Firebirds extend point streak to 10, fall in shootout to Stars

A bittersweet night at Acrisure Arena on Saturday night. The Firebirds faithful stood on their feet and gave two former key pieces to the success of the last two years a nice ovation. Cameron Hughes and Kole Lind were back, but this time wearing green and white sweaters of the Texas Stars. Now back to the game, John Hayden opened the scoring for the Firebirds in the first period with a feed from Max McCormick. That was all the scoring in the first 20 minutes. It was a fast and physical period for the Firebirds. A start the coach has been looking for at home. The Stars came out with much more speed and physicality in the second period. Ben Meyers would open the scoring in the second period to give the 'Birds a two-goal lead. But Texas would punch right back. Scoring the next two and tying the game up headed into the final 20 minutes. In the third, Texas would take its first lead of the night with a goal from the slot with just under 90 seconds left in the game. Firebirds' head coach, Derek Laxdal would call a timeout, and it would pay off. The captain would tie the game up with 37 seconds left to send the game to overtime. A scoreless extra five minutes would send the game to a shootout, where the Stars would score twice and hold the Firebirds off the scoring sheet. With the point, the Firebirds have now gained at least a point in ten straight games. The Stars would win 4-3. Ales Stezka made 32 saves on 35 shots. The Firebirds return home to Acrisure Arena on Tuesday night to take on the Henderson Silver Knights. Puck drop at 7 p.m.