Krahn, Stars shutout Rockford 2-0, one point behind 2nd in division

The Stars started off their epic seven game road trip on the right foot this evening with a 2-0 shutout win over the Rockford IceHogs in Rockford. Brent Krahn picked up his 4th shutout of the year and his 14th win. Krahn has yet to lose a game in four starts since returning from injury at the beginning of March. Krahn is 4-0-0 in the month of March with a 2.26 GAA and a .927 SV%. Krahn is overall 14-2-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .950 SV%.

Fans in Rockford were just settling into their seats when the Stars opened the scoring at 59 seconds of the first. Mathieu Beaudoin beat Corey Crawford short side on a rebound from an Andrew Hutchinson shot for his 17th of the year and a 1-0 lead.

Toward the end of the first, Greg Rallo took a hit in the offensive zone corner. Tousi laid a hit on Richmond. Richmond took exception and got a double-minor for roughing and a ten-minute misconduct. Klinkhammer, who also started beating on Tousignant, got no penalties.

In the second, Texas extended the advantage on a "power play" tally. Brophey's cross-checking minor expired at 8:09, and Texas scored at 8:14. Perttu Lindgren scored his 12th of the year on a cross-ice pass from Travis Morin.

Two goals would be all Texas needed to win after Brent Krahn's 29 save shutout performance. Rockford put 14 third period shots on net but couldn't penetrate Krahn. The only penalty in the third period was a delay of game minor to Maxime Fortunus with 2:15 remaining in the game. Rockford pulled Crawford for the 6-on-4 advantage to try to even the score. But Rockford was ineffective, only getting a few shots on the net.

Texas has now beaten Rockford six of seven games this year. This is definitely the playoff matchup that Texas wants to have. With this win, the Stars are only one point behind the IceHogs, who are idle tomorrow. With a win, OTL, or SOL tomorrow, Texas will jump Rockford for second place in the West.

Tonight's lines:
Beaudoin-Lindgren-Morin
Wathier-Peters-Sawada
Korostin-Gagnon-Sceviour
Tousignant-Morin-Rallo

Jancevski-Fortunus
Hutchinson-Graham
Tr. Ludwig-Stafford
Stephenson

Krahn

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Wilson and McCulloch (injured)
Gazdic, Shelast, and Tyler Ludwig (scratched)
Benn (call-up)

I missed the transaction that sent Shelast back to Texas on the 16th. He is now with the Stars.

All 7 defenseman saw time on the blueline tonight.

Tonight's attendance was 4,673.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Rockford - March 20 2010

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