crept down off the point, to beat Matt Climie for his 9th of the year. Texas continued to hold down the fort until the end of the 3rd period.

With just under 5 minutes left in the game, it was another former Star, Ned Lukacevic, scoring to even things up at two. Lukacevic spent a few games with Texas in the late season last year as a PTO, but has stayed on with the Rampage consistently since mid=January.

Texas would play through overtime scoreless and take it to the shootout. San Antonio was previously flawless in the skills competition and would not change their streak this evening. Colton Sceviour and Francis Wathier scored for the Stars to take an early 2-0 lead, but Viktor Tikhonov and Brett MacLean scored in the back half to even it up and take the SO to extra rounds. In the 7th, Randy Robataille scored while Gagnon failed to do the same, and San Antonio earned the extra standings point.

Tonight's lines:
Neal-Gagnon-Rallo
Wathier-Sceviour-Sawada
Segal-Roman-Tousignant
Gazdic-Backman-Chupp

Lukowich-Monast
Benn-Fortunus
Stephenson-Spang

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Bonk, McCulloch (scratched)
Larsen, Morin, Krahn (lower body)
Vincour (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 10,447.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - February 26 2011

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