Strong Wolves PP takes down Texas, takes 2-1 series Lead

A strong PP where the Wolves fired 3 times along with 2 goals from Nathan Oystrick gave the Wolves a 5-3 win and gave the Texas Stars their first home loss of the playoffs. What did in Texas was to many penalties as the Stars were given a double minor for High Sticking by Francis Wathier and a pair of delay penalties that led to the Wolves first 2 PP Goals of the night that eventually made it 2-2.

Perttu Lindgren scored two goals along with Brent Krahn's first time being pulled in these playoffs made it that much tougher for the Stars to comeback in this one..

This made Game 4 huge for the Stars to win to help them stay in the series and have a shot of advancing to the Calder Cup Semifinals where they would play either the Hamilton Bulldogs or the Abbotsford Heat for the Western Conference Title and a spot in the Calder Cup Championship.

From the Texas Stars Website: www.texasstarshockey.com

From Cedar Park, Texas: The Texas Stars were defeated by the Chicago Wolves 5-3 on Tuesday Night at Cedar Park Center in Game 3 of the West Division Finals. Chicago Right Wing Spencer Machacek and defensemen Nathan Oystrick each scored a pair of goals as the Wolves claimed the 2-1 series lead in the best-of-7 series.

Chicago Goalie Peter Mannino picked up the win with 27 saves, while Stars goalie Brent Krahn suffered the loss after stopping 18 of 22 shots in 40 minutes of play. Texas Center Perttu Lindgren scored two goals in the Stars first home loss of the playoffs. Game 4 of the West Division Final is Wednesday Night at 7:30 PM at Cedar Park Center.

The Stars took a 1-0 lead just 2:41 into the first period. Forward Prettu Lindgren finished off a centering pass from Francis Wathier, beating Wolves goalie Peter Mannino for his first goal of the night. Lindgren's 2nd goal of the post-season was assisted by Francis Wathier and Raymond Sawada. The Wolves countered at 5:46, as Winger Spencer Machacek sent a shot past Texas Goalie Brent Krahn for a power-play tally and a 1-1 score.

At 8:33, Chicago capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play and jumped ahead to 2-1. Defensemen Nathan Oystrick fired a shot from the lest point past Krahn for his first goal of the playoffs. The Power-Play goal was assisted by Tim Stapleton and Jason Krog.

The Stars tied the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal at 11:37. Forward Greg Rallo found Aaron Gagon open at the bottom of the left-wing circle for a past shot Mannino on the stick-side. The Power-play was Gagon's 2nd goal of the playoffs.

Chicago claimed its second lead of the night at 14:49. Winger Brett Sterling scored from the botton of the left-wing circle, beating Krahn on the stick-side for the 3-2 Wolves lead. The Wolves extended the lead to 4-2 with 1:28 remaining in the 2nd period. Nathan Oystrick his second goal of the night after firing a shot from the left point. Riley Holzapfel assisted on the power-play tally.

Stars goalie Matt Climie replaced Krahn at the start of the 3rd period after Krahn stopped 18 of 22 shots through 40 minutes of play. In the 3rd period, Chicago expanded its 5-3 lead when Machacek scored his second goal the night at 7:28. The winger brought the puck down the right side and powered a shot past Climie on the glove-side.

At 14:58, Lindgren scored his second goal of the night for the Stars, bringing within two goals of the Wolves at 5-3. Defensemen Andrew Hutchinson and Dan Jancevski each tallied assists on Lindgren's third goal of the playoffs.

West Division Final Update:

Game 1: Texas 4 Chicago 3 (OT)

Game 2: Texas 3 Chicago 4 (2OT)

Game 3: Chicago 5 Texas 3

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

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

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

Game 7, 5/11: Texas VS. Chicago 7:30 PM*

*If Necessary

The Best-of-7 series continues at Cedar Park Center for Games 4 & 5. The Stars will host the Wolves on Wednesday, May 5 and Friday May 7 with both games starting at 7:30 PM. If necessary, Chicago will host Game 6 and Game 7. Game 6 is slated for May 9 at 3:00 PM and Game 7 would be on May 11 at 7:00 PM.

To purchase a Calder Cup Playoff Package, which offers fans the same seat for all 16 possible home playoff games, fans may call 512-GO-Stars. To rent a suite for home playoff games or to book a group, those interested may call 512-GO-STARS. Ind. Playoff Tickets for playoff games may be purchased at Cedar Park Center Box Office, they also can be purchased via TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting any Ticketmaster Outlet or the Cedar Park Center Box Office, or online at www.ticketmaster.com


Chicago Wolves Lead Series 2-1

Game Boxscore

Chicago Wolves 5 Texas Stars 3 (2-2, 2-0, 1-1)

0-1 TEX: Perttu Lindgren (Wathier, Sawada) 2:41 1st

1-1 CHI: Spencer Machacek (PP) (Holzapfel, Welch) 5:46 1st

1-2 CHI: Nathan Oystrick (PP) (Stapleton, Krog) 8:33 1st

2-2 TEX: Aaron Gagon (PP) (Rallo, Wathier) 11:37 1st

3-2 CHI: Brett Sterling (Stewart, Krog) 5:11 2nd

4-2 CHI: Nathan Oystrick (PP) (Stapleton, Machcek) 18:32 2nd

5-2 CHI: Spencer Machacek (Unassisted) 7:28 3rd

5-3 TEX: Prettu Lindgren (Hutchinson, Jancevski) 14:58 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: CHI 28 TEX 30

PP: CHI 3/7 TEX 1/4

PIM: CHI 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties TEX 16 Minutes on 8 Penalties

Goalies: CHI Peter Mannino 27 SVS on 30 Shots TEX Brent Krahn 18 SVS on 22 Shots Matt Climie 5 SVS on 6 Shots

ATT: 3046

3rd Star: Nathan Oystrick (CHI)

2nd Star: Perttu Lindgren (TEX)

1st Star: Spencer Machacek (CHI)