Rhett Gardner scored a power play goal with 1:25 remaining in the game to lift the Texas Stars to a 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Admirals Saturday at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
The loss extended the Admirals winless skid to three games (0-2-0-1). It was the Admirals first loss, in regulation time, to Texas in seven games this season (5-1-0-1).
With Milwaukee defenseman Alex Biega in the box, the Stars went on the power play for the fourth time in the contest. Jordan Kawaguchi’s shot from the left circle was stopped by Admirals goalie Devin Cooley, but Gardner slammed the rebound into the goal at 18:35 for the game-winning marker.
The teams were unable to score in the first period, but combined for four goals in the second. Texas scored the first marker with a Curtis McKenzie power play goal at 6:48. It was his 100th goal as a member of the Stars.
Milwaukee tied the game at 8:06 of the second period. Jake McLaughlin’s shot from the left circle caromed off goalie Adam Scheel’s shoulder, then off the glass behind Scheel, to Cole Smith. Smith tucked the puck into the net on the right post for his 15th goal of the season. McLaughlin and Brayden Burke earned the assists.
The Stars took a 2-1 lead at 14:16 of the second frame when Kawaguchi’s shot from the left circle sailed past the glove of Milwaukee goalie Cooley.
The Ads tied the game at 17:21 of the second stanza. Milwaukee weaved with the puck at the offensive blue line. Defenseman Matt Donovan was able to find a lane and shot from the right circle. Scheel made the stop, but Dylan Blujus drove from the point to the net and slapped the rebound into the goal for his first tally of the season. Cody Glass, who was also at the front of the net, and Donovan were awarded assists on Blujus’ first goal since May 16, 2021 (the last regular season game of the 2020-21 season) as a member of the Rochester Americans.
The Admirals conclude a four-game road trip Tuesday at Rockford. Milwaukee returns home Fri., Apr. 1 to host the Chicago Wolves at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
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