TEXAS 4, CHICAGO 3 (OT)
Defenseman Garrett Stafford blasted a slap shot home from center point on the power play 2:22 into overtime, lifting Texas to a 4-3 road win over Chicago at Allstate Arena on Friday in a thrilling opener to the West Division Finals.
After a day off, the teams will suit up for Game 2 in Chicago on Sunday night afternoon.
With the game tied 3-3, both teams had opportunities to win it on the power play. Stars defenseman Dan Jancevski was sent off for high-sticking with 1:42 left in regulation, but his club killed that remaining time plus the first 18 seconds of overtime.
Just 48 seconds after Jancevski’s penalty expired, Wolves captain Jason Krog committed a high-sticking foul and earned a two-minute minor. A little more than a minute later, Stafford fired his game-winner through traffic and past Chicago goaltender Peter Mannino, who finished with 24 saves.
Texas took leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 only to watch Chicago tie it up each time. Rookie Colton Sceviour and Francis Wathier each scored his first goal of the playoffs for the Stars, while rookie Jamie Benn potted his fourth postseason marker.
Chicago got its goals from Krog, Anthony Stewart, and Joey Crabb, who scored right off a face-off at 14:25 of the third period to knot the contest at 3-3 and eventually force overtime.
Stars goaltender Brent Krahn stopped 32 of 35 shots in net and helped his club improve to 5-0 thus far in the playoffs.
West Division Finals – Series “L” (best-of-7)
W1-Chicago Wolves vs. W2-Texas Stars
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 30 – Texas 4, CHICAGO 3 (OT)
Game 2 – Sun., May 2 – Texas at Chicago, 4:00
Game 3 – Tue., May 4 – Chicago at Texas, 8:30
Game 4 – Wed., May 5 – Chicago at Texas, 8:30
*Game 5 – Fri., May 7 – Chicago at Texas, 8:30
*Game 6 – Sun., May 9 – Texas at Chicago, 4:00
*Game 7 – Tue., May 11 – Texas at Chicago, 8:00
