MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – The Texas Stars secured their spot in the Western Conference Finals after a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Milwaukee Admirals in Game Five of the Central Division Finals. The game took place Sunday at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. This marks the Stars’ first appearance in the conference finals since 2018.
Curtis McKenzie scored early for Texas, putting the Stars ahead just 5 minutes and 33 seconds into the first period. He redirected a slap pass from Michael Karow through the legs of Milwaukee goalie Matt Murray. Milwaukee answered before the 10-minute mark with a power-play goal. Fedor Svechkov passed from behind the net to Chase De Leo, who scored from close range to tie the game 1-1 by the end of the first period.
Milwaukee took the lead in the second period at 7 minutes and 55 seconds. Joakim Kemell received a long outlet pass in the defensive zone and moved to the top of the Texas blue line. He then passed to Svechkov, who shot the puck over Texas goalie Remi Poirier’s blocker. The Admirals went up 2-1 heading into the second intermission.
Early in the third period, at 1 minute and 43 seconds, Matej Blümel tied the game for Texas. He received a backdoor pass from McKenzie and slipped the puck past Murray. Later, with just over 5 minutes left, Trey Taylor took a shot from the right point. The puck bounced off the boards to Cameron Hughes, who hit the left post. The rebound came to Justin Hryckowian, who scored into the open net. This goal gave Texas the 3-2 lead they would hold to the final buzzer.
Poirier made 22 saves on 24 shots to earn the win for Texas. Murray stopped 27 of 30 shots but took the loss for Milwaukee.
The Stars now await the winner of the Pacific Division Finals between Abbotsford and Colorado, which will be decided in Game Five on Monday. Texas will start the Conference Finals on the road. Games One and Two will be played in either Abbotsford or Colorado, depending on the series winner. Texas will host Games Three, Four, and, if necessary, Five at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on June 2, June 4, and June 6 at 7:00 p.m.
