Rookies and veterans. Skaters and goalies. Everyone contributed tonight as the Texas Stars dusted off their second round opponent in overtime to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the third time in team history.
Veteran Mike McKenna stopped 37 of 39 shots across three periods and change. The fourth line center Joel L'Esperance had the overtime winner and a dandy assist in the first period.
"It was a hard fought series," noted Coach Laxdal. "It was a lot closer than 4-1."
Mike McKenna added, "You look at the quality of the prospects and the veteran players who have won championship and been to finals.