Recap: Ducks Let Lead Slip Away, Lose 5-3 to Stars

Tonight's game in Dallas proved to be a learning experience for the young Ducks, who let a three-goal lead slip away in a 5-3 loss to the Stars at American Airlines Center.

It started with promise, as Anaheim jumped out to a 3-0 lead beginning with Jakob Silfverberg's goal at the 9:01 mark of the first period.

Just 4 ½ minutes later, rookie Kiefer Sherwood gave the Ducks a two-goal cushion after scoring his first career NHL goal in a moment he definitely will never forget.

Then it was Adam Henrique scoring in the second period on the power play to give the Ducks a hefty three-goal lead.

But when Silfverberg went to the box for hooking, the Stars came to life.
Alexander Radulov's goal rejuvenated the Stars, who would then score twice in nine seconds on goals from Connor Carrick and Jamie Benn. With the game tied and the ice in their favor, John Klingberg put the Stars ahead 4-3 in a second period that saw Dallas out-shoot Anaheim 30-3. The Stars would later tack on an empty-net goal in the final two minutes of regulation.
John Gibson turned aside 40 saves on 44 shots through two periods, but it was Ryan Miller who finished off the final 20 minutes.
Despite the loss, several milestones were achieved tonight. In addition to Sherwood's goal, fellow rookies Isac Lundestrom and Sam Steel recorded their first career NHL points (both assists). Lundestrom earned the secondary assist on Sherwood's goal, while Steel's nifty behind-the-net pass to Henrique got him on the board.
Moments after Sherwood scored, the 23-year-old Columbus native shared his thoughts on the moment.
"It happened so fast," he said during his first-intermission interview. "Overwhelmed with excitement. I didn't score in the preseason or these past games, so I needed to make it happen pretty soon. Great play by Lundy at the top of the blue line. Manson just getting it through. I was fortunate to get a stick on it."
Already without the services of Patrick Eaves, Ryan Getzlaf, Ondrej Kase and Corey Perry, the Ducks took another hit when it was announced Carter Rowney suffered an upper-body injury tonight after his opening shift and didn't return.
The Ducks will close out their road trip tomorrow night at 4 p.m. PT against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center.