Stars Advance to Western Conference Finals

Jamie Benn celebrates his game-winning series-clinching overtime goal (Photo courtesy of Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars will not allow the fun to end. After trailing by two goals not once but twice in Game 7 of the American Hockey League's West Division Finals, the Stars fought back to cage the Chicago Wolves 6-5 on a Jamie Benn goal 4:57 into overtime. With a flair for the dramatic, three of the seven games in this series took overtime to decide, with the Stars winning two of those three. The addition of Benn, somewhat of a ringer who played the entire NHL season with the Dallas Stars, has helped propel Texas into the Conference Finals. Right-winger Benn is Texas' playoff points leader with 15 (eight goals and seven assists) and continues to guide the Stars through the grueling AHL playoff schedule (they've played 11 postseason games already). Games one and two take place in Hamilton, Ontario, this Friday, May 14, and Sunday, May 16, and can be heard on 1530AM ESPN Austin. The games in Cedar Park: Wed., May 19, 7:30pm; Fri., May 21, 7:30pm; Sat., May 22, 7pm (if necessary). Cedar Park Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, 512/GO-STARS. $9-50. www.texasstarshockey.com.