Texas Stars take Game 1 over Chicago Wolves, 4-3 in OT

(Garrett Stafford scores the overtime game winner. Photo Credit: Chris Jerina) 

After a week long layoff, the Texas Stars are back in action against the top-seeded Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers) in Chicago.  The Stars finished off the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks) in four games and lay dormant for a week while the Wolves took until Game 7 to finish off the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators).

Texas opened the scoring in this one and never trailed in the game.  The Stars and Wolves alternated goals throughout the night with each scoring once per regulation period.  The Stars collected goals from Colton Sceviour, Francis Wathier, and Jamie Benn, and were tied at 3 going at the end of 60 minutes.  Garrett Stafford bombed a shot from the high slot on an overtime power play that beat goalie Peter Mannino high to seal the Stars' first overtime playoff win in their first OT playoff game.

Brent Krahn had 32 saves on 35 Chicago shots in the game.  His numbers were not quite as shiny as in the Rockford series (1.25 GAA, .961 SV%), but Chicago plays a different game.  Krahn is happy to walk out with the "W" no matter the score.

Jamie Benn also collected an assist in the game.  Former Stars prospect Ivan Vishnevskiy did not tally a goal or assist in the game and recorded no shots.  He was also a minus-2 on the night.  Chris Chelios, who is no longer paired with Vishnevskiy, has scoreless but plus-1 on the night.

You can read the full postgame report on Hundred Degree Hockey. Texas faces off against the Wolves again in Chicago on Sunday for matinée game at 3:00 PM.