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Strudwick, Garon propel Oilers past Stars

Oct 6, 2008 - 2:49 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- Jason Strudwick scored a key goal in the third period and Mathieu Garon made 39 saves as the Edmonton Oilers moved past the Dallas Stars, 3-2, in preseason action on Sunday.

Strudwick beat Marty Turco by converting passes from Dustin Penner and Ethan Moreau 5:47 into the final session to snap a 2-2 tie and ease the pain of blowing an early two-goal lead.

Garon split time with Dwayne Roloson in goal in 2007-08, but still managed to post 26 victories and a 2.66 goals-against average in 47 games. The 30-year-old will start full-time this season while trying to get the Oilers back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, when they were the Western Conference champions.

Andrew Cogliano got Edmonton on the board first 71 seconds into the opening period, and defenseman Sheldon Souray extended the advantage with a power-play goal 7:33 later.

However, the Stars got a goal from B.J. Crombeen with 8:59 left in the first and then struck even just under four minutes later when defenseman Stephane Robidas fired a wrist shot past Garon from the bottom of the right faceoff circle.

Dallas outshot Edmonton, 41-14, but scored once in eight opportunities with a man advantage.

Turco, who was 32-21-6 with a 2.31 GAA last season, turned aside 11 shots.

The Stars open the 2008-09 campaign on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, and Edmonton hosts the Colorado Avalanche on October 12.