Justin Dowling broke a 2-2 tie with 8:39 left in regulation and the Texas Stars went on to a 4-2 win over the Oklahoma City Barons at Cedar Park Center on Wednesday, completing a three-game sweep of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
The Stars, the AHL’s regular-season points champions, are the first team to advance to the second round of the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Brendan Ranford, whose overtime goal gave Texas a win in Game 2, opened Wednesday’s scoring 7:16 into the game, and Chris Mueller — in his first game back with the Stars after being reassigned from Dallas — made it 2-0 early in the second period.
But the Barons, who won three games last postseason when facing elimination, drew even on a shorthanded goal by Anton Lander at 8:54 of the second and a marker by Brad Hunt at 3:24 of the third.
Dowling’s winner came with the Stars skating on a 5-on-3 power play. Scott Glennie then iced the series with an empty-net goal at the 19:00 mark.
Cristopher Nilstorp (2-0) made 21 saves in the win. Richard Bachman (0-3) stopped 30 of 33 shots in defeat.
Western Conference Quarterfinals – Series “E” (best-of-5)
1-Texas Stars vs. 8-Oklahoma City Barons
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 23 – Texas 3, OKLAHOMA CITY 2 (OT)
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 26 – Texas 3, OKLAHOMA CITY 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 30 – TEXAS 4, Oklahoma City 2
