Garrett Stafford's OT Winner gives Stars Series Opener in Chicago

A back-and-fourth game help kick off what should a great series in the West Division Finals in Chicago on Friday Night. The Stars never trailed in this one, but it wasn't out a fight as the Wolves were able to comeback from every one goal lead the Stars had in the game. Including Jamie Benn's 4th goal of the playoffs as he has been doing a strong job of helping the Stars offense is this year's Calder Cup Playoffs. Benn also got an assist on the Game Winner to give the stars the Series Opener.

Colton Sceviour & Francis Wathier also scored in the Game as both players scored their first goals of the playoffs while Brent Krahn knew he would be tested more then against Rockford. But he was still very solid as he stopped 32 of 35 shots in the Game 1 win. While Wolves goalie Peter Mannino stopped 24 of 28 shots despite the loss.

This is a clear indicator that we are going to expect a very close series throughout. Don't be surprised to see at-least a couple of OT Games mixed in and possibly some multi OT Games as well in this series. The winner of this series will play the North Division Final Winner between the Hamilton Bulldogs & Abbotsford Heat.

From the Texas Stars Website: www.texasstarshockey.com

From Chicago, Illinois: The Texas Stars defeated the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in OT in front of 3576 fans at the Allstate Arena. Defensemen Garrett Stafford scored a power-play goal 2:22 into the 1st Overtime to give the Stars the 4-3 victory. The Stars now lead the best-of-7 series 1-0. Texas Goalie Brent Krahn made 32 saves in the teams fifth straight playoff win. Rookie forward Jamie Benn scored and assisted on the Game Winner in OT for the Stars.

Colton Sceviour and Francis Wathier also scored as Texas improved to 3-0 on the road in the playoffs. Chicago Goalie Peter Mannino suffered the los with 24 saves. Wolves forward Anthony Stewart, Joey Crabb and Jason Krog each scored in the defeat. Game 2 of the West Division Final is Sunday Afternoon at 3:00 PM.

For their fifth straight playoff game, the Stars opened the scoring with Corey Sceviour capitalized off a Chicago Turnover at 6:34 of the 1st period. Winger Scott Mcculloch sent a pass in behind of the Chicago Net. The Puck bounced off Wolves Forward Greg Stewart to the crease and Sceviour worked a back-handed shot past Chicago Goalie Peter Mannino for the 1-0 lead.

The Wolves countered just 53 seconds later, as defensemen Artus Kulda centered the puck pass from the Left-Wing Texas corner to the crease. Captain Jason Krog redirected the pass between the legs of Texas Goalie Brent Krahn for his third goal of the playoffs. Krog's goal came at 7:27 and closed out the first period at 1-1.

The Stars claimed the second lead of the night, scoring just 1:43 into the 2nd period. Texas worked the puck along the blue-line and defensemen Maxime Fortunus blasted a shot to the Chicago net. Left Wing Francis Wathier tipped the shot past Manninio for his first goal of the playoffs and a 2-1 Texas Lead.

The Wolves countered at 6:36 with the first power-play goal of the series. Defensemen Nathan Oystrick worked the puck down the right-wing and snapped a pass to the Texas Crease. Camped out in-front of the net, Anthony Stewart redirected the puck past Texas Goalie Brent Krahn for his Fourth goal of the playoffs and to tie the game at 2-2.

Texas took its third lead of the game just 16 seconds of the 3rd period. Stars forward Jamie Benn collected a rebound off a Dan Jancevski shot and snapped in half with his 4th goal of the playoffs to give a 3-2 Texas lead. The Wolves answered late off a face-off in the Stars Zone. Forward Joey Crabb stole the puck from a Stars defender and snapped a quick wrist shot past Brent Krhan for the 3-3 tie with 5:35 left in regulation.

In overtime, the Stars took advantage of their foruth power-play goal of the night after Chicago Captain Jason Krog was whistled for high sticking 1:06 into the extra period. The Stars capitalized with 43 seconds left on the extra-man advantage. Defensemen Garrett Stafford ripped a shot from the point that blistered through traffic and into the back of the Chicago Net for the 4-3 OT Win.


Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves Playoff Update:

Game 1, Texas Stars 4 Chicago Wolves 3 (OT)

Game 2, 5/2: Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves 3:00 PM

Game 3, 5/4: Chicago Wolves VS. Texas Stars 7:30 PM

Game 4, 5/5: Chicago Wolves VS. Texas Stars 7:30 PM

Game 5, 5/7: Chicago Wolves VS. Texas Stars 7:30 PM*

Game 6, 5/9: Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves 3:00 PM*

Game 7, 5/11: Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves 7:00 PM*

*If Necessary

Texas & Chicago continue the West Division Final at Allstate Arena schedule for May 2 at 3:00 PM. The best-of-7 series will then shift to the Cedar Park Center for Games 3 & 4. The Stars will host the Wolves on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:30 PM for Game 3. Texas will also host the Wolves for Game 4 on Wednesday May 5 at 7:30 PM. Then on Friday If Necessary will be at the Cedar Park Center on May 7 at 7:30 PM.

Chicago will host Games 6 & 7 if they are needed. Game 6 will be on May 9 then Game 7 would be on May 11. The Winner of the Texas VS. Chicago Series would play the North Division Final Winner between the Hamilton Bulldogs VS. Abbotsford Heat.

To purchase a Calder Cup Playoff Package, which offers fans for all 16 possible home games. fans may call 512-go-stars. To rent a suite for a home playoff game or book a group, those interestred may call 512-go-stars. Ind. tickets for playoff games at Cedar Park Center also can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, visiting any Ticketmaster outlet or the Cedar Park Box office, or online at www.ticketmaster.com


Texas Stars Lead Series 1-0


Game Boxscore

Texas Stars 4 Chicago Wolves 3 (OT) (1-1, 1-1, 1-1, 1-0)

1-0 TEX: Colton Sceviour (Mcculloch, Wilson) 6:34 1st

1-1 CHI: Jason Krog (Kulda, Sterling) 7:27 1st

2-1 TEX: Francis Wathier (Fortunus, Hutchinson) 1:43 2nd

2-2 CHI: Anthony Stewart (PP) (Oystrick, Crabb) 6:36 2nd

3-2 TEX: Jamie Benn (Jancevski, Gagon) 0:16 3rd

3-3 CHI: Joey Crabb (Anderson) 14:25 3rd

4-3 TEX: Garrett Stafford (PP) (Benn) 2:22 OT


Game Stats

SOG: TEX 28 CHI 35

PP: TEX 1/4 CHI 1/3

PIM: TEX 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties CHI 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: TEX Brent Krahn 32 SVS on 35 Shots CHI Peter Mannino 24 SVS on 28 Shots

ATT: 3576

3rd Star: Jamie Benn (TEX)

2nd Star: Joey Crabb (CHI)

1st Star: Garrett Stafford (TEX)