STARS USE BIG 4TH QUARTER TO CLIP SAVAGE 7-6

KENT, WA - The Tacoma Stars (12-6-2) became the first U.S. team to beat a team from Mexico by netting four goals in the fourth quarter to squeak by the visiting Chihuahua Savage (13-7-0) 7-6 at the accesso ShoWare Center Friday night. Justin Stinson recorded his second hat trick for the Stars in as many games for the Stars.

It was a game of runs with both teams putting together strings of goals beginning with the Savage taking a 2-0 lead with 1:30 left in the first. Angel Castro accounted for both Chihuahua goals and also scored the third for his squad to close out scoring in the first half to complete his 30-minute hat trick.

11 seconds after Castro made it 2-0, Nani Mendoza opened scoring for the Stars and the first frame came to an end 2-1 in favor of Chihuahua.

After Kyle Rivers brought the game level for Tacoma, Stinson picked up his first goal of the game to give Tacoma the first of only two leads, it was 3-2 Tacoma. 

Castro completed his hat trick to send the game to half time even at 3-3.

The first 17 minutes of the second half were owned by Chihuahua as they picked up the first three goals to build a 6-3 lead with 12:52 to go in the final quarter of play.

The Stars found their second wind certainly at that point and the next four goals went their way beginning with Adrian Correa's first since returning from a dislocated elbow. Stinson added bac-to-back markers to draw the game even at 6-6 with 2:29 left in regulation.

Chris Toth, who notched his 12th win in goal for Tacoma found Alessandro Canale with a pass inside to box and Canale turned and scored with 59 seconds on the clock what proved to be the game-winner for Tacoma.

Chihuahua and Tacoma will complete their season series on Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center at 7:05 pm.