AUSTIN, TX – The Iowa Wild lost to the Texas Stars in overtime on Saturday evening but gained a crucial point to remain tied with the Rockford IceHogs for fourth place in the Central Division. Adam Beckman scored the lone goal for Iowa and Curtis McKenzie scored the game-winner for Texas 2:59 in overtime. Zane McIntyre played well for Iowa, stopping 26 shots.

Dallas took the lead: 51 into the contest when Oskari Laaksonen scored his second goal of the season. Marvik Borque passed the puck to Laarksonen at the left face-off circle, who blew a one-timer by McIntyre to put Texas on top.

The lead held through the first intermission, as the first. Saw a lot of great action with the Wild outshooting the Stars, 12-10. Iowa tied the score 2:18 in the second, however, when Beckman netted his 24th goal of the year. Sammy Walker made a great outlet pass out of his own end right onto the tape of Beckman’s stick, as he split between two defenders and in on a breakaway. Beckman beat Matt Murray with a shot to tie the game at one.

Texas had a golden opportunity to take the lead about seven minutes into the third when Riley Tufte gained control of the loose puck at center ice and entered the Iowa zone on a breakaway. However, McIntyre absolutely stoned him, stretching out his right leg pad to deny the tuck in attempt.

That sent the game to overtime where MacKenzie scored 2:59 into the extra frame. He moved into the high slot before lifting a wrist shot that beat McIntyre over the blocker to give Texas the victory.

The point kept the Iowa wild (33-27-11) tied with the Rockford IceHogs (34-28-9) in the Central, with each team having 77 points. Texas (40-19-12) clinched the top record in the division. These two teams will battle again on Sunday. The puck drops at 5:00.

Gamesheet

by Robert Pannier