The Caps opened the scoring in the first on a scramble in front of Bryce Fink. Not long thereafter, Niki Kraus (Kreuzer, Fellinger) responded with a powerplay marker to even the score at 1.  The teams played a very fast, hard-hitting game that was by far some of the best hockey between two teams Sankt Pölten had seen in a while.

Starting the second period, the Caps notched a short-handed goal with the Stars on the powerplay after a turn-over by the Stars defence. Kreuzer (Fellinger, Kläy) responded with a powerplay goal to even the game up, and Kreuzer again (Warnelius, Krammer) on the man-advantage with a deflection off of the left post gave the Stars a lead they would not relinquish.

The third period was all Stars, as Sam Antonitsch (Houben, Warnelius) was sent in alone by Houben on a long stretch pass made a nifty forehand – backhand deke, sliding the puck past the Caps' tender for a 4-2 lead on the powerplay. Houben (Kreuzer) on a nice face-off wrister put the Stars ahead 5-2, and Warnelius, jumping into the rush, completed a great passing play from Kläy and Fellinger to put the L.A. squad up by 4. The Caps notched a meaningless third period goal, but it was not nearly enough, as the Stars struck first blood in the season series between the two teams.

“I was really proud of all of our players today,” piped up O’Leary. “It was a great team effort all around, and despite the numerous chances for both teams on the powerplay, everyone contributed. That’s what we want to do: offense by committee. Our guys really showed some fantastic things today.”  It was  a great way to end off the first half of the season, as the team, just into its inaugural season. With a record of 9-7-2 so far, the Stars have given much to ponder for the competition, serving notice that they are not here to be taken lightly.  With just over two weeks off, the staff hopes the break will bring back a hungry group of young men, anxious to push harder and show what they are really capable of.