STARS DON'T ALIGN FOR GRIFFINS

Texas Stars 3 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 SO

Feb. 18, 2011

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Behind a standout performance by goalie Richard Bachman, the Texas Stars rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 shootout decision over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday at Van Andel Arena.

Bachman made 35 stops during regulation and overtime before denying all five Griffins attempts during the shootout, spoiling a strong 29-save effort by Jordan Pearce on the other end.

The Griffins (24-24-1-7), who earned a point for the fourth time in their last five games (2-1-0-2), will travel to Toronto for a 3 p.m. Saturday showdown with the Marlies before returning to Van Andel Arena on Sunday to host the Peoria Rivermen at 4 p.m.

Fresh off his two-goal effort on Wednesday, Jamie Tardif put the puck past Bachman from the doorstep during a delayed penalty just 55 seconds into the game, but the apparent goal was negated by a referee’s quick whistle.

Unfazed, the Griffins got one that counted at the 8:40 mark, as Tomas Tatar received a pass from Ilari Filppula out of the left corner and beat Bachman from close range.

A great play by Derek Meech led to a 2-0 Grand Rapids lead at 13:37. Taking a drop pass from Chris Minard just inside the Texas blue line, he skated down the right side and patiently waited until he was at the bottom of the circle before sending a feed across to Jamie Johnson for an easy backdoor goal into a gaping net.

The Stars (30-19-3-3) responded during a 5-on-3 power play late in the period, when Dan Spang launched a blast from the high slot that bounced off and over Pearce before trickling across the goal line at 16:04.

Following a scoreless second period, Texas tied matters just 1:41 into the third, as Brandon Segal fired a low shot from the left circle that squeaked inside the far post to force the eventual overtime.

Awarded a power play 53 seconds into the extra session on a tripping call to the Stars’ Guillaume Monast, the Griffins were unable to capitalize. The shootout soon followed with the only goal coming from Texas’ Francis Wathier in round two, as Bachman stifled Filppula, Minard, Jan Mursak, Johnson and Tardif in succession.

Notes: Meech appeared in his 281st game as a Griffin, moving past Dave Van Drunen into sole possession of seventh place on the franchise’s all-time list…Holland, Mich., residents Todd Bush and Tina Bronkema were married at center ice during the first intermission, marking the first wedding at a Griffins game since March 29, 2005.

Three Stars: 1. GR Meech (two assists); 2. TEX Bachman (W, 35 saves); 3. TEX Segal (goal)