Fury Shoot Past Stars 7-4

by Pete Richmire

KENT, WA. – The Tacoma Stars (5-6) finished a two-game Pacific Division weekend with a 7-4 loss to the Ontario Fury (7-5) at Citizens Business Bank Arena. While the Stars drop another game behind the Fury for the division’s second playoff seed, the story of the game may be Mike Agruello with his MASL debut in goal for Tacoma. His start snaps Danny Waltman’s streak of 77 straight games as the keeper for the Stars. Arguello finished the game with 10 saves for Tacoma.

Ontario opened scoring in the first quarter on a goal from Francisco Cordeiro with 7:27 on the clock. It was two quick-fire goals for the Fury from Adrien Perez on a power play and Cordeiro’s second of the game just 25 seconds apart that put the Stars down 3-0 after one quarter.

Perez picked up the only goal of the second quarter for either team to give the Fury a comfortable 4-0 lead at the half.

The Stars’ first goal came 15 seconds into the second half after Nick Perera was awarded a penalty kick on an Evan McNeley handling blue card. He beat Ontario keeper Chris Toth to put Tacoma on the board trailing the Fury 4-1. The next two markers were off the feet of recent Ontario signings Anibal Echeverria and Victor Quiroz to give the Fury a five-goal cushion at 6-1 with 4:40 left in the third. Perera knocked in an unassisted goal with 1:05 remaining in the third to bring Tacoma within four at 6-2.

 Ontario’s final goal of the game, Perez’s third of the night, was assisted by Toth with 11:41 to go in the game. Just under two minutes later Mike Ramos slammed one in on a Troy Peterson assist and the Stars began to pressure the Ontario defense. The final goal of the game was Perera’s third of the match with 6:16 left and reached the final score of 7-4.

 Scoring Summary

1st ONT- Cordeiro (De Abreu) 7:33; ONT- Perez 14:16 pp; ONT- Cordeiro 14:31; Penalties- TAC- Peterson (holding) 13:51.

 2nd ONT- Perez (Goncalves) 1:30; Penalties- ONT- Walls (unsportsmanlike conduct) 5:26; TAC- McCluskey (unsportsmanlike conduct) 5:26; TAC- Clare (tripping) 7:01; ONT- Echeverria (tripping) 10:18.

 3rd TAC- Perera 0:18 pk; ONT- Echeverria (Cordeiro) 1:29; ONT- Quiroz 10:20 pp; TAC- Perera 13:55; Penalties- ONT- McNeley (handling) 0:15; ONT- Quiroz (reckless tackle) 7:08; TAC- Hanson (reckless tackle) 9:38.

 4th ONT- Perez (Toth) 3:19; TAC- Ramos (Peterson) 5:02; TAC- Perera (J. Cox) 6:16; Penalties- None


Shots- Tacoma 4-6-6-7 (23), Ontario 9-4-6-2 (21)

Attendance – 2,061

The Stars continue their road trip on Friday February 1 when they visit the El Paso Coyotes. Kick off is scheduled for 5:15 pm PST and you can watch this game, and all MASL games live at MASL.tv.

 The Stars next home action comes on Sunday, February 17 against the Pacific Division leading San Diego Sockers. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:05 pm. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84 or go to www.tacomastars.com.

 There’s still time to purchase 2018-2019 Season Tickets or a Legacy Membership with the Tacoma Stars. Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84, or emailing info@tacomastars.com, or go to www.tacomastars.com.

 Single game tickets to all Tacoma Stars home games are available. Head to tacomastars.showare.com to purchase your tickets.

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