Hundred Degree Hockey

Stars Recall Jace Coyle to Texas

2012-02-01T10:16:00.005-06:00

Texas announced today that they have recalled Jace Coyle from the Idaho Steelheads. This is an interesting development as Texas has seven defensemen already. This could signal a precautionary move for Texas with Brad Lukowich still coming off a bruised lung and Labrie having been taken out of the Saturday game in OKC.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars announced on Wednesday that defenseman Jace Coyle has been reassigned from the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL to the Texas Stars. Texas is Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL) and Idaho is Dallas’ ECHL affiliate.

The rookie defenseman has split time between Idaho and Texas this year, recording an assist in 17 games with the Stars this season. The rookie defender has played in 13 games with Idaho, setting up two goals. The 21-year-old spent the last three years playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder enjoyed his best WHL season in 2009-10, setting up 36 goals and totaling 46 points in 68 games played. In 241 WHL games from 2007-11, Coyle scored 25 goals and totaled 107 points. The undrafted defenseman attended training camp with the NHL’s Dallas Stars in 2011 and played for the Stars in the 2011 Traverse City Prospects camp.

(Image Credit: Portraits by Deena)

Texas Stars Report: Tripped Up on the Road

2012-01-31T15:12:00.001-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

The Texas Stars (20-20-1-2, 43 pts, #13 Western Conference) saw their three game winning streak come to a crashing halt this week with two straight losses on the road. Friday night's game saw six goals against and the first pull for Andrew Raycroft on the season. The surging San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers) became winners of six straight with the W. League leading Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) beat up on Texas on Saturday, throwing 44 shots at Raycroft for a 3-1 win.

As the Stars hit the All-Star break, it is clear that there is a huge amount of parity in the bottom half of the standings. Only four points separate eighth from fifteenth in the West; in the East, it's just five. Absolutely no one is out of the playoff race at this point.

By my math, the Stars need forty points in their final thirty-three games to keep pace with the current eighth place finisher. That's a record of 20-13, assuming no OT or SO losses, which have been rare for Texas this year anyways. Among those 33 games are 17 against the division, and only ten are against clubs not currently on pace to make the playoffs. The going's about to get real tough.

Read more at Defending Big D...

(Image credit: Steven Christy)

Dallas Recalls Larsen, Hauswirth to RGV

2012-01-30T12:47:00.007-06:00

Larsen in OKC on Saturday (Credit: Steven Christy)
For the moment, it looks like Texas gets to keep Tomas Vincour as Dallas recalled Philip Larsen today. Larsen will be the eighth defenseman on the roster in Dallas, though not all of them may be ready for action. Either Souray or Robidas could still need time and today's practice will tell us that.

With Vincour staying, Dallas has reassigned Jake Hauswirth to Rio Grande Valley. The eleven games that Hauswirth played in Texas were more than I was ever expecting from the forward. He had one point on an assist in his AHL stint, playing mostly fourth line minutes.

Hauswirth's assignment is probably good news on the injury front as Mathieu Tousignant has been working hard to return, and there were concerns for Colton Sceviour, who took a hard hit in Saturday's game. No official word on either, but I hope to get something as practices resume on Wednesday.

In other news, Texas forward Matt Fraser will play in the AHL All-Star game tonight at 6:00 PM local time. Catch it on FSSW+, if you get that channel.

Here's the release on Larsen and Hauswirth:

The Dallas Stars announced on Monday that defenseman Philip Larsen has been recalled from the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Dallas also reassigned forward Jake Hauswirth from Texas to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League.

Larsen, 22, has skated in 21 games for Dallas this season, scoring one goal and two assists in that span. The Esbjerg, DNK native ranks second among Dallas defensemen with a +7 rating and is averaging 17:10 of time-on-ice per game. Earlier this season, Larsen became the first Danish-born defenseman to score an NHL goal since Poul Popiel in the 1971-72 season for the Vancouver Canucks. The young defenseman has played in 12 games for Texas this season, setting up nine goals and racking up ten points. Dallas drafted Larsen with the 149th pick (fifth round) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Hauswirth played in 11 games for Texas, setting up one goal for his first AHL point. He started the 2011-12 season with Rio Grande Valley, scoring six goals and adding seven assists for 13 points in 21 games played. The Dallas Stars acquired Hauswirth in a trade with the Florida Panthers on December 7. Dallas sent forward Krys Barch to Florida in exchange for Hauswirth and a sixth-round pick. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound right wing is in his third pro season, spending the first two pro years in the ECHL with Cincinnati and South Carolina. In all, the Merrill, WI native has played in 142 pro games, scoring 35 goals and totaling 76 points.

Barons Send Stars to Break With 3-1 Loss

2012-01-29T13:58:00.006-06:00

Andrew Raycroft shined tonight, but the Stars fell to OKC 3-1. (Credit: Steven Christy)
It was a tough luck loss for Texas tonight as the goaltenders for both teams played spectacularly well. Raycroft had a whopping 42 saves on 44 shots and LeNeveu 22 of 23. I was unable to watch the game live, so I've posted the press release below.

The Texas Stars (20-20-1-2, 43 points) were defeated by the Oklahoma City Barons (29-11-2-3, 63 points) 3-1 in front of 5,606 fans at the Cox Convention Center on Saturday night. Barons’ goalie David LeNeveu (11-5-2) stopped 22 of 23 for the win. Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft (6-4-1) stopped a season-high 42 of 44 Oklahoma City shots in the loss. Oklahoma City scored early in the second period and early in the third period to push pas Texas. Barons’ forwards Ryan Keller and Hunter Trembley each scored, as did defenseman Dylan Yeo. The Barons head into the All-Star break with more wins and points than any other team in the AHL. Texas left wing Francis Wathier netted the lone goal in the Stars defeat. The Stars visit Houston on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:35 p.m. at the Toyota Center.

After a scoreless first period, the Barons opened the scoring at 1:39 of the second period with a power-play goal. Defenseman Dylan Yeo blasted a shot from the point, as Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft made the initial save. The rebound rolled in behind Raycroft for Yeo’s fifth goal of the season and a 1-0 Oklahoma City lead.

Oklahoma City doubled its lead just 36-secopnds into the third period. Leading scorer Ryan Keller fired a wrist shot from the bottom of the left-wing circle, his 15th goal of the year slipped off the pads of Raycroft and into the Texas net for a 2-0 Barons lead. Texas cut the Barons lead in half at 2-1, as Francis Wathier snapped his ninth goal of year over the glove of David Leneveu. Tomas Vincour and Brenden Connolly each had an assist on the play. Oklahoma City’s Hunter Tremblay scored and empty-net goal with 13 seconds remaining for the 3-1 final score.

Tonight's lines:
No lines tonight, as I couldn't watch live.

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Lukowich, Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Berube, Schultz, Hauswirth (scratch)

Tonight's attendance was 5,606.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Oklahoma City - January 28 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars at Oklahoma City Barons

2012-01-28T13:54:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
20-19-1-2, 43 pts
#11 Western Conference

Oklahoma City Barons
28-11-2-3, 61 pts
#1 Western Conference

January 28th at 7:00 PM

Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK

In a bit of bad luck for Texas, the Stars will face their second team on a five game winning streak tonight in Oklahoma City. This second night of the back-to-back will see the Stars playing the #1 Barons for the first time in over a month.

The Barons are good, very good, but Texas is not completely out of the season series. In fact, both teams are 2-2-0-0 on the season against each other, not something you'd expect against a team that is nearly 18 points ahead in the standings.

Oklahoma City has been a fantastic team this season. They are sending three players to the AHL All-star game and could have just as easily sent both of their goaltenders and half their roster.

Overall, the Barons are a good measuring stick for Texas at this point in the season. As the Stars were crushed last night in SA, a good win against OKC could prove that the changes they have made over the past few weeks really are working and that game was a fluke.

Stars injury/call up report:
Sawada, Tousignant, Lukowich (injury)

Website: okcbarons.com
Blog (unofficial): NewsOK's Barons Hockey
Blog (unofficial): Oil Field Hockey
Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey

Stars Fall Flat in Alamo City 6-2

2012-01-27T21:30:00.002-06:00

Despite nearly a week's rest, Texas's three game winning streak came to an end tonight at the hands of San Antonio Rampage, who extend their own streak to six straight. There really isn't a lot to say about a game that ends with a 6-2 final and was 3-0 after only the first period. Andrew Raycroft was pulled for the first time after allowing five goals on only twenty shots. Texas got goals from Tomas Vincour and Angelo Esposito. Esposito was one of few bright spots in the game, getting two points against his former club.

The first period was rough for Texas as former Star Greg Rallo started things off with his 10th of the year. To finish off the period, the Rampage got two goals in the last two minutes: Scott Timmins tipping a Caruso shot and Repik shooting one home.

Texas fought back a bit in the second as Tomas Vincour extended his long dormant road scoring streak to six games with his 11th AHL goal of the year. Angelo Esposito assisted against his previous team. New acquisition Jon Matsumoto wristed one home to set things at 4-1, regaining the Rampage's three goal lead. Esposito would get it back to a two-goal deficit to close the second, but the third period was all San Antonio.

A goal from former Star Ondrej Roman chased Andrew Raycroft from the net. Beskorowany gave up a goal on his second shot against to Mark Cullen. Texas had a few scraps in the game from Wathier and Dillon to try to spark something. Coach Pyle shuffled the lines after the first period trying to find a spark for his club. Ultimately, Texas could not rally from the early deficit and ended with their first loss in nearly two weeks. Texas will head to OKC overnight to face the Barons tomorrow night.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Vincour-Garbutt-Esposito
Gazdic-Connolly-Schultz

Benn-Larsen
Dillon-Spang
Fortunus-Berube

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Lukowich, Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Labrie, Godard, Hauswirth (scratch)

Tonight's attendance was 7,869.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - January 27 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars at San Antonio Rampage

2012-01-27T09:31:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
20-18-1-2, 43 pts
#11 Western Conference

San Antonio Rampage
22-18-2-0, 34 pts
#8 Western Conference

January 27th at 7:00 PM

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Early on in the year, San Antonio and Texas were both in trouble. Both clubs were on a downward slope with no end in sight; matchups between the two were frequently between the #14 and #15 teams in the conference. However, both teams have turned it around recently, and both teams have the same factor to thank for it.

For Texas, we've documented it here before. The play of Andrew Raycroft since his assignment has been stellar. Currently 6-2-1 and basically completely responsible for Texas's current 6-2-1-1 record in the last ten, he is showing his skills at every turn with calm play and timely saves.

On the Rampage side, Dov Grumet-Morris is the recent hero. After spending the beginning of the year in Norway, DGM was signed on a PTO and has since flourished in the Alamo City. In seventeen games, he is 11-5-0, garnering a 1.99 GAA and .931 SV%. Those numbers are good enough for #2 in the league among all goalies. Grumet-Morris has had several prior AHL stops, but his most notable was last year in Connecticut, where he got into twenty-two games for the Whale/Wolf Pack. DGM has played in ten straight games now with backup Andrew Volkening not seeing the ice in his current AHL stint.

Both teams carry streaks into tonight's game. Texas has rattled off a season-high three in a row and San Antonio also has a season high with five, including victories over Rockford, Peoria, Abbotsford, and Houston (2).

Also contributing for Texas, as Austinites know, is the Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier line. Some recent trades have kicked up the Rampage for the better in the offensive zone. Jon Matsumoto came over from the Charlotte Checkers and instantly had an impact with three goals and two assists in just three games. One Rampage player who will not be on the ice is Tim Kennedy, who was traded yesterday to the San Jose organization.

Another big story for Texas is the assignment of Fraser, Vincour and Larsen. Vincour will slip into the lineup, but it's unclear where. The top two lines have been doing very well recently, so it will be interesting to see the lineup tonight. Philip Larsen will probably slip in as Brad Lukowich comes out of the lineup with no other changes. With Larsen available and Lukowich still feeling the effects of a bruised lung in last weekend's final game, it is likely that Larsen will replace Lukowich to give the captain a chance to heal up over an extended period.

Stars injury/call up report:
Bachman (callup)
Sawada, Tousignant (injury)
Lukowich (questionable)

Website: sarampage.com
Blog (unofficial): Rampage with Tony U.
Blog (unofficial): Runnin' With The Herd
Twitter: @SARampage
Twitter: @SARampage_Voice (play-by-play for SA)

Dallas Assigns Vincour, Larsen and Fraser

2012-01-25T13:09:00.004-06:00

Dallas announced today that they have assigned Matt Fraser, Tomas Vincour and Philip Larsen to the Texas Stars. Fraser's assignment was expected as he was an injury callup to bolster the lineup against Anaheim last night, a game that Dallas won 1-0. Fraser will surely play in both games this weekend and attend the AHL's All-Star game on Monday.

For Tomas Vincour and Philip Larsen, it is a bit of a different story. NHL teams are allowed 23 roster players at any time, which does not include players on the injured reserver (IR). With Brenden Morrow back, hopefully, after the ASG, here is the lineup for Dallas:

Eriksson-Benn-Ryder
Ott-Ribeiro-Morrow
Nystrom-Fiddler-Dvorak
Wandell-Dowell-Burish
Petersen

Souray-Robidas
Daley-Grossman
Goligoski-Fistric
Pardy

Lehtonen
Bachman

That's 22 players, leaving room for only one more. That means that either Larsen or Vincour will be left in the AHL for some time post All-Star break. Since there are already seven defensemen, my guess is Larsen stays in the AHL. That is tough for the young blue liner though as he just scored his first NHL goal last week and had been selected over the past week to play instead of vets Fistric and Pardy.

For Texas, this is a huge boost. At the time of their callups, Vincour and Larsen were both top scorers for the Stars. Vincour was at thirteen points in fifteen games and Larsen a point a game player with ten in ten. If those paces continue, which is always an open question, that's an extra goal every other game.

Another question for Coach Pyle is where to place them. Both of the top two lines have been clicking along this past week. What about trying Vincour with Garbutt and Schultz to add even more scoring punch to the third line? Larsen had traditionally been paired with Lukowich, and it remains to be seen if that persists and who becomes the scratch.

(Image credit: Brian Hackert)

Dallas Recalls Texas's Leading Scorer, Fraser

2012-01-22T18:59:00.004-06:00

Fraser in a game versus Rockford on January 8th (Credit: Portraits by Deena)
Dallas has placed NHL All-Star Jamie Benn on the IR retroactive to January 14th and recalled AHL All-Star Matt Fraser in his place. While Texas is currently in the midst of a three game winning streak, Dallas is on a five game losing streak that has Coach Gulutzan upset and frustrated.

"How do you deal with the problem? You have to make them aware that they are not good enough – with or without Jamie Benn and Mike Ribeiro in the lineup – to not be a hardworking team. That’s the message. They are just not good enough."

So with that, Matt Fraser gets a chance to show that he is 'good enough' to make it in the NHL. He is the sort of player that Dallas could see fit to place in the top six of their lineup as they are missing Benn and Ribeiro for at least the next week. He could also get power play time as Coach Gulutzan has shown he is willing to do with a player like Larsen who demonstrated success with it at the AHL level.

For Texas, this is a big blow. Fraser is the leading scorer and a member of the top line with Morin and Hedden. He plays big power play minutes with the Benn and four forwards unit. Texas will need to look elsewhere for scoring in his absence. Luckily, the Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier line has been heating up over the last month and is ready to fill that void. The callup comes at an opportune time for Texas as they don't play again until the weekend. It is possible that Benn could be back by then or that Fraser misses two games with Texas at most before the All-Star break.

Finally, if Fraser is in the NHL at the time of the AHL All-Star game, an alternate representative will be chosen from Texas. This happened last year when Travis Morin was in Dallas, and Francis Wathier went in his place. Morin might get another chance at the All-Star game this year if that is the case. He is 12th in the league in points and #3 in assists.

Texas Downs Aeros 4-3 in Shootout

2012-01-21T23:00:00.003-06:00

Andrew Raycroft is now 6-2-1 with Texas this season and a huge reason for the Stars rise in the standings. (Credit: Portraits by Deena)
Thanks to a determined third period effort and some silky smooth shootout moves, Texas went two games above .500 for the first time this season and put together a three game win streak for the second time this season. The win pushes the Stars to #10 in the West and a 6-2-1-1 mark in the last ten games. Stephen Schultz, Mike Hedden and Colton Sceviour got regulation goals and Andrew Raycroft had 22 saves and pushed his record to 6-2-1.

"It just shows how hard these guys work," said Coach Pyle. "Our goal was to get the two wins [this weekend] if we could. The effort these guys put together in these two games is nothing short of phenomenal. They just never quit.

Houston scored first in this one as Mike Radja collected his first AHL goal of the season. The Stars outshot Houston 14-7 in the period but did not score. "In the first, we weren't bad, but we weren't good either," said Pyle.

Radja got his second of the year against Texas in the middle frame as well. A bit of a scramble play, Houston ended up with two forwards on the goal line against zero Stars defenders, making the tap in goal an easy one for Radja. The Stars waited until the end of the second to start the comeback. Stephen Schultz scored his seventh of the year and third of the weekend on the 5-on-3 power play, just before the penalty expired.

"Schultz is a sniper. I need a righty out there to fit the chemistry of the power play. On the first power play goal, not too many guys can make that shot. He finds a way to get chances."

Mike Hedden scored his second of the weekend, a shorthanded goal, just eighty seconds later. The goal was scored off a rush that really started before the power play had begun for Houston with their player coming out of the box behind the play. Hedden's net crashing play was deflated a bit as Houston went up 3-2 on the ensuing power play only 30 seconds later.

The Stars needed a comeback in the third to make it to overtime in this one. It was Colton Sceviour on the power play, assisted by Max Fortunus and Jordie Benn. The winger's 8th of the year made it 3-3 and gave Texas a chance to get to OT.

Once in OT, Texas had a close call as Ryan Garbutt took a high sticking penalty and the Stars needed to kill a 4-on-3 chance to make it to the shootout. Once there, Andrew Raycroft and the Stars forwards paired up to bring home a W for the sellout home crowd.

"In the shootout, I'm kind of blind," said Raycroft, who stopped three of five shooters. "I don't know who these players are, so I'm just going out there to try and get in the way."

Colton Sceviour scored on his "signature" move, and Hedden and Garbutt also potted So goals to make the final score 4-3. Texas is now tied in the season series with Houston at 4-4-0-0. They now have a long layoff until their next game, Friday at San Antonio. The team will get two days off after playing 7 games in 11 days.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Gazdic-Garbutt-Esposito
Hauswirth-Connolly-Schultz

Benn-Dillon
Fortunus-Lukowich
Labrie-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Berube, Godard (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Texas captain Brad Lukowich blocked a high shot with his chest in the second period and did not return to the game. He was sent to get x-rays.

Coach Pyle shuffled Stephen Schultz to the third line in place of Luke Gazdic for much of the second half of the game. The fourth line played sparingly in the third period.

Today's attendance was 6,863, Texas's second sellout of the season.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Houston - January 21 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Houston Aeros

2012-01-21T13:39:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
19-18-1-2, 41 pts
#12 Western Conference

Houston Aeros
21-9-3-7, 52 pts
#4 Western Conference

January 21st at 7:00 PM

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Houston and Texas meet in Cedar Park for the 8th of 12 meetings on the season this evening. Texas is looking to make it three in a row after defeating the Wolves and Rivermen already this week. Houston is coming off an overtime loss at home against San Antonio. For a bit of comparison, Houston is currently tied for its longest losing streak of the year at all of two games. If Texas beats them tonight, it will be their longest losing streak of the season at three.

Despite the feeling that many of the games have had, Texas is actually hanging pretty tough with the Aeros in the seaosn series. The Stars are 3-4-0-0 against the defending Western Conference champs. Meanwhile, Houston has been ravaged by injuries to their parent club recently. If you combine this with the Wild's sputtering offense, it's been a revolving door of call-ups as Mike Yeo tries to find the right combination of players to right the ship. From The Third Intermission:

Just in from St. Paul...next to board the Wild's Wild Transaction Train are Matt Kassian, Jed Ortmeyer, Chad Rau, and Nate Prosser. Returning to Houston on the Wild's Wild Transaction Train are Casey Wellman and David McIntyre.

Frankly, from the way the Wild have been playing, I wouldn't be too surprised if the Wild just send all of their NHLers to Houston and call up the entire Aeros squad. It's not like the AHL guys could do any worse in the NHL at the moment, right?

Houston just signed Chris Clackson today as well, since they played last night's game with just 17 skaters (typical is 18).

Overall, this is a good opportunity for a team that is on a roll to beat up on a good team that is struggling with unforeseen circumstances. Coach Pyle wants to play the same way that they did last night against Peoria, hard-nosed hockey and sticking up for each other.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour (callup)
Sawada, Tousignant (injury)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)

Stars Sink Rivermen By 6-2 Margin

2012-01-20T22:46:00.004-06:00

Mike Hedden celebrates his fifth goal of the year, the ultimate game winner in tonight's contest. (Credit: Portraits by Deena)
Aside from a brief sixty second lapse in the second period, the Texas Stars played one of the most complete team games of the season tonight in defeating the Peoria Rivermen 6-2 in Cedar Park. "After the road trip, we were worried about being flat," said Coach Pyle. "[Raycroft] made huges saves. [We got] big goals, and the power play and penalty kill were good again." Texas went 2/5 on power play and had a clean sheet of 0/4 on the penalty kill. AHL All-Star Matt Fraser chipped in four assists and Colorado College product Stephen Schultz had two goals, both on the power play. Andrew Raycroft came up big with a calm cool and collected 21 save performance in net.

The Stars came out on fire in the first. Across the first twenty minutes, they established dominance in all three zones, getting to pucks first and just being all around hungrier for the game's first goal. "From our goaltending to our defensemen breaking it out to our forward scoring, we're establishing ourselves out there," said Schultz. They were rewarded when a 3-on-1 gave Maxime Fortunus his fifth of the year, assisted by Mike Hedden and Matt Fraser. The Stars finished the period with a 14-4 shots advantage.

The two squads totalled five goals in a frenetic second period. Texas went first on the power play with Schultz tipping a point shot from Fraser to make it 2-0. Peoria battled back though and scored twice in the span of just 34 seconds. Cade Fairchild and Jonathan Cheechoo knotted things at two just 4:40 into the period. Coach Pyle knew the team would pull through though, "Lately this team has found a way to battle through those situations. It was a real character builder."

Peoria would not score the rest of the way as Texas outshot them 13-7 in the second frame, adding two more goals in the period. Mike Hedden scored the eventual game winner barreling down the slot and accepting a Fraser pass for the 3-2 lead. Glennie and Sceviour decided to do the same and Glennie potted his ninth of the season with a similar move five minutes later, ending the period at 4-2 for Texas.

The Stars got two special teams goals in the final period to seal things up. Stephen Schultz got his second of the night and sixth of the year on the power play with a mad scramble in front of the net getting over the line for a 5-2 advantage. FInally, with just 65 seconds left in the third, Ryan Garbutt scored shorthanded to make the final 6-2.

Texas had three fights in the game and really seemed to be playing together as a group more than before in the seaosn. "As a team, everyone is backing each other," said Coach Pyle. Schultz added: "This has been a close-knit team since day one".

Andrew Raycroft has been a calming positive influence on the club since his assignment to Cedar Park, according to both Schultz and Pyle. "Anytime you have an 8-10 year NHL vet goalie, it calms things down a bit," said Schultz. Coach Pyle intoned the same: "He's great in the locker room. When he says stuff in the locker room, which he does, guys listen. He adds energy and experience and he's been great since he's been here."

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Gazdic-Garbutt-Esposito
Hauswirth-Connolly-Schultz

Benn-Dillon
Fortunus-Lukowich
Labrie-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Berube, Godard (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Texas captain Brad Lukowich left the ice during the first period after a check to the head from Peluso. He returned in the second with a bruise over his eye and finished the game, collecting a plus-3 rating.

Today's attendance was 5,273.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Peoria - January 20 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Peoria Rivermen

2012-01-20T11:30:00.001-06:00

Texas Stars
18-18-1-2, 39 pts
#12 Western Conference

Peoria Rivermen
20-17-2-1, 43 pts
#8 Western Conference

January 20th at 7:30 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Texas returns home this evening after a four game road trip to face the #8 seeded Peoria Rivermen. Tonight's game will be Peoria's last visit to the Cedar Park Center for the 2011-12 regular season. Their previous visit on October 22nd end in a 6-5 OT win for the home club and afterwards degenerated into a full team scuffle at center ice. Texas went to Peoria five days later, losing in regulation 5-3.

Cedar Park Center fan 'favorite' Ben Bishop is the big man in net for the Rivermen this season. After seeing Jake Allen usurp much of his starting time with a fantastic rookie season, Allen is 3-9-1 with a 3.49 GAA and .901 SV%. Bishop has rebounded himself with a 17-10-0 record, 2.17 GAA and .932 SV%. It has to be disappointing for Bishop, who played his junior hockey in Texas, to see Blues goalie Brian Elliot signed this week through 2013-14. With Jaroslav Halak, the Blues are set in net until the summer of 2014. Bishop is on a one-year contract with RFA status at the end of the season. Is he trade bait if the Blues want a piece coming down the stretch here? Perhaps. He's earned a shot at the NHL, but it doesn't look like it will be in St. Louis.

T.J. Hensick leads all Rivs on offense with 14-33-47. The next closest point-getter is Brett Sterling (16-18-34) followed by Derek Nesbitt (14-14-28). For Texas, Travis Morin continues to lead the pack in points at 34, but Fraser isn't far behind at 31. Twenty-one of those are goal which ties him for second in the league among all players and among rookies. Jordie Benn is also tied for second among defenseman scoring with eight goals. Interstingly enough, Maxime Fortunus leads all defensemen in the league with three game winning goals. That's pretty good, considering he's only got four goals on the season total.

Despite their current 12th place ranking in the standings, both by points and percentage, the Stars are in better shape for the playoffs than in may seem. By my math, they are right in the thick of it with Peoria, Hamilton and San Antonio. They need a 22-15 record (or something else that gets them 44 points) from here to keep a one point lead on the current 8th place pace (82 point pace + 1) over 76 games.

Stars injury/call up report:
Sawada, Tousignant (upper body)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Website: rivermen.net
Blog (beat writer): Cleve's World
Blog (unofficial): The Peoria Rivermen Blog
Twitter: @peoria_rivermen
Twitter (beat writer): @icetimecleve
Twitter (blog writer): @LetsGoRivs

Texas Evens Roadtrip with 4-3 Win in Chicago

2012-01-18T21:25:00.001-06:00

Texas finished off their four game road trip with a 2-2 split thanks to a three goal second period in Chicago this evening. A two-for-two power play effort and near flawless PK sent the Stars to a "W" before 3,032 fans at the Allstate Arena. Jordie Benn extended his scoring lead among defenseman with his eighth of the year as Fraser did the same among all players with his 21st. Andrew Raycroft had 23 saves on 26 shots.

Chicago opened the scoring in this one just three minutes in as Nathan Longpre wrapped around the Texas net to beat Andrew Raycroft for his seventh of the year. Texas jumped on the power play at the five minute mark after Victor Oreskovich delivered a check to the head of Mike Hedden. Hedden did not miss a shift but Oreskovich hurt himself in the process went to the locker room. Brad Lukowich found twine on the ensuing power play with Francis Wathier screening out Eddie Lack in front. Linemates Glennie and Sceviour picked up the assists on the power play goal. Shots ended at 10-10 in the period as the score was tied at one.

The Wolves once again scored first in the second period. Jordan Schroeder finished off a two-on-one with a one timer to beat Raycroft at the 2:45 mark of the period. Texas answered right back 23 seconds later. Jordie Benn snapped a wrister from the top of the circles to tie things at two a piece. Jake Hauswirth and Brendan Connolly both picked up their first assists with the Stars on the goal.

The Stars were not done in the period yet though. Just before the 14 minute mark, Matt Fraser tallied his 21st of the season, this one at even strength. Mike Hedden sent a glorious cross-ice pass to Fraser's stick, which he finished off in typical fashion. Just under a minute later, with Texas on the power play, Max Fortunus sent one low on Lack for his fourth of the year. The Stars outshot Chicago 15-6 in the period to take a commanding 4-2 lead overall.

Chicago got a third goal in the third period on the power play late. Mike Duco scored with a 6-on-4 advantage to set things at 4-3 for Texas, but a minute of 6-on-5 would not give Chicago the game tying goal.

Tonight's lines:
Gazdic-Garbutt-Esposito
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Hauswirth-Connolly-Schultz

Fortunus-Lukowich
Benn-Dillon
Berube-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Labrie, Godard (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Today's attendance was 3,032.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Chicago - January 18 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars at Chicago Wolves

2012-01-18T10:00:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
17-18-1-2, 37 pts
#14 Western Conference

Chicago Wolves
21-13-1-3, 46 pts
#6 Western Conference

January 18th at 7:00 PM

Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL

The Wolves and Stars meet for the third of four this season and the last in Chicago as Texas round out a four game road trip. For Chicago, this is the final game of a six game home stand, on which they have gone 4-1 so far. After going 6-0 against the Wolves last season, Texas is 0-2 against this year's iteration, each game a regulation loss.

Darren Haydar and Mark Mancari lead the Wolves on offense. Each is a point per game player or better on the season. Kevin Connauton leads the power play pack with six PPGs. The Wolves are #11 on the PP at home (19.5%). They are #2 in the league on the home PK at 89%. They are far worse on the road at #22 with 79.3%.

In other random stats, the Wolves have outscored their opponents in both the first and second over the course of the season but are outmatched 25-32 in the third period. This has contributed to an 0-10 record when trailing after two. Of course, leading after two they are a stingy 19-2. Essentially, as is the case in most games in the league, after two periods you might as well pack up, because the team that's up is winning that game. To be exact, 85% of the time in the AHL this season, the team ahead after two walks away with two points. 94% of the time they get at least one. The team down after two loses in regulation 76% of the time and gets a point just 9% of the time.

Goaltending for the Wolves features a familiar pair. Matt Climie is the clubhouse leader with 12-5-0 record, 2.44 GAA and .927 SV%. Second year pro Eddie Lack is behind him at 9-9-3, 2.58 GAA and .917 SV%. These are a drastic improvement over his early season numbers, which showed his struggles coming in. As Lack recovered, the two have been splitting starts pretty equally, each with five starts since the Christmas break.

Texas returns Francis Wathier for tonight's game, sure to be a boon to the offense and defense alike. Coach Pyle will get to reunite the vet winger with rookie Glennie and third year man Sceviour hoping to rekindle some of their scoring touch from earlier in the month.

Stars injury/call up report:
Sawada, Tousignant (upper body)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Website: chicagowolves.com
Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves
Twitter: @theshaves (Wolves PxP)

Texas Stars Report: Trending Up?

2012-01-17T15:00:00.000-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

It was yet another up and down week for the Texas Stars (17-18-1-2, 37 pts, #13 Western Conference). Texas went 2-2 on the week but in uneven fashion, winning against one of the best teams in the league and losing to the absolute worst. Consistency has been an issue all season for this club and it is now exacerbated by losing a key veteran piece in Francis Wathier.

The biggest storyline of the week has been the play of Wathier and his linemates, Colton Sceviour and Scott Glennie. All three are of particular interest to Dallas fans, none more so than first round pick Glennie. With the high pick, high expectations were set. Glennie has finally started to evolve his game to resemble what scouts saw in Brandon of the WHL. Coach Pyle definitely points to the concussion early season and some systems work that needed to be done as the reasons for the slow start. In the last six games, Glennie has eight points (4g, 4a) including two three-point efforts.

Colton Sceviour also picked up his game over the past few weeks. In the ten games since Christmas, Sceviour has four goals and eleven assists, including two game-winners. He's coming up all over the scoresheet and in clutch situations. Wathier, not to be outdone, is quietly having a career year. He is team-best plus-10 as well on a team that has struggled in that area. The next player behind him in that category is vet Brad Lukowich at plus-5.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Vincour Healthy, Wathier Assigned

2012-01-17T14:51:00.003-06:00

With Tomas Vincour coming off the IR today, Francis Wathier was assigned to Texas this afternoon. By my count, that still leaves Dallas with just 12 forwards, so I'm not sure about this assignment. However, Texas will certainly welcome Wathier back to the lineup after missing him in Monday's game against Rockford. Bachman gets the start tonight for Dallas.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has activated Tomas Vincour from injured reserve and assigned Francis Wathier to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Vincour, 21, has missed the last 14 games with a lower body injury after being placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dallas’ game on Dec. 15 against the New York Islanders. The 6-2, 204-pound forward has skated in 14 games for Dallas this season, recording one goal and two assists for three points. He has been an even or plus player in 11 contests for the Stars so far this season.

Wathier, 27, went scoreless in his lone game with Dallas registering three hits in 5:25 of ice time. He leads the Texas Stars (AHL) with a +10 rating in 37 games, accumulating eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points.

Stars Shutout By IceHogs 2-0

2012-01-16T15:20:00.001-06:00

Andrew Raycroft stops a puck in this afternoon's game as Hubert Labrie blocks out IceHog Jeremy Morin. (Credit: Greg Hamil)
For the first time on the season, Texas failed to score a goal as simple but effective goaltending for Rockford got the job done this afternoon in Illinois. The 2-0 score is really deceiving as the game was closer than that. Both teams traded quality chances throughout the contest with both tenders getting solid stops.

Texas was outshot by the IceHogs 13-9 in the first period, but neither team could score as the teams traded power play chances but played mostly at even strength.

After taking the two penalties on the afternoon to that point, it was Brandon Svendsen breaking up the scoreless tie. Brandon Pirri threaded a puck through several Stars defenders and found Svendsen open alone on Raycroft's right side. He would not miss the open net to make it 1-0 for the Hogs. Texas gave the Hogs two more power play opps in the period, but neither would go for Rockford. Shots in the period were 11-8 for Rockford.

The Stars outshot the Hogs in the final period 16-10. It was a late period penalty by Angelo Esposito that put things out of reach for the Stars. With Esposito in the box, Jeremy Morin tallied his 9th of the year for the IceHogs and pushed the advantage to 2-0. Texas would get a late power play to go 6-on-4 with Raycroft on the bench, but it wouldn't come to pass.

Texas will travel to Chicago for a Wednesday night game before returning home for the weekend.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Sceviour-Glennie-Garbutt
Esposito-Connolly-Schultz
Gazdic-Hauswirth-Godard

Fortunus-Lukowich
Benn-Dillon
Labrie-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Berube (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour, Wathier (callup)

Today's attendance was 4,717.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Rockford - January 16 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars at Rockford IceHogs

2012-01-15T20:55:00.002-06:00

Texas Stars
17-17-1-2, 37 pts
#13 Western Conference

Rockford IceHogs
14-21-1-3, 32 pts
#15 Western Conference

January 16th at 1:05 PM

BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, IL

It's a 1 o'clock game, so if you'll excuse references to "today" and "yesterday", I'm publishing a little early to make sure everyone can read before the game.

It's only January and yet the Texas Stars are already starting to finish out the season series against some teams. Today, they will close the book on their series with the Rockford IceHogs in a matinee game between the two in Illinois.

These two teams tangled last weekend in Cedar Park with Texas winning one in regulation and Rockford taking the second in OT. Both games were imminently winnable for the Stars. Texas has claimed five of six points available against the Hogs and needs to make it seven out of eight to keep themselves afloat in the playoff race. After idling on Sunday, Texas was leapfrogged by several teams to drop them from #10 to #13 in the conference.

And just as they were beginning to pick up steam, Dallas's injury woes got worse. Mike Ribeiro's "nothing" injury turned into a knee problem that will keep him out until after the All-Star break, and Jamie Benn had an emergency appendectomy that will keep him out for at least ten days. Francis Wathier has already been recalled and another forward, mostly likely a center like Travis Morin, should be expected to be called. Dallas has only playing 12 forwards tomorrow in St. Louis.

Since last weekend, Rockford has been on a road swing, losing to Chicago and San Antonio but defeating the league leaders, OKC, in overtime 2-1. That shows how dangerous this team is, and they cannot be looked past. Luckily for the Stars, they traveled overnight on Saturday and spent Sunday resting up and watching some football to make sure they have fresh legs for their game today.

The continued success of Colton Sceviour and Scott Glennie could be affected by the Stars' callup of Wathier. It will remain to be seen. Additionally, Texas could welcome Angelo Esposito to the team for his first game. Esposito will wear #16. Other Stars to wear #16 include Michael Neal, Fabian Brunnstrom and Sean Backman.

Stars injury/call up report:
Sawada, Tousignant (upper body)
Larsen, Vincour, Wathier (callup)

Website: icehogs.com
Blog (unofficial): Rockford IceHogs Fan Blog
Twitter: @goicehogs

Dallas Calls For Francis Wathier

2012-01-15T14:28:00.003-06:00

The Dallas Stars have recalled Francis Wathier from the Texas Stars today as the forwards in Dallas are battling the flu and Mike Ribeiro is expected to be out until after the All-Star Break with a knee injury.

Wathier has quietly been having a career year in Texas. In addition to being on a pace for a career-high 47 points, he is plus-10 on a team that has battled to keep the puck out of the net at times. He is a veteran leader on the team and is deserving of a callup. The hope now is that due to his two years with Coach Gulutzan in Cedar Park, he gets to see time on the ice in Dallas instead of in the press box.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has recalled forward Francis Wathier from the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Wathier, 27, has skated in 37 games for Texas this season, accumulating eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points. He currently leads the AHL club with a +10 rating and is tied for second with 57 penalty minutes. The 6-4, 218-pound forward from St. Isidore, ON has been held scoreless in eight career NHL games with Dallas, registering four shots and five penalty minutes in that span. Wathier was Dallas’ sixth-round selection (185th overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

(Image credit: Portraits by Deena)

Stars Fall 2-1 to Ads in Tight Game

2012-01-14T21:25:00.002-06:00

Whenever the Admirals and Stars tangle, the only time the differential is more than one is when there's an empty netter. Even though both clubs have changed coaches since last season, Texas and Milwaukee's low-scoring nature really comes out against each other. Tonight's game was no exception. Texas got a goal from Mike Hedden, but Milwaukee collected two in just 75 seconds in the first. That was the difference. Texas ends its four game point streak, and Milwaukee broke a three-game losing skid with the W.

With Francis Wathier in the box, Juuso Puustinen got things started for the Ads in the first period, beating Andrew Raycroft over the left shoulder for his 13th of the year. Only 75 seconds later, Joel Champagne added his fourth of the season to set the score at an early 2-0 advantage for Milwaukee. Champagne's goal came on the rebound of an initial Ryan Flynn shot.

As the first wound down, Mike Hedden cut the lead to 2-1 for Milwaukee as his fourth of the season found twine. The hot hands of Colton Sceviour assisted on the play. Milwaukee outshot Texas 12-11 in the period.

The second and third period were mostly quiet, traditional low-scoring fair between these two teams. Texas outshot the Ads 9-5 in the second but neither team tallied a goal.

Texas got a late chance the Joel Champagne in the penalty box but could not convert on the power play. Francis Wathier took a cross-checking penalty with just 49 seconds left to seal things up for the Milwaukee Admirals.

Jeremy Smith finished with 22 saves in the contest and Raycroft with 23. The Stars are next in action against the Rockford IceHogs on Monday afternoon.

Tonight's lines:
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Garbutt-Connolly-Schultz
Gazdic-Hauswirth-Godard

Benn-Dillon
Fortunus-Lukowich
Labrie-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant, Sawada (injury)
Esposito, Berube (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 6,885.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Milwaukee - January 14 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars at Milwaukee Admirals

2012-01-14T12:00:00.002-06:00

Texas Stars
17-16-1-2, 37 pts
#10 Western Conference

Milwaukee Admirals
20-13-0-1, 41 pts
#7 Western Conference

January 14th at 7:00 PM

Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI

Coming off two big wins, the Stars rumble into Milwaukee this evening for their second and final game in Wisconsin this regular season. The former division rivals will only faceoff four times this season with both contests in Cedar Park coming back-to-back in early February. In one previous meeting on the year, the Stars cruised to a 5-3 matinee win, riding a 50% PP effort, perfect PK and solid goaltending. Sounds like the exact same combination Texas would want again tonight against the Ads.

The Stars enter this game on a four-game point streak and with a 5-3-1-1 record in the last ten games. Their win last night was big in so many ways. It was not only a come-from-behind victory, something that has been dreadfully rare for all three iterations of the Texas Stars, but it got Texas above .500. It is helpful to remember how spoiled the Stars' fan base has been previously. Aside from Texas's 0-1 record to start the 2009-20 season, this season was the first time that the Stars were under .500 for longer than one game. By my math, Texas needs 23 wins out of 40 remaining to get themselves to the playoffs from here. Those aren't bad odds.

The odds get even better when you see that Texas has manufactured three solid lines that can score goals. Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier is scoring at an insane pace while Fraser-Morin-Hedden features two of the top scorers in the league and some grit from Hedden to boot. Connolly-Garbutt-Sawada could be broken up due to injury but Garbutt and Sawada have both performed well this year, and the Stars look to have a winner in Connolly. Angelo Esposito will join the lineup for tonight's game, the first Texas Stars midseason trade acquisition. My guess is that he will displace Hauswirth, if he makes it to Milwaukee in time.

The Admirals come into tonight's game having dropped their last three contests against Charlotte, Peoria and Chicago. The Ads had Jeremy Smith in goal last night and are playing a three-in-three this weekend, so it's a tossup if Smith or Engren make the start against Texas. Smith is the stud in net for Milwaukee going 16-6-1 with a 2.23 GAA and .918 SV%. Engren is sporting a 3-5-0 record with a 3.11 GAA and .890 SV%.

Familiar face Chris Mueller leads the Ads with 15-11-26 in 32 games. Juuso Puustinen follows him with 12-11-23 in 34 games. Rookie Michael Latta rounds out the top three with 11-12-23 in 34 games and a gaudy plus-14 rating and team-leading 60 PIMs. He is not even the best plus-minus on the team as defenseman Tyler Sloan clocks in at plus-18. The other half of the dynamic duo from last year's playoffs, Gabriel Bourque, is currently with the Nashville Predators and scored his first NHL goal in a loss to the Dallas Stars last week.

On the coaching side, the last time Texas played the Ads it was Kirk Muller behind the bench for Milwaukee. Muller has moved on to the NHL's Hurricanes and Ian Herbers is at the reigns now. Under Muller, the Ads were 10-6-0-1 and under Herbers they are 10-7.

Stars injury/call up report:
Sawada (questionable)
Tousignant (upper body)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Admirals Web Resources:
Website: milwaukeeadmirals.com
Blog (Official): In The Crease
Blog (Unofficial): Admirals Roundtable (@adsroundtable)
Twitter: @mkeadmirals

Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier Line Powers Stars to 6-4 Win

2012-01-13T20:30:00.003-06:00

For the first time since November 11th, the Stars are above .500 thanks to some fantastic work from Scott Glennie, Colton Sceviour and Francis Wathier. Glennie potted two goals, including the game winner, and added an assist while Sceviour assisted three times, including the primary on the game winner. Wathier picked up the Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, an assist, and a fight. This was a big win for Texas in all kinds of ways. It was a comeback win that showed this team has the character to stay in games no matter the deficit.

The game started off with a bang as an unexpected shot from the right wing circle by Willie Coetzee beat Raycroft clean for a 1-0 Griffins lead. The goal was scored on the first shot of the night for either team.

Greg Amadio ran Colton Sceviour just five minutes into the period, earning himself a five minute major and a game misconduct for interference. Texas cashed in on the ensuing power play twice but not without giving up a shorty. Ryan Garbutt tipped a Maxime Fortunus shot to tie things at one.

Two minutes later a two-on-one breakaway from Andersson and Gustav Nyquist led to a shorthanded goal for the Griffins with Andersson finishing it off to make it 2-1. Only thirteen seconds later, it was Texas getting the tying goal on the power play. Scott Glennie finished off a nice cross-ice pass from Colton Sceviour to make it two all. Brad Lukowich had the second assist on both power play tallies.

Still in the first period, Grand Rapids put two more up. The Stars allowed a 4-on-2 rush and former Star Chris Conner made them pay, setting things at 3-2. Griffins leading scorer Gustav Nyquist added another to his goal count to make it 4-2. Only then did the first end. Shots were 15-8 for Texas and the Griffins scored on half of their shots in the frame.

The second period belonged to the Stars. The shots were more even but Texas was the club making them count. With Travis Morin in the box for hooking, Matt Fraser added his second shorthanded goal in as many games to extend his goal scoring lead to twenty on the season. Speedy center Ryan Garbutt assisted on the play. Four minutes later, Francis Wathier absolutely obliterated a shot, going roof on Tom McCollum for the game-tying goal. Shots were 14-13 for Texas again in the second.

As many Griffins fans were still finding their seats to start the third, Scott Glennie popped home his second of the night and eighth of the year only twenty-one seconds in. The goal set the score at 5-4 for Texas. The Griffins took two minor penalties in the last six minutes of the game, setting them at a distinct disadvantage to even the score at five.

With seventy seconds left, Griffins tender Tom McCollum would be pulled for the extra skater. Travis Morin would add an empty netter with just one second left to seal the win.

Tonight's lines:
Sceviour-Glennie-Wathier
Garbutt-Connolly-Sawada
Fraser-Morin-Hedden
Hauswirth-Schultz-Gazdic

Fortunus-Lukowich
Benn-Dillon
Labrie-Spang

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Tousignant (injury)
Godard, Roman, Berube (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Ray Sawada played in his first game in ten contests but left the game in the second after a rough hit and did not return.

Tonight's attendance was 8,791.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Grand Rapids - January 13 2012

Stars Trade Roman to Florida for Esposito

2012-01-13T19:54:00.003-06:00

The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars traded minor league forwards this evening during the Texas Stars game in Grand Rapids. Ondrej Roman is on his way to the Florida system, where he will likely play with the San Antonio Rampage. Texas will receive Angelo Esposito, former first round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Esposito has played in Chicago and San Antonio in the AHL. Esposito's most notable career achievement is likely scoring the game-winning goal at the 2009 World Junior Championships to secure the gold medal for Team Canada.

For both players it seems like a trade where the teams are hoping that a change of scenery would improve their performance. Both have dipped down into the ECHL this season for a few games, and I don't project either as NHL prospects at this point in their careers.

Texas and the Rampage face each other six more times on the season, four of those in Cedar Park.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has traded left wing Ondrej Roman to the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Angelo Esposito.

Esposito, 22, has played in 16 games for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, collecting two goals and three assists totaling five points and eight penalty minutes. Prior to his professional career, Esposito spent parts of four seasons with the Quebec Ramparts and the Montreal Juniors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He scored the game-winning goal at the 2009 World Junior Championships to secure the gold medal for Team Canada. The 6-0, 190-pound forward from Montreal, QC was selected by Pittsburgh as the 20th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Roman, 22, has spent the majority of the season with the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the AHL collecting one goal and four assists totaling five points and four penalty minutes with the club. The 6-0, 185-pound forward was selected by Dallas in the fifth round (136th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

(Image credit: Ron Byrd)

Gameday Preview: Stars at Grand Rapids Griffins

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
16-16-1-2, 35 pts
#13 Western Conference

Grand Rapids Griffins
15-13-4-3, 37 pts
#11 Western Conference

January 13th at 6:00 PM

Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids MI

The Stars begin a four game road swing against the North and Midwest division with tonight's game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Detroit farm club has not faced off against the Stars since March 26th of last year and will face Texas four times this year, heavily backloaded in the schedule to March and April.

The Griffins come into tonight's game after losing to the Aeros in a shootout on Thursday. Grand Rapids is on a seven game point streak, going 3-0-3-1 over that time. Texas is on a four game point streak of its own at 2-0-1-1.

Forward and AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist leads the Griffins on offense and ranks 17th in the league with 9-23-32. For comparison, Travis Morin is tied with him with 32 points via four goals and 28 assists. Tomas Tatar (10-19-29) and Jamie Johnson (14-13-27) follow Nyquist on offense. Former Stars Chris Conner (8-17-25 in 21 games) and Fabian Brunnstrom (2-5-7 in 12 games) also dot the roster.

The Griffins are currently nursing an injury in net. Jordan Pearce sprained his ankle in a 3-2 OT loss to the Peoria Rivermen on December 30th. Joey MacDonald is the starter regardless, going 8-8-2 with a 2.78 GAA and .906 SV%. Tom McCollum was called up from Toledo and has garnered a 6-3-0 record on the season with 2.78 GAA and .909 SV%.

The Griffins ranks 22nd on the power play at 16.2% and 16th on the PK at 82.5%. Grand Rapids is 10th in the league in penalty minutes with 17.71 per game. Garnet Exelby leads the club and is third in the league with 119 PIMs.

On Texas's side of things, the Texas Stars Report had previously discussed what the Stars need to catchup with the pack. After the Stars' win on Wednesday, not much has changed. In the remaining 41 games, Texas needs to go 24-17 (or some combination that gets them 48 points such as 22-15-2-2) to catch up with the pace that the eighth place Rochester Americans are setting. A good swing through the other two divisions would be a good start. Really anything to get Texas away from the West Division would help right now. It starts tonight with the Griffins.

Stars injury/call up report:
Sawada (upper body)
Tousignant (upper body)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Website: griffinshockey.com
Twitter: @GriffinsHockey
Blog: Griffins Hockey on MLive.com

Jace Coyle Assigned to Idaho

2012-01-12T15:51:00.001-06:00

Jace Coyle in the Stars November 12th game against Abbotsford (Credit: Portraits by Deena)
The Texas Stars announced today that the club has assigned defenseman Jace Coyle to the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads. He will join the Steelheads on their road trip in Utah as Texas travels to Grand Rapids today via Chicago.

Between Coyle and Labrie, either one or both were intended to spend the majority of the season in Idaho. Both have spent extended time with Texas due to injuries in Dallas including Philip Larsen, Sheldon Souray and Stephane Robidas. Hubert Labrie made the most of his callup and has played a hard-nosed game to earn a spot on the roster nightly. Coyle still needs more seasoning in the ECHL, where he performed well previously.

This leave Texas with the following blue liners: Fortunus-Lukowich, Benn-Spang Dillon-Labrie, and Berube.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars announced on Thursday that defenseman Jace Coyle has been reassigned from the Texas Stars to the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. Texas is Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL) and Idaho is Dallas’ ECHL affiliate.

The rookie defenseman has split time between Idaho and Texas this year, recording an assist in 17 games with the Stars this season. He also spent three games with Idaho in early December, setting up one goal for his lone ECHL point. The 21-year-old spent the last three years playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder enjoyed his best WHL in 2009-10, setting up 36 goals and totaling 46 points in 68 games played. In 241 WHL games from 2007-11, Coyle scored 25 goals and totaled 107 points. The undrafted defenseman attended training camp with the NHL’s Dallas Stars in 2011 and played for the Stars in the 2011 Traverse City Prospects camp.

Chaparral Ice Announces Closing Date, Farewell Party

2012-01-12T10:37:00.006-06:00

As we have previously documented here, the Chaparral Ice hockey rink at I-35 is officially closing the doors this weekend after 15 years in the Central Texas area. The rink, which once featured Austin Ice Bats games, has been the home of amateur league hockey in Austin for many years. It is safe to say that the Ice Bats and Chaparral laid the foundation for the Texas Stars making it to Cedar Park.

To celebrate their time here in Austin, the Chap Ice is holding a customer appreciation event this weekend. See the details below for more information. The Chap Ice will be sorely missed.

Well, the time has finally come. The I-35 location is officially closing the doors for good Sunday, January 15, 2012. To celebrate all the years of patronage you have given us, we are hosting a customer appreciation party Sunday, January 15 with food and many events scheduled throughout the day. All the food and events are free. The only catch is that we ask that you RSVP back to the following link (https://registration.pointhog.com/Chap/RSVP.aspx) if you plan to attend the skate party between 1:00 and 4:00 pm so that we know how much food we need to get. If you want to attend any of the stick and pucks or drop-ins scheduled (see below for specifics), please call the I-35 front desk to be put on the list. Please call in advance as spots may fill up fast. Pro-shop hours are Mon-Fri 5-9 pm and Sat. from 12-5pm.

12:15 - 1:15 PM I-35 RED - HIGH SCHOOL DROP-IN
1:00 - 4:00 PM I-35 BLUE - PUBLIC SKATING AND FOOD
1:30 - 2:30 PM I-35 RED - 10 AND UNDER STICK AND PUCK
2:45 - 3:45 PM I-35 RED - 11-14 YEAR OLD STICK AND PUCK
4:00 - 5:00 PM I-35 RED - ADULT (18+) STICK AND PUCK
4:15 - 5:15 PM I-35 BLUE - A LEAGUE ADULT DROP-IN
5:15 - 6:15 PM I-35 RED - C LEAGUE ADULT DROP-IN
5:30 - 6:30 PM I-35 BLUE - B LEAGUE ADULT DROP-IN

Sceviour Launches Stars Past Heat 2-1

2012-01-11T22:45:00.004-06:00

(Credit: Portraits by Deena)
Some strong defensive play and a little bit of puck luck put the Texas Stars past the Abbotsford Heat for the first time this season tonight in Cedar Park. The game had the looks of a goalie battle early as both teams were scoreless through the first. "We focused on being on the defensive side of pucks and waiting for our opportunities and taking advantage of them," said Stephen Schultz, who potted one in the game off an opportunistic bounce. Colton Sceviour collected the game winner with just 11.7 seconds left in the third period.

"The puck turned over somehow. I was yelling for it, and [Glennie] threw it to me," said Sceviour. "I made sure I could hit the net, and it went right where I wanted it to." The win puts Texas back at .500 for the season.

Texas and Abbotsford skated to a scoreless first as Texas outshot the Heat 11-2 through the first 16 minuntes of the period. Abbotsford caught up in the last four minutes to finish at 11-8 shots advantage for Texas.

The games first goal didn't come until the last 64 seconds of the second period, in fact, when Danny Taylor fumbled a puck in his glove, dropping it and allowing Stephen Schultz to pot his fourth of the year unassisted. It was a good Johnny-on-the-spot play for the rookie forward, who has been thrust into more and more offensive situations with callups and injuries.

Danny Taylor would actually be pulled for the third period despite stopping 33 of 34 shots against in the game. There was no indication of injury to the tender. A similar play would tie the score as Andrew Raycroft mishandled a puck and allowed Quintin Laing his tenth of the year at the eleven minute mark of the third period.

Once again locked in a tie, Texas battled it out with defensive hockey to hopefully push the game to OT. "Any time you give up one goal against there's a pretty good chance we're going to win or at least get a point," said Sceviour.

It was Sceviour who was the game's hero and number one star. Skating down the right wing with Scott Glennie, a turnover generated a two-on-one. Sceviour pasted one to the top-right corner of the net with just 11.7 seconds left. Texas held on through the last few seconds, aided by a Heat penalty for throwing a stick on the ice from the bench, to win 2-1.

As to what was different in this game, Texas targeted the top line of the Heat for matchups. "They barrage you with hits to take advantage," said Sceviour. "We were able to get our matchup with their top line. That top line with Kolanos, Walter and Rheault is a big component getting a lot of offense for them."

Texas now travels to the Midwest to play Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Rockford and Chicago. They will try to play the same game as they did tonight against the Heat to collect some much needed wins.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Morin-Hedden
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Hauswirth-Connolly-Godard
Gazdic-Roman-Schultz

Spang-Dillon
Labrie-Berube
Fortunus-Lukowich

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Sawada, Tousignant (injury)
Hauswirth, Benn, Fraser, Coyle (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Matt Fraser felt under the weather, tried things out in warmups and wasn't feeling well enough to go tonight.

Tonight's attendance was 3,640.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Abbotsford - January 11 2012

Dallas Returns Jordie Benn

2012-01-11T14:25:00.002-06:00

With seven healthy defensemen, Dallas decided to assigned blue liner Jordie Benn to the Texas Stars. Benn appeared in two games for the Stars, notching his first NHL point against Detroit on a Michael Ryder goal that was also assisted by his brother, Jamie. Jordie finished even in his stint.

He returns as the Texas Stars leading defensive scorer despite his absence. In addition, according to Cap Geek, he banked $32,000 in his stint at the NHL level. Not bad at all and well deserved for a talented undrafted defenseman who started his career in the CHL.

Benn is not expected to be in the lineup, however, for the Stars tonight as the big club was in Anaheim last night.

(Image credit: Jeff Hanisch)

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Abbotsford Heat

2012-01-11T11:01:00.004-06:00

Texas Stars
15-16-1-2, 33 pts
#14 Western Conference

Abbotsford Heat
23-10-3-0, 49 pts
#4 Western Conference

January 11th at 7:30 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

It's been a bad beat for the Texas Stars against the Abbotsford Heat this season. Texas is 0-3-0-1 against the boys from BC this year with their only point coming at Texas on November 11th, the first game between the teams. Since then, Texas is 0-3 against the Flames farm team, being outscored 10-5 in those games.

When Texas began the series against the Heat, it was all about Leland Irving in net and Krys Kolanos up front. Kolanos continues to dominate the offense for the Heat, ranking 6th in the league with 17 goals and 21 assists in only 27 games played. However, Irving is up with the Flames, stopping pucks behind Kipper in Calgary. That doesn't mean that the Heat's netminding has suffered. Danny Taylor has stepped in admirably, going 8-3-0 with a better than Irving 2.02 GAA and .940 SV%. Joni Ortio has continued to get only backup minutes, losing all three decisions he has been in and hitting a 3.07 GAA and .869 SV%. Taylor has made the most of his callup for sure.

Stars forward Francis Wathier sets for the faceoff opposite Heat defenseman Chris Breen in Abbotsford before New Year's. (Credit: Judy True)

The Heat are good on the power play and the penalty kill, ranking #10 (19.7%) on the PP and #2 (87%) on the PK. Texas's PP has been trending downward (#6, 20.9%), not hard to do after clipping along at >33% early in the season, but the PK is trending majorly upward. After starting the season in 29th in the league, Texas is up to 13th in the league (83.1%). It has become an important part of the Stars' game, as Ross showed us yesterday. Texas is 3-12 when they allow a power play goal against and 12-7 when they don't. Surprisingly for many who followed the success of the power play in the early season, the PK is a more reliable indicator of success for the Stars.

So how do you make this a W? Obviously strong PK is a great start. It's even better not to need your PK if you can avoid penalties, especially "stupid penalties" like the one that sent Texas to a loss in OT on Sunday. The PP isn't as important, but it doesn't hurt. Abbotsford crushed the Rampage last night 5-0. It would be nice to stop the trend of allowing two first period goals as well. The Heat will suffocate you if you let them.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Benn (callup)
Sawada (upper boday, but could return tonight)
Tousignant (upper body)
Spang (upper body, but should be back tonight)
Glennie (questionable)

Website: abbotsfordheat.com
Blog (unofficial): BC Local News: Abby News
Newspaper: Abbotsford Times
Twitter: @abbotsfordheat
Twitter (play-by-play): @RyanPinder

Texas Stars Report: Facing an Uphill Battle

2012-01-10T18:00:00.001-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

Just three games were on the schedule for the Texas Stars (15-16-1-2, 33 pts, #14 Western Conference) this week, and the Stars got four of a possible six points. It's been a rough year so far for the Cedar Park faithful, so Stars' fans will take the points even if three of the four come against the worst team in the league, the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks).

Right now, Texas sits in the 14th spot in the conference. Doing the math, Texas will need to improve their winning percentage from .485 to .583 to make up for their current deficit and pull into the 8th seed by the end of the season. That's a 25-17 mark for those keeping track at home. It wouldn't be impossible if not for their record against the West Division, the teams they face the most.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Stars Pick Up ECHL's #3 Scorer, F Brendan Connolly

2012-01-10T14:50:00.003-06:00

The Texas Stars announced the signing of center Brendan Connolly today to a professional tryout contract. Connolly is a spark plug type player who skates fast and scores goals for the Greenville Road Warriors. He is a third year pro and finished plus-28 in last year's season, earning him the ECHL Plus Performer of the Year Award. That's a good attribute on a team that has struggled to keep the puck out of the net. He's a smaller player but it hasn't hurt those goal and assists totals at 20 goals and 23 assists for the year in just 31 games. He has previously played with Adirondack in the AHL, skating in three games recording no points.

He played his collegiate hockey at, stop me if you've heard this one, Ferris State. Previous Texas players to lace up their skates at FSU include Greg Rallo, Cody Chupp and Mike Embach.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars announced on Tuesday that the team has signed forward Brendan Connolly to a PTO (professional tryout agreement).

Connolly is currently third overall in the ECHL scoring race, potting 20 goals and dishing out 23 assists for 43 points in 31 games with Greenville. Connolly leads his team in goals, assists, points and penalty minutes (121). Overall, Connolly is second in the league in goals, fifth in assist and seventh in penalty minutes. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound forward is in his third full season of pro hockey, spending the bulk of his career in the ECHL with Greenville and Elmira. The Canmore, AB, native has suited up 143 times in the ECHL, scoring 61 goals and totaling 132 points. In 2010-11, Connolly played in three games for Adirondack of the AHL, going scoreless in his time with the Phantoms. Prior to turning pro, the 26-year-old played four seasons at Ferris State University, scoring 35 goals and totaling 81 points in 147 CCHA games.

Guest Post: Taking a Stars Stats Deep Dive

2012-01-10T11:10:00.004-06:00

Today we welcome friend of the blog and dedicated stat nerd Ross Bonander for his first of what I hope are many guest posts. Ross is a freelance writer in Austin and has written many books including "Hockey Talk - Quotations About the Great Sport of Hockey, From The Players and Coaches Who Made It Great". You can follow him on Twitter @Wolfgangus.

Today he takes a deeper dive into the Stars statistics. Please note that these stats are very hard to just 'look up' and often there is a lot of manual work involved. This is dedication right here. When I tell you that I'm an engineer by trade and some of Ross's spreadsheet frighten even me, that should tell you about his dedication to numbers.

Now 34 games into the 2011-2012 season, things look a little grim. At 15-16-1-2, our 33 points has us six points out of a playoff spot. Fortunately there's lots of hockey to go.

To that end, here are some stats.

PER GAME AVERAGES

We average 32.4 shots per game (1,101 shots)
Our opponents average 27.8 shots per game (946 shots)

We score every 10.8 shots (102 goals)
Our opponents score every 9.1 shots (104 goals)

We average 3.0 goals per game.
Our opponents average 3.1 goals per game.
No surprise then that when we score 4 or more goals, our record is 9-1. It would have been 10-0 but for the Rockford come-from-behind this past weekend.

Our Forwards score every 9.7 shots (798 shots, 72 goals)
Our Defensemen score every 15.2 shots (303 shots, 20 goals)

SHOTS TAKEN AND ALLOWED

Most shots taken in one game: 48* [December 18 at San Antonio]
Most shots taken in one period: 21* [3rd period, October 25 at Rockford]
Fewest shots taken in a game: 25 [Three different occasions]
Fewest shots taken in a period: 1 [3rd period, December 21 at Houston]

Most shots allowed in one game: 40 [November 12 vs Abbotsford]
Most shots allowed in one period: 18 [3rd period, November 25 at Houston]
Fewest shots allowed in a game: 16* [December 17 vs Rochester]
Fewest shots allowed in a period: 1* [3rd period, December 27 vs San Antonio]

An asterisk (*) indicates a franchise record. By the way, the team record for fewest shots taken in a period is zero—the second period during the seventh game in team history, a 4-0 home loss to Lake Erie.

We have outshot the opponent 23 times. Record: 9-14
We have mustered at least 39 shots in 4 games. Record: 0-4
We have been outshot 9 times. Record: 5-4
The shots were equal in 2 games. Record: 1-1

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play by month:
October: 17/46 (37%)
November: 8/55 (16%)
December: 4/48 (8%)
January: 5/13 (38%)
(Overall: 21%)

Penalty Kill by month:
October: 30/40 (75%)
November: 40/46 (85%)
December: 32/35 (91%)
January: 11/15 (73%)
(Overall: 83%)

Our record is much better when our PK excels than when our PP excels:

When our penalty kill is perfect? Record: 12-7
When it's not? Record: 3-12

When we score at least 1 power play goal? Record: 8-10
When we score at least 2 power play goals? Record: 6-5
When we don't score any PP goals? Record: 7-9

When the PP scores and the PK is perfect? Record: 6-3
When the PP doesn't score and the PK allows a goal? Record: 1-5

RANDOM STATS

We have scored at least one goal in all three periods in 8 games. Record: 7-1
We have allowed a goal in every period in 13 games. Record: 1-12
With two referees calling the game, our record is 8-2.

Dating back to the November home game against Houston (the Teddybear toss), a span of 19 games, we have held the opponent scoreless in the first period in just 3 of those 19 games, including goals in the last ten straight games. In 8 of those 19 games (and 5 of the last 10), we allowed 2 goals in the first period.

FRANCHISE SCORING RECORDS READY TO FALL
Already this season we've seen a few team scoring records fall, and we will likely see a few more:

New Records:
Philip Larsen's 4 assists against Peoria on October 22 broke the previous record for assists in a single game (3, held by Brad Lukowich, Greg Rallo, Dan Spang and Maxime Fortunus).

Larsen's effort also tied the team record for most points in a game (4, held by Greg Rallo). In that same game, Travis Morin scored a goal and 3 assists, adding his name to the record. On December 17, Ryan Garbutt's 2 goals and 2 assists against Rochester made the regular season single-game point record a four-way tie.

Tomas Vincour scored a goal in five straight games, from October 27 through November 6, tying the previous record held by Warren Peters.

Matt Fraser's 10-game point scoring streak (7 goals, 5 assists), from December 3 through December 29, set a franchise record, breaking Aaron Gagnon's 8-game streak (3 goals, 6 assists) set from October 23, 2009 through November 11, 2009.

Travis Morin's first assist against Houston on October 14 gave him 99 career points, passing Greg Rallo (98) atop the all-time list.

Records Ready To Fall
Most goals in one season: 27 (Aaron Gagnon)
Matt Fraser currently has 19.

Most assists in one season: 33 (Perttu Lindgren)
Travis Morin currently has 28.

Most power play goals in one season: 10 (Gagnon, Morin, Rallo)
Matt Fraser currently has 9.

Most game-winning goals all-time: 10 (Rallo)
Francis Wathier and Colton Sceviour each currently have 9.

Most insurance goals all-time: 7 (Rallo)
Francis Wathier currently has 6.

LASTLY …
The Stars have played 96 regular season games at the CPC dating from October 3, 2009 through January 8, 2012. After all those games, the home crowd is STILL waiting for the first Texas Star to register a regular season Hat Trick at the CPC. The only Stars trick we've been treated to came off the stick of Jamie Benn in game 5 of the Division Championship series against the Chicago Wolves in 2010.

Fraser's been close three times. Garbutt and Glennie, once each.

Texas Releases Lowe, Spratt

2012-01-09T15:54:00.004-06:00

Just some short roster notes today as the Texas Stars released Ian Lowe and Jimmy Spratt from their PTOs. Both will return to the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

Spratt's release:

Prior to the game, Texas released goalie Jimmy Spratt from a PTO (professional tryout agreement). Spratt played in two games for Texas, going 1-1-0 with a 2.02 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. Spratt is a third-year pro who started the season with the Idaho, going 5-5-0 with a 2.95 goals against average and a .920 save percentage over 12 games. He split last season between Toledo and Victoria of the ECHL, as well as Rapid City of the CHL. In all, Spratt made 20 appearances, going 9-7-1 with a 3.91 goals against average and a .873 save percentage. The Calgary Flames drafted the 26-year old in the seventh round (#213 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Lowe's release:

The Texas Stars announced on Monday that the team has released forward Ian Lowe from a PTO (professional tryout agreement).

Lowe suited up in six games for the Stars from Dec. 27 – Jan. 8, failing to register a point in his time with Texas. The rookie forward played the first 30 games of his pro career with the Idaho Steelheads, Texas’ ECHL affiliate. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound center was third on the team with 12 assists and 19 points at the time of his recall. The 24-year-old played the last four years at Bemidji State University from 2007-11. In 142 WCHA games, Lowe netted 37 goals and set up 42 for 79 collegiate points.

Rockford Takes Seesaw Contest Over Texas in OT 6-5

2012-01-08T20:40:00.002-06:00

Glennie celebrates his first period goal with teammates. (Credit: Portraits by Deena)
In a back and forth contest in which neither team ever led by more than one goal, Texas fell to Rockford this afternoon 6-5 in overtime. Texas scored three power play goals but allowed a shorthanded tally as well. The penalty kill was flawless until the overtime period, in which they allowed the game-winner. Scott Glennie picked up two goals and an assist in the game, and Brad Lukowich finished off a strong weekend with a goal and assist of his own.

Coach Pyle felt like the team played hard enough to win. "We scored five goals at home; we should win," he said. "With injuries, we don't make excuses. We just come out and battle hard every day."

Texas opened up the scoring with Glennie's fifth of the year slipping past Hutton on a scramble play in front. Rockford tied things up just two minutes later off a point shot that found twine. Just over a minute after than, Ben Smith pushed the Hogs ahead on the game's 8th shot. The Stars rounded out the period with a power play goal from the captain. Lukowich's third of the year and second in as many games made it clean from the point to the back of the net.

Texas opened the second on the power play, but it was Rockford scoring the goal on the penalty. Former Star Brandon Segal beat Brenden Dillon down the left wing side to pot his twelfth of the season. It was a tough break as it looked like Segal would not get the shot off due to Dillon's defense, but ultimately did, beating Beskorowany on the far side of the net.

The Stars roared back on the power play at the midway point of the game. Matt Fraser was first, scoring his team leading 19th, to tie things at three all. Ryan Garbutt went next, falling down as he scored to make things 4-3. Texas would finish the second up by one in the track meet of a game.

Rockford got the better of Texas in the third. Dylan Olsen's point shot also made it through to tie things at four three minutes in. Scott Glennie continued his excellent night, however, beating Carter Hutton coming down the right wing side for a 5-4 lead.

With the clock running down, Rockford got the equalizer. In a scarmble in front of the net, it seemed like Tyler Beskorowany had the puck covered. It popped free to pugilist Rob Flick, who scored his first of the season. "We've got to find a way to find that puck. In that situation, we expect that puck to be had."

With overtime imminent, Texas had a fateful penalty call. With just 2.2 seconds remaining, Ryan Garbutt took a slashing call. It was the easiest possible call to make for the referees, as the Rockford blue liner's stick snapped in two on the play.

"I was really disappointed with Garbutt for that penalty he took. He's been taking a lot of stupid penalties. Two seconds left in the game, that's not being a team guy. That hurts all of us."

The Stars would take it to overtime, with Francis Wathier practically sitting on the puck in the faceoff circle to kill the clock. In OT, the always dangerous 4-on-3 PP did work. Travis Morin was taken out of the play on what looked like a trip and Rockford had a 4-on-2 advantage, leading to Brandon Pirri's 15th of the season and the game winner.

The Stars are in action again on Wednesday against the Abbotsford Heat before hitting the road for four games, including a weekend set against the Griffins and Admirals.

Tonight's lines:
Gazdic-Lowe-Godard
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Garbutt-Morin-Fraser
Hedden-Roman-Schultz

Labrie-Dillon
Fortunus-Lukowich
Coyle-Berube

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Sawada, Tousignant, Spang (injury)
Hauswirth (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour, Benn, Bachman (callup)

Dan Spang was a surprise scratch this afternoon. The team indicates he is out with a minor upper body injury. "I've gotta think he's OK [for Wednesday]," said Coach Pyle. "Better safe than sorry."

No word on the condition of Scott Glennie, who took a hard hit in the third and skated off immediately. He came out for a few shifts afterwards but ultimately sat out most of the back half of the third. He was seen testing out his left knee on the ice after the hit.

Tonight's attendance was 5,179.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Rockford - January 8 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Rockford IceHogs

2012-01-08T00:01:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
15-16-0-2, 32 pts
#14 Western Conference

Rockford IceHogs
12-19-1-3, 28 pts
#15 Western Conference

January 8th at 5:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Texas welcomes the Rockford IceHogs back to the Cedar Park Center for a second game in a row against the club this afternoon. Today's matinee game is only the second such game of the season for the Stars, who won their only other matinee 7-0 over the Barons in the season opener. Texas and Rockford are both finishing up three-in-threes today, so today's game might be a little sluggish.

Texas saw Rockford last night and they have some similarities between the two clubs. It was clear that Rockford has talent on the ice, but it's been a season of bad breaks and tough bounces. In the third of last night's game, the Hogs had at least three chances at a wide open net with Raycroft sprawled out and missed or didn't get a shot off. They are dangerous, but something just isn't clicking for them this season.

The Stars should look to their power play to contribute again. Third day legs can lead to lazy penalties, which can generate opportunities. If the Stars cash in, they can set themselves up for a solid win before Abbotsford comes to town on Wednesday. The same is true for Rockford though, so Texas needs to play smart.

Expect Tyler Beskorowany in net tonight as Jimmy Spratt will be returning to Idaho today.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Benn (callup)
Sawada, Tousignant (unspecified injury)

Website: icehogs.com
Blog (unofficial): Rockford IceHogs Fan Blog
Twitter: @goicehogs

Special Teams Help Stars Past Rockford 4-2

2012-01-07T22:45:00.001-06:00

Two power play goals and a clean sheet on the penalty kill helped Texas to a 4-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs tonight in Cedar Park. "Tonight we finally got some power play goals," said Coach Pyle. "I thought we played really well, weathered the storm in the third. They're a tough team to shut down." The Stars captain, Brad Lukowich, chipped in a goal and two assists, earning him the #1 Star of the night.

"I've really been focusing on putting my game in place and leading by example," said Lukowich. "It's about leading and showing that hard work and effort."

Colton Sceviour followed that example with a three point night of his own. Andrew Raycroft, in his second AHL start of the season, collected the win with a 25 save performance.

The Stars gave up an early marker to the Hogs just three minutes in. A wonky bounce put the puck to the top right corner of the net, beating Raycroft, who was squared to where the puck should have gone. The bad luck goal was Jeremy Morin's 6th of the season.

Texas's power play came to life against the last place Rockford PK this evening. Francis Wathier went first, tipping a Brad Lukowich point shot past Alec Richards for the tying goal. The first Stars PP unit had been humming the entire shift and was amply rewarded with the goal. Sceviour picked up the second assist. Ryan Garbutt added another PPG on a slow dribbler to set the score at 2-1 to end the first. The Stars would not relinquish that lead in the game.

On the power play's great night, Lukowich pointed to familiarity, "It's one of those things where you're unfamiliar with different guys with guys going up and down. Today we went back to the guys that were together for the last couple of years. They put me back with Wathier, Sceviour, Max [Fortunus], and Scott Glennie in Rallo's spot."

Lukowich opened the second with his second goal of the season, another point shot with Wathier setting the screen. Rockford collected their second of the night in the period as well with Youds beating Raycroft with five minutes left in the period. That set up for a tight third period. After totalling 50 shots in the first two periods, Rockford and Texas combined for just 8 in the third. It was lockdown hockey for the Stars, who only allowed two shots.

Texas finishes their three in three with their final home game against the IceHogs this season tomorrow at 5 PM. Expect Tyler Beskorowany in net for the Stars after Raycroft collected two starts this weekend already.

Tonight's lines:
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Garbutt-Morin-Fraser
Hedden-Roman-Schultz
Gazdic-Lowe-Godard

Fortunus-Lukowich
Spang-Dillon
Coyle-Labrie

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Sawada, Tousignant (injury)
Hauswirth, Berube, Spratt (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour, Benn, Bachman (callup)

This was the second straight game for rookies Coyle and Labrie to be paired together. Each was minus-1, being on the ice for Rockford's second goal. "It's a huge opportunity for them and they've stepped up," said Lukowich. "We're not nervous having those guys on the ice."

"It's good that the young kids get to play a little more," said Pyle. "It's win-win."

Tonight's attendance was 5,626.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Rockford - January 7 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Rockford IceHogs

2012-01-07T13:00:00.001-06:00

Texas Stars
14-16-0-2, 30 pts
#14 Western Conference

Rockford IceHogs
12-18-1-3, 28 pts
#15 Western Conference

January 7th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

The Rockford IceHogs come to town this weekend for a two-game set starting tonight. It will be Rockford's only visit to Cedar Park Center, as the IceHogs have moved to the Midwest division and the teams only meet four times this season. That is unfortunate for Texas, as they hold a 10-5-0-0 record all-time against the Hogs in the regular season. Add in the 4-0 playoff blanking of Rockford in 2010 and it's clear that Texas plays well against the Hogs.

The IceHogs are not doing as well this year as in previous ones. They find themselves at the bottom of the standings, looking up at the Texas Stars, who have two points on them but two games in hand as well. It's just been a forgettable season so far. However, they did win last night over the Houston Aeros, a tough task for any club. This isn't a set of games to look past, but it would be disappointing if Texas did not take at least 4 points on the weekend's three games.

This would be a good chance for Texas to get their power play back on line as the IceHogs are 30th in the league on the PK at 76.1%. Their power play is slightly more threatening at #20 (17%).

Top scorers in Rockford include Brandon Pirri (14-19-33) and former Star Brandon Segal (11-9-20). In the pipes, Rockford is rolling three-deep, like Texas. Alexander Salak is 3-6-0 with a 3.06 goals against average and a .893 save percentage. Carton Hutton is 3-4-1 with a 3.39 goals against average and a .893 save percentage. Alec Richards is 6-9-2 with a 3.65 goals against average and a .893 save percentage.

As to Texas's "three-deep" arrangement, expect either Jimmy Spratt or Tyler Beskorowany to start tonight, in my opinion. Whoever doesn't start tonight will probably start tomorrow afternoon.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Benn, Bachman (callup)
Sawada, Tousignant (unspecified injury)

Website: icehogs.com
Blog (unofficial): Rockford IceHogs Fan Blog
Twitter: @goicehogs

San Antonio Takes SO Win 4-3

2012-01-06T21:45:00.005-06:00

Texas never led in tonight's game against the San Antonio Rampage but managed to salvage a point out of the contest by taking things to overtime. Ultimately, Texas fell in the shootout with Andrew Raycroft dropping his first AHL start since 2006. Texas was 0/5 on the power play, which has dried up recently, and had a porous 3/6 PK showing.

The Stars allowed an early power play goal on a fluky play from the Rampage. The puck took a weird bounce off the faceoff and ended up on the stick of Tim Kennedy, who beat Raycroft before the tender even knew where the puck was. James Wright added yet another PP tally for the Rampage just before the 15 minute mark of the period. Texas closed the period down 2-0 and being outshot 16-7.

Texas turned the tables in the second period, outshooting San Antonio 13-6 and outscoring them 3-1. Colton Sceviour potted the first of the night for Texas, his sixth of the season, assisted by Garbutt and Labrie. The even strength tally came just 2:36 into the period and set an early tone.

Ryan Garbutt took an ill-advised five minute major penalty just past the halfway point of the period. Texas showed their best PK work on the major. Matt Fraser even added his 17th goal of the season shorthanded, breaking out to set the score at two each. Unfortunately for all their good work, San Antonio scored on the very last second of the penalty to make it 3-2. It was Kennedy's second goal of the night.

The game tying goal came from an unlikely source. Eric Godard scored his first goal of the season to knot it at three. Ondrej Roman assisted.

After the back and forth game, of course these two teams would need extra time to decide things. After OT, San Antonio scored three straight goals to Texas's zero for the shootout 4-3 victory.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Morin-Fraser
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Hedden-Roman-Schultz
Gazdic-Godard-Lowe

Fortunus-Lukowich
Spang-Dillon
Coyle-Labrie

Raycroft

Injuries, scratches, and notes:Hauswirth
Sawada, Tousignant (injury)
Hauswirth, Berube, Beskorowany (scratch)
Larsen, Vincour, Benn, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 7,867.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - January 6 2012

Gameday Preview: Stars at San Antonio Rampage

2012-01-06T10:45:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
14-16-0-1, 29 pts
#14 Western Conference

San Antonio Rampage
16-16-2-0, 34 pts
#11 Western Conference

January 6th at 7:00 PM

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

After what seems like a very long layoff, especially for this blog's coverage, the Stars are back in action tonight down the road in the Alamo City. Since we last previewed a game, the Stars have dropped two of three. After a strong win at home against San Antonio in OT, Texas fell to the excellent Abbotsford Heat in a back-to-back games before the New Year.

San Antonio is a team experiencing a positive surge of their own. Among the bottom ranked teams in the league for the first few months of the season, the Rampage are now up to #11 in the West thanks to a 6-2-2-0 record over the last ten games. San Antonio is 1-2-2-0 against Texas so far this season, however.

The Rampage are currently sporting a goaltending tandem of Dov Grumet-Morris and Brian Foster, following Jacob Markstrom's callup to Florida earlier this week. Bracken Kearns leads the Rampage on offense with 10-12-22 in 29 games. Recently named All-Star Colby Robak chips in 5-14-19 in 34 games with a gaudy plus-12 rating, the best on the team. Mark Cullen rounds out the top 3 in scoring with 4-15-19 in 23 games with a plus-9 rating. Former Star Greg Rallo has picked up his offense with an 8-4-12 in 30 games and an even rating.

In Texas, there are two new players on the ice for the Stars. Ian Lowe has already gotten into a few games for Texas but we haven't discussed him in this space yet. He is one of the top scorers for the Idaho Steelheads. Wearing #39, he has played fourth line minutes in three games, recording no points and a minus-1. Mike Berube is the other new addition, coming from Allen. The defenseman may or may not get into a game this weekend.

The other new player is Andrew Raycroft. Raycroft is on the roster for Texas, but at the same time, Texas has not sent down Jimmy Spratt to Idaho. The thing that Texas wants to guarantee now is that Beskorowany gets starts. He is a prospect and Raycroft is not. Raycroft's value to the organization is limited to trades or injury callups. There is likely no future for him in the organization after this year. What does Texas do with Raycroft in terms of starts? If they want him to be any kind of valuable for either of his potential uses, they would have to at least give him backup type starts. Beskorowany can't start all three games this weekend, so it will be very interesting to see who gets the third start.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Benn, Bachman (callup)
Sawada, Tousignant (unspecified injury)

Website: sarampage.com
Blog (unofficial): Rampage with Tony U.
Blog (unofficial): Runnin' With The Herd
Twitter: @SARampage
Twitter: @SARampage_Voice (play-by-play for SA)

Talking Prospects on DBD's Stargazing Podcast

2012-01-05T13:48:00.004-06:00

Jordie Benn in a file photo from last season. (Credit: Steven Christy)
Last night I made a guest appearance on the Defending Big D Stargazing podcast to talk about all of the prospects down here in Cedar Park. Topics include my thoughts on Jordie Benn's first game in the NHL, discussion of the Stars lack of defensive depth in the pro ranks, what prospects we do have and a brief (previously unplanned) dive into the forward ranks as well.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the questions that were posed to me as well. Do you disagree with my assessment of any of the players here in Austin?

It is great to talk to the folks in Dallas who have a vested interest in the players we see every game in Cedar Park. You can listen here on DallasSportsNetwork.tv.

Dallas Returns Dillon, Texas Signs Berube

2012-01-04T16:39:00.002-06:00

Texas's defense situation got a heck of a lot better today with two defensemen coming into the fold. First, Dallas returned rookie blue liner Brenden Dillon after a short callup in which he was a healthy scratch in Dallas's loss to Detroit. Second, anticipating a need for more help on the backend, Texas announced the signing of Mike Berube to a professional tryout contract. Berube played with Texas in the preseason and was with the Allen Americans until this afternoon.

Berube is 2-7-9 in 29 games with Allen this season. He has previously played at the AHL level with Hartford and in the ECHL with Charlotte. He may or may not get into a game with Texas as there are now seven on the roster. Depending on what he shows in practice, he could always get a shot similar to what Jordie Benn got in Dallas last night. We haven't seen Coach Pyle dress seven defensemen yet this season, but it was a common occurrence for Coach Gulutzan. It's always possible, but I think unlikely.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced on Wednesday that the club has assigned defenseman to the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, the Texas Stars announced on Wednesday that the club has signed defenseman Mike Berube to a PTO (professional tryout agreement).

Dillon, 21, has played in 31 games for Texas, scoring two goals and 11 assists for 13 points and 34 penalty minutes. He was signed to a three-year contract as a free agent on March 3, 2011. The 6-2, 198-pound defenseman played in 72 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL last season, scoring eight goals and 51 assists for 59 points.

Berube comes to Texas from the Allen Americans, Texas’ Central Hockey League affiliate. The defenseman has two goals and nine points in 29 games with Allen this season. In 2009-10, Berube played for the Hartford Wolf Pack, going scoreless in four AHL games. The Edmonton, AB, native is in his third pro season, suiting up in 164 pro games between Allen, Hartford and Charlotte (ECHL). The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder played his junior hockey in the WHL for Vancouver, Red Deer and Prince George.

Fraser Named to 2012 AHL All-Star Team

2012-01-04T14:08:00.005-06:00

Fraser celebrates his first pro goal against Oklahoma City on October 9th. (Credit: Texas Stars)
Rookie Texas Stars forward Matt Fraser was among the players named today to play in the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Fraser joins Ivan Vishnevskiy, Brent Krahn, Travis Morin and Francis Wathier among Texas Stars named to All-Star teams in the past.

Fraser is the leading goal scorer on the Stars squad with 16 and ranks second in points at 25. He ranks second overall in the league in goals by a rookie and he is tied for fifth overall in points by a rookie. Fraser’s eight power-play goals are tied for first among rookies and his 115 shots is best among first-year players.

The All-Star game will be played at 7 PM EST on Monday, January 30. Last year's contest was broadcast locally in the Austin area. There is no word yet on whether the game will be broadcast again for Central Texas hockey fans.

Texas's Blue Line Woes Multiply as Dillon Called to Dallas

2012-01-02T21:17:00.004-06:00

Dillon, left, will join other Texas callups including Richard Bachman in Dallas. (Credit: Soobum Im)
With Dallas's defensive reserves dwindling, Texas defenseman Brenden Dillon was called up today to supplement the blue line corps in Big D.

Fourth year pro Jordie Benn, called up yesterday, was picked over the rookie Dillon to join the team when Larsen went down after the game with Boston. Sheldon Souray's injury forced Joe Nieuwendyk's hand and the former Seattle Thunderbird could play his first game in the NHL this week. Coach Gulutzan has said that Jordie Benn will play tomorrow, Tuesday. His quality of play will probably determine if he or Dillon plays in the following game.

This puts a strain on the blue line in Texas. The club now has only five defensemen on the roster at the moment: Lukowich, Spang, Fortunus, Coyle and Labrie. Coyle and Labrie are both rookies at a position where veteran leadership is necessary. Lukowich has been in and out of the lineup recently with a nagging injury so that could lower things to four.

Scott White needs to work the phones to find at least one defenseman, if not two. Matt Case, who was with Texas in camp and is having a great season in Idaho, would be an obvious choice. However, he is injured. Another top d-man in Idaho is 29 year old Kory Scoran, 1-10-11 in 16 games. Idaho is already low on D though, so perhaps another call is unlikely.

In Allen, there's a bit of an awkward situation possible. Depending on how the relationship ended, Texas could call on Tyler or Trevor Ludwig. Tyler leads all defenseman in scoring at 1-11-12 in 29 games. He has a gaudy plus-12 and plays the power play for the Americans. Trevor Ludwig played for Texas for two years and has 2-1-3 in 13 games for Allen. In a pinch, perhaps a known quantity on the blue line isn't the worst situation. Also in Allen is Mike Berube, who joined Texas in camp. Berube is 2-7-9 in 29 games with a plus-11 rating.

The transaction wire is the spot to watch over the next 48 hours or so.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced on Monday that the club has placed defenseman Sheldon Souray on injured reserve with a sprained ankle, retroactive to Dec. 23. The club also recalled defenseman Brenden Dillion from the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Souray, 35, suffered the injury on Dec. 23 vs. the Nashville Predators. The 6-4, 237-pound defenseman from Elk Point, AB, has appeared in 34 games this season for Dallas, collecting 16 points (4 goals and 12 assists) with 109 PIM. Earlier this season, Souray netted his 100th career NHL goal against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 4, 2011.

Dillon, 21, has played in 31 games for Texas, scoring 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points and 34 penalty minutes. He was signed to a three-year contract as a free agent on March 3, 2011. The 6-2, 198-pound defenseman played in 72 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL last season, scoring eight goals and 51 assists for 59 points.

Jordie Benn Recalled to Dallas

2012-01-01T17:24:00.004-06:00

Jordie Benn mans the point. (Credit: Steven Christy)
It's been a long road to the NHL for Jordie Benn, but 2012 is coming up big for the defenseman. Today it was announced that the Stars are recalling Jordie to Dallas coming after the injury to Philip Larsen in last night's win over Boston.

Jordie started his pro career with the now defunct Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL and then spent a season with the Allen Americans, who went to the Miron Cup Finals in 2010. That earned Jordie a contract with Texas in 2010-11 and he was an everyday blue liner by the end of the year. This earned him a contract in Dallas and now he has gotten his first recall.

This leaves Texas with just 6 defensemen: Lukowich, Fortunus, Dillon, Spang, Labrie and Coyle. There may be some PTO action coming for Texas now, which doesn't have anymore defensemen under contract in the lower leagues.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced on Sunday that the NHL club has recalled defenseman Jordie Benn from the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Benn, 24, co-leads all Texas defensemen in scoring, with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 31 games. Four of his seven goals have come on the power play. Jordie Benn is the older brother of current Stars forward Jamie Benn.

The 6-0, 205-pound defenseman from Victoria, BC, is looking to make his NHL debut. Jordie Benn signed a one-year free agent contract with Dallas on July 1, 2011. He played in 60 games for the Texas Stars last season, scoring two goals and 10 assists for 12 points with 39 penalty minutes.

A Fine Week for a Vacation...

2011-12-29T13:00:00.003-06:00

I seem to have picked just the best week in the world to take a week off from work and the blog... My apologies for not posting something about my absence earlier.

Well, the biggest news of the week is that Kari Lehtonen is healthy and Richard Bachman has won the backup job behind the big Finn. This means that Andrew Raycroft is coming to Texas. He cleared waivers this morning and will join the team in Abbotsford. I don't think he steals the starting job from Beskorowany. Why would you place him above Besko on the depth chart at this point when it is clear that he is not in the future plans if GM Joe in Dallas? That said, Texas goalie Beskorowany could use a veteran presence to help him mature as a tender and Raycroft can provide that.

In other news, Texas posted their first come from behind win on Tuesday night thanks to a little OT. The sellout crowd saw one of Texas's best efforts of the the season in this regard. It helps, of course, when the deficit after 40 minutes is only 1 goal.

Texas plays two in Abbotsford to round out the year. I will be back in time for the New Year and home contests against the IceHogs next weekend. Big news for Abby is that Leland Irving is still with Calgary. He was a big reason the Heat took both games in the CPC earlier this season.

Garbutt's Pair Pushes Texas Past Houston 3-2

2011-12-21T21:28:00.000-06:00

In just 68 seconds in the second period, Ryan Garbutt pushed the Texas Stars past the Houston Aeros with two goals. Hubert Labrie scored his second of the year in the period as well. This is a big two points for the Stars, who start their holiday break on a high note with the W. Tyler Beskorowany finished with 27 saves on 29 shots.

It was Houston striking first in this one with Chad Rau scoring immediately off the faceoff win from Jeff Penner 7:58 into the first. Texas outshot Houston 11-9 in the period. The end of the first had a bit of a scare for Texas as Jordie Benn had to be helped off the ice following a hit from behind by Kyle Medvec. Benn returned and started the second period.

Texas had a monster second period with three goals in the frame to lead after 40. Hubert Labrie collected his second of the year, blasting one past Matt Hackett at the 8:31 mark of the period. Matt Fraser assisted on the play and extended his point streak to eight games with the helper.

A flurry of scoring ended the period. With Texas on the power play, Cody Almond got a breakaway goal as the puck bounced off the Spang's skate at the blue line. The 2-1 lead was shortlived for the Aeros. Ryan Garbutt scored on a beautiful pass from Mike Hedden just under one minute later to tie things at two. Garbutt wasn't done though, scoring another off a rebound from a Colton Sceviour shot 68 seconds later. The forward's fifth and sixth goals on the season put Texas ahead of Houston 3-2 after the second period.

Houston went bombs away in the third period, outshooting Texas 7-1 through the first 15 minutes of the period. The Aeros kept pushing through the third as Hackett left the net for the extra attacker with 75 seconds left. Ultimately, Texas was outshot 9-1 in the period, but emerged victorious. Texas is now off until next Tuesday.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Morin-Wathier
Glennie-Sceviour-Fraser
Gazdic-Godard-Hauswirth
Hedden-Roman-Schultz

Benn-Dillon
Fortunus-Labrie
Coyle-Spang

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Sawada, Tousignant (scratched)
Sawada, Lukowich (unspecified injury)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 5,741.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Houston - December 21 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at Houston Aeros

2011-12-21T10:04:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
12-14-0-1, 25 pts
#14 Western Conference

Houston Aeros
16-5-2-7, 41 pts
#4 Western Conference

December 21st at 7:05 PM

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Tonight the Stars travel to Houston to face the Aeros yet again for the 7th meeting this season. Texas will face defending Western Conference champion Houston 12 times on the year, a present from the AHL schedulers to Stars fans. I guess fans have been naughty.

Texas is 2-4-0-0 against the Aeros this season as they continue their dominance in the West Division. Only OKC has more points than the Aeros this season (44), yet the Aeros are ranked #4 in the conference due to divisional seeding rules. This is a very good team.

Additionally, it is a team that is finding ways to win despite massive numbers of callups to the NHL. Matt Hackett has been superb behind the pipes at 10-4-3. The only weakness in Houston's game is their record past sixty minutes. Houston is 0-for-7 in the shootout. If Texas can get that far, they have a shot. Also, each team has a very good record when leading after two. Shut it down and head home after 40 between these two teams.

Captain Jon DiSalvatore leads the way with 10-14-24. Jeff Taffe isn't far behind at 5-16-21. The Aeros come into tonight's game on a two game losing streak, dropping an SOL to OKC on Saturday and a regulation loss to Rochester on Sunday. Until the most recent game for these two teams, the away club had won each time. Texas hopes to reinvigorate that trend with tonight's game.

Keys to game will be winning each shift. Texas has to take it one shift at a time against such a talented team. In addition, if early or "bad" goals do happen, they need to rally together as a group, forget about it and move on. This team has had a tendency, self-admitted, to get down on themselves when they fall behind by one or two early and take themselves out of the game mentally through that. Maturing as a team will be a key element to beating a playoff-hardened Houston roster.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)
Sawada (injury)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)

Stars Finish Weekend with 4-2 Loss in San Antonio

2011-12-18T18:54:00.004-06:00

Sceviour and Wathier crash the net in this afternoon's game. (Credit: Darren Abate)
After last night's offensive outburst, Texas couldn't get past two goals again tonight despite a total of 48 shots on net. Coach Pyle has talked about Texas's lack of finish before and tonight's game showed it. As he has said, you can't take almost 50 shots and not score more than two. Tyler Beskorowany took the loss with 29 saves on 33 shots.

San Antonio opened the scoring early with Bill Thomas scoring his 8th of the year just 3:11 into the game. The shot was redirected off a pass from Mark Cullen. SA put themselves up 2-0 with a goal from Bracken Kearn with six minutes left in the first. Thomas got into the action again with a centering pass from behind the net to make the play happen.

The Stars got into the scoring in the second with Ondrej Roman's first goal of the year. The tally came as Roman intercepted a San Antonio pass and snapped it to the net quickly. The Rampage scored just under one minute later to regain their two goal lead. Thomas tipped a point shot from Cullen again for his third point of the night.

Texas poured it on in the third, outshooting SA 20-7. They only managed one goal, while allowing a Rampage marker. The only goal of the period for Texas came with nine minutes left as Matt Fraser scored his team leading 14th of the year and extended his point streak to seven games. With time winding down, Mark Cullen snapped one past Beskorowany on an open look as Texas was preoccupied with the offensive side of things.

Texas and San Antonio finished without a power play goal for either team. Texas had 4 opps to San Antonio's 2. Texas plays again on Wednesday in Houston in their last action before the Christmas break.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Morin-Fraser
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Gazdic-Tousignant-Hauswirth
Hedden-Roman-Schultz

Fortunus-Lukowich
Benn-Dillon
Labrie-Spang

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Godard, Coyle (scratched)
Sawada (unspecified injury)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

The top line finished a combined minus-8 tonight. The defensive play of the unit has been a going concern on the season. Fraser and Sawada (injured) are each minus-11 on the season and Travis Morin is minus-10. Ryan Garbutt, who subbed in tonight in Sawada's place, is plus-4 overall even after tonight's minus-2. Coach Pyle clearly sees that the line has scoring potential, but that they are also a defensive liability. How do you keep that line's offense clicking while also bringing up their sagging defensive?

Tonight's attendance was 5,339.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - December 18 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at San Antonio Rampage

2011-12-18T00:01:00.002-06:00

Texas Stars
12-13-0-1, 25 pts
#13 Western Conference

San Antonio Rampage
13-14-0-0, 26 pts
#12 Western Conference

December 18th at 3:30 PM

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

The Stars move from a team they've only played once to one of their most familiar opponents in the San Antonio Rampage. The Rampage are on a bit of a tear with three straight wins and a 6-4 record in their last ten, setting them just one game under .500 on the season. Texas is in a similar spot. Today's winner will even up their record with the Christmas break on the horizon.

This is the third game in as many nights for Texas while the Rampage got Saturday off. "I think the guys are ready. In your division, it's a short trip so there should be no excuses. You can't say 'We're tired', you just play smart, keep a guy high and bury your opportunities"

San Antonio's three game streak included a win over the Charlotte Checkers last week, which Litter Box Cats argues was their best win of the year:

"The San Antonio Rampage played their best game tonight, despite being out-shot 45-23. Jacob Markstrom played his best game in San Antonio, allowing just one goal, and saved 44 shots. As impressive as Markstrom was, the offense got the game started with a three goal first period. Tyson Strachan scored his first goal of the season to open up the game, with Greg Rallo, Scott Timmins, and Bracken Kearns scoring the other goals. The Rampage won back-to-back home games for the first time this season."

If you'll remember, offense was a bit of a struggle for the Rampage early in the season, as they were leaky in net and didn't have the goals to compensate. Now that both are clicking, they are trending upwards in the standings. Bracken Kearns leads them in scoring with 9-9-18, followed closely by Colby Robak at 5-10-15 and an impressive plus-15 rating.

In net, it's been a carousel for the Rampage. Dov Grumet-Morris and Jakob Markstrom currently man the pipes, though four other masked men have started for the Rampage this season. Grumet-Morris, a recent AHL contract signing, is 4-1-0 on the season with a 1.59 GAA and .936 SV%. Markstrom's record is a little more battle-worn from the early season, 4-5-0 with a 2.61 GAA and .911 SV%.

One player Texas will not be seeing is Greg Rallo. The former Star is expected to play in his first NHL game today against Carolina. He is the second Panther to get his first NHL game at the age of 30 this season, the other being Bracken Kearns.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)
Sawada (unspecified injury)

Website: sarampage.com
Blog (unofficial): Rampage with Tony U.
Blog (unofficial): Runnin' With The Herd
Twitter: @SARampage
Twitter: @SARampage_Voice (play-by-play for SA)

Stars Roar Back Against Amerks, 6-2

2011-12-17T22:40:00.000-06:00

Texas got their W tonight over the Rochester Americans but not without a little bit of a scare. After allowing two goals on the first three shots of the evening, Texas roared back and scored six unanswered tallies including two shorthanded goals. Jimmy Spratt collected his first AHL win in his first AHL start this evening, stopping 14 of 16 shots against. "We got some bounces, buried our chances and got our lead," said Ryan Garbutt, who had 2 goals and 2 assists on the night. "We're a pretty good team when we're playing with a lead."

Texas gave up two early in the contest to set them behind quickly. Three minutes in, Texas was stuck with a defensive faceoff after icing the puck on a long shift. Rochester won it and Brennan sniped one from the point past Spratt for a 1-0 lead. "That first shot was a laser," said Coach Pyle. "Through a screen off a one-timer."

Thirty seconds later, Texas left a man uncovered in the crease to go down 2-0 just 3:41 into the contest. "We were right where we usually are," joked Coach Pyle. Good thing for Texas that Rochester hasn't scored more than 2 goals in nine road games this season.

Late in the first with Max Fortunus in the box, some clever forechecking work by Travis Morin and Ryan Garbutt got the Americans flustered and allowed Brenden Dillon to sneak down from the point and snap home an easy rebound goal for his second of the season. The shorthanded tally was Texas's third on the season. The Stars closed the period at a 2-1 deficit.

The second period was where Texas came alive. Brad Lukowich opened the onslaught, jumping into the play down the left wing side and snapping home his first goal of the season. Garbutt and Fraser assisted. Garbutt got one of his own a few minutes later with a great shot over MacIntyre's left shoulder from the circles. "That was my buddy in net, so it felt good to score a couple on him."

Francis Wathier earned Texas the lead with the ultimate game winner, another shorthanded tally with 4 minutes left in the second period. Wathier's 6th of the year was assisted by Dillon. Mike Hedden got into the action as well with a breakaway goal on MacIntyre that set the score at 5-2. Ryan Garbutt added his second of the night and fourth point overall in the third period, splitting two defenders and beating the goalie five-hole.

Texas shutdown the Rochester attack in the second and third. "It was team effort and team dedication in our own end and it was great to see," said Garbutt. Of the success of the penalty kill, he added: "Everyone is sticking to what they do. It's nice to get goals on the penalty kill like that. To get shorties like that is really uplifting."

Coach Pyle commented positively on Garbutt's night. Pyle coached Garbutt in Gwinnett and that connection was actually part of what brought Pyle to Texas. "You knew at some point he'd have a game and break through," said Pyle. "I'm really glad for him."

Neither team scored a power play goal in the contest. Texas held Rochester to just 16 shots. Texas finishes their three in three tomorrow with a game at San Antonio.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Morin-Fraser
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Gazdic-Tousignant-Hauswirth
Hedden-Roman-Schultz

Benn-Dillon
Labrie-Spang
Fortunus-Lukowich

Spratt

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Godard, Coyle (scratched)
Sawada (unspecified injury)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Luke Gazdic got a misconduct in the third for Rule 75.4, likely subsection (iii), which assessed a misconduct for any player who persists in actions "designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty". Gazdic was attempting to get even with an Amerk forward to elbowed Hubert Labrie in the head on a race for a puck at the end wall. Labrie finished the game.

Tonight's attendance was 5,754.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Rochester - December 17 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Rochester Americans

2011-12-17T11:30:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
11-13-0-1, 23 pts
#13 Western Conference

Rochester Americans
11-11-3-1, 26 pts
#10 Western Conference

December 17th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Tonight, Texas plays the Rochester Americans for the first time in team history. Despite both being in the West Conference these past three years, Texas and Rochester never crossed paths. With realignment to move Charlotte west and Manitoba/St John's east, schedules were shifted to make each team play every other in their conference.

The Americans (often abbreviated Amerks) are a storied franchise. They are second only to the Hershey Bears in terms of tenure in the league, entering in 1956, and have six Calder Cups, most recently in 1996. Traditionally, the Americans have been affiliated with their NHL neighbors to the north, the Buffalo Sabres. In 2008-09, the Florida Panthers became the sole affiliate of the Americans, which led to much consternation by the Amerks fans. They felt that the Panthers did not provide the AHL team with the quality roster necessary to be competitive in the league. After three seasons of that affiliation, Rochester reaffiliated with Buffalo and Florida moved on to San Antonio.

This year's iteration of the Amerks has been plagued by injuries in Buffalo, causing callups of some of their top players including Zack Kassian, Paul Szczechura, Colin Stuart, Corey Tropp. Beat writer Kevin Oklobzija opines on Twitter: "Just not enough AHL-quality forwards in the #Amerks lineup now."

Derek Whitmore, a long-time Buffalo system farmhand, leads the team in scoring with 12-6-18. The next active player is Mark Voakes at 2-12-14. Other notables include Rob Bordson, who went to training camp with Texas and was later signed with the Trenton Titans. He has no points in four games. Rookie Joe Finley is your PIMs leader with 69.

In net, the Amerks have a familiar face for Texas in Drew MacIntyre. MacIntyre, previously of the Bulldogs and Wolves, is 4-8-1 with 2.60 GAA and .918 SV%. David Leggio is the 1A of the club with 7-7-0 record, 2.91 GAA and .902 SV%. Leggio is on a two-way to Buffalo and has been bouncing around the pros since 2007 with previous stops in Binghamton, Albany, Portland, Florida (ECHL) and TPS Turku (Finland).

The Amerks possess the worst road record in the AHL at 2-7-4 and have been outscored 45-30. They were beaten in San Antonio last night in OT, a stinging loss to some former Amerks.

The Democrat and Chronicle sums it up well:

"This has been a tough two years for the Amerk franchise. Last year, it seemed an Amerk forward or defenseman was going to South Florida because a member of the Panthers had gotten hurt. Now, injuries are seemingly an every-night happening for the Sabres.

As a result, the Amerks send a team that’s under-manned in terms of AHL talent to Texas for three games. One win would be an accomplishment. Even just stretching a game or two to overtime and garnering the “loser” point might be an acceptable outcome.

This team has averaged fewer than two goals on the road in the past nine games. Expecting anything to change would require the rosiest of rose-colored of glasses ever made."

On Texas's side, well, it's about the W. Texas needs to get back in that win column after the promise of the previous few games. Jimmy Spratt could be your starter tonight as well. I'll try to get more information on that as the day wears on.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: amerks.com
Americans Social Media: Social Media
Blog (beat): Democrat and Chronicle
Blog (amateur): Let's Go Amerks
Twitter: @AmerksHockey
Twitter (beat): @kevinoDandC
Twitter (amateur): @LetsGoAmerks

Aeros' Middle Frame Overwhelms Texas for 4-1 Final

2011-12-16T22:00:00.000-06:00

After a strong game on Tuesday against the league-leading OKC Barons, Texas had a rough game against the Houston Aeros tonight. Really, the game can be honed down to the first 5 minutes of the second period. Texas actually outshot Houston in the second 17-7 but was outscored 2-1 thanks to those first five minutes. The Stars now return home to play the Rochester Americans in Cedar Park.

The recently reliable Texas PK let them down early as Houston opened the scoring on the power play with Chay Genoway getting his second of the year. His goal, assisted by Ortmeyer and Foucault, was the only scoring of the first period for either team. Shots were in Houston's favor 14-10.

The opening minutes of the second period were where things fell apart for the Stars. Just 89 seconds in, Matt Kassian notched his second of the year and second in as many games. The tally was assisted by Taffe and Bagnall, who have both spent some time in Minnesota this season. Three minutes later, Fontaine generated an impressive tally, passing through three Stars to find Joel Broda who banged it home to make it 3-0.

Texas got their first power play of the night just under halfway through the second. Matt Fraser got the PP unit off the schnide with his 13th of the year, Texas's first PPG since December 3rd in Charlotte. The period would end with the 3-1 score in tact for the Aeros. Texas outshot the Aeros 17-7 in the period but couldn't beat Matt Hackett more than once.

Texas is winless on the season when trailing after forty minutes. Tonight's game would be no exception. Houston added a fourth goal from Chad Rau on a patient play by the Aeros forward.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Sceviour-Wathier
Sawada-Morin-Fraser
Gazdic-Tousignant-Schultz
Hedden-Roman-Godard

Benn-Dillon
Coyle-Spang
Fortunus-Labrie

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Lukowich, Glennie, Hauswirth (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 10,240.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Houston - December 16 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at Houston Aeros

2011-12-16T10:44:00.003-06:00

Texas Stars
11-12-0-1, 23 pts
#13 Western Conference

Houston Aeros
15-4-2-6, 38 pts
#4 Western Conference

December 16th at 7:35 PM

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

The gauntlet continues for the Texas Stars this evening as they face the #4 team in the Western Conference (#2 by points), familiar foe the Houston Aeros. Texas has played the Aeros the most of all AHL opponents, 30 times in 3 years. Houston owns the all-time series 16-10-3-0. This year, Texas has played 5 games with the Aeros, going 2-3-0-0.

Texas is riding high off a win against the league leading Barons on Tuesday night. They need to focus their efforts for this game against the Aeros, who have failed to collect a point in only four games of 27 this season. Part of that equation should be the Texas power play. Still highly ranked in the league thanks to a hot start, it has sputtered as of late. The club has failed to register a PPG since their December 3rd game against Charlotte, a streak of 19.

At the same time, once a liability, the penalty kill is humming. Texas was ranked in the bottom 2 for the early season but has now surged to 9th with an 83.5% kill. In their last 50 penalties, they are 92%, contributing to the surge. The Aeros are worse in both categories (18th ranked PK, 20th ranked PP); special teams are where the Stars can really hurt the Aeros.

While Tyler Beskorowany will probably get the start tonight, Jimmy Spratt will have to get one this weekend in all likelihood. There are arguments to be made for both of the next two games. Rochester will be a home game, which is a good place to get your first start. The Americans are in the playoff picture though, so they could be a rough first start. The Rampage are similarly mired with the Stars toward the bottom of the conference. That could be a good start but is on the road. Coach Pyle has a decision to make that isn't an easy one.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)

Hauswirth Recalled, Bachman to Get Another Start

2011-12-15T11:07:00.002-06:00

Minor transaction news today with Jake Hauswirth being recalled to the Texas Stars from the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. The right wing was part of the trade that sent Krys Barch to Florida.

It is a bit confusing that he would be brought up, since Texas is alternately scratching Stephen Schultz and Eric Godard and would not likely like to add another body to the press box rotation at this time. Best indication is that Texas wants to get a feel for what they have in Hauswirth in case of the need for later recall. Texas has only a few forwards in the ECHL/CHL level so it would be good for Coach Pyle and GM White to know what they have in Hauswirth, how he fits with the team and what his strengths are, just in case. I would not expect him to dress for any games this weekend.

In other news, Richard Bachman's shutout performance in MSG earned him the start tonight against the NY Islanders. This will be Bachman's third straight start in the NHL, previously winning at LA.

Here is the Hauswirth release:

The Texas Stars announced on Thursday that the Dallas Stars have reassigned right wing Jake Hauswirth from the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League to the Texas Stars. The Dallas Stars are the NHL affiliate of Texas.

The Dallas Stars acquired Hauswirth in a trade with the Florida Panthers on December 7. Dallas sent forward Krys Barch to Florida in exchange for Hauswirth and a sixth-round pick. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound right wing is in his third pro season, spending the first two pro years in the ECHL with Cincinnati and South Carolina. Hauswirth played in 19 games with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the CHL this season. The right wing has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 19 games played. In all, the Merrill, WI native has played in 130 pro games, scoring 35 goals and totaling 75 points.

Bachman Showing Texas Fans the Full AHL Experience

2011-12-14T11:00:00.000-06:00

Richard Bachman in warmups for a December 20th, 2010 game against the OKC Barons.(Credit: Texas Stars)
I am sure that I am not alone among Austinites in feeling a little extra bit of pride last night as I watched Richard Bachman shutout the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Despite what was ultimately an ugly grinder of a game, the goose egg remained for the full 60, and "The Biz" collected his first NHL shutout in just his second start. Commentators Ralph and Razor praised the "kid's" performance, calm and controlled with rebounds going exactly where they needed to be. For Texas fans, it was just another hum-drum performance, something that we have been treated to nightly for this season and last.

In my estimation, Bachman is first truly impactful Dallas Stars callup that Texas fans can fully claim as their own. While others have been called, they either didn't or haven't yet made a huge impact (Gagnon, Vincour, Larsen) or couldn't really be called "ours" in the first place (Jamie Benn). This was the piece of the puzzle that Texas fans were missing in the AHL experience, and Richard Bachman has provided it.

Take a look at some other rosters across the league. How many of those pesky Hershey Bears from the 2009-10 playoffs do you see now on the Washington Capitals roster? What about Admirals on the Predators' roster? There are many and that is because of their strong farm systems. Dallas has been, until recently, rather bare in the cupboard with regards to prospects and system depth. As GM Joe restocks, Texas is a major beneficiary as we get to see the future stars of the NHL play a season or two in Cedar Park before moving on.

As those players move on, the NHL club is stocked more and more with former AHLers. Every time one of those forwards tallies a goal, defensemen lays a devastating check or goalies makes a fantastic save, you remember a fuzzy faced young kid who came through the farm system and did the same. This is the full AHL experience that Texas Stars fans have been missing. Richard Bachman is the first of, hopefully, many players who give Austin something special to be proud of in the NHL.

First Period Outburst Pushes Stars Past Barons 3-2

2011-12-13T21:23:00.001-06:00

Stephen Schultz, who scored his first pro goal tonight, works on Barons' defenseman Taylor Chorney behind the net. (Credit: Steven Christy)
Tonight in Oklahoma City, the Stars played arguably one of their best game of the season, beating the league-leading Barons by the score of 3-2. Texas did their damage in the first period with three goals in the period. Scoring came evenly from three of the four lines. The Stars limited shots against, allowing only 20 in the entire contest, which certainly helped matters.

Texas opened the scoring three minutes into the first with the first professional goal from rookie Stephen Schultz. The Colorado College product collected his tally generating traffic in front with assists to Roman and Hedden. Hedden was moved to this line after a few games on the top line with Sawada and Morin.

Six minutes later, Texas was up a man with a delayed penalty coming for the Barons. Dan Spang jumped over the board as the extra attacker. Texas setup a power play look with Sawada in front. He was rewarded as Brenden Dillon blasted a point shot that Sawada tipped past David LeNeveu.

Sceviour had the Stars third goal of the period. Scott Glennie was down on the ice by the end of the play but Sceviour extended the Stars' lead to three with his third of the year. The Stars and Barons tied on shots in the period at eleven.

Yann Danis would start the second for OKC. The Stars continued their dominance in the period but didn't beat Danis. Outshooting the Barons 10-2 in the period, Texas controlled the pace and led 3-0 after 40. It was a rough and tumble period for Texas with several Stars, including Wathier, needing minor attention from DJ Amadio, the Stars trainer. All returned to the bench and didn't miss a shift.

The Barons would not go lightly into that good night though. Beskorowany needed to be sparkling including another "you've got to be good to be lucky" sprawling save early in the period on Triston Grant. Grant was involved in some nastiness halfway through the period as he sucker punched Brad Lukowich on the Stars PK. The ensuing 4-on-4 saw the Stars' give up a goal against. Taylor Chorney scored for the second time in as many games against Texas to make it 3-1.

The Stars locked it up until the last second of the game. The Barons scored an ultimately meaningless goal with 1 second left. The refs didn't even both to drop the puck after the goal. It was over, and Texas came out on top. What a quality win for Texas. The team has to feel good about this win and they deserve to.

Tonight's lines:
Sawada-Morin-Fraser
Gazdic-Garbutt-Tousignant
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Hedden-Roman-Schultz

Lukowich-Fortunus
Spang-Labrie
Benn-Dillon

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Godard, Coyle (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 2,393.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Oklahoma City - December 13 2011

Texas Stars Report: Facing the Gauntlet

2011-12-13T15:30:00.000-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

This Tuesday morning finds the Texas Stars (10-12-0-1, 21 pts, #15 Western Conference) at the bottom looking up in the Western Conference standings. This week's slate of games wouldn't have you thinking that Texas is a last place team, however. They beat the #2 team in the conference in a 3-0 shutout and played tight with the league's top team only to lose 3-2.

It's a cruel fate for the Stars, who are trying to grow together as a team and learn to finish while they are constantly beaten down by the three top teams in the league, who are all in their division. The Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers), Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild) and Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames) combine for 30 of 76 total games against the Stars this season.

Coach Pyle talked a lot about finish in Saturday's postgame comments. "We need 50 shots to get 3 goals, and that's where we struggle. You're not going to win scoring two goals every night, you're going to need three and four."

"We get shots, we're putting it to the net but we've got no finish. When you get opportunities, you've got to bury them."

Read more at Defending Big D...

Gameday Preview: Stars at Oklahoma City Barons

2011-12-13T09:45:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
10-12-0-1, 21 pts
#15 Western Conference

Oklahoma City Barons
19-6-0-1, 39 pts
#1 Western Conference

December 13th at 7:00 PM

Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK

With Saturday's loss and the various moving parts around them, the Stars find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference this week. To add insult to injury, they will play against the Oklahoma City Barons once again this evening, the top team in the league.

Saturday's contest against OKC did not have the look of a first place against last place battle. That's really the troubling part about Texas's recent play. The Stars got two of three from Charlotte and had OKC in striking distance for much of the game on Saturday. This roster has a chance to explode at any point, but Coach Pyle notes that right now they lack finish.

It doesn't help that Texas is in a division with the top three teams in the league, teams that they will play a total of 30 times this season: OKC at 39 pts, Houston at 38 and Abbotsford at 37. The deck is seemingly stacked against them in this regard. There is no time to develop "finish" because the team is getting the tar beat out of them by three teams that could easily be in the Calder Cup Final this year. The Rampage are even showing signs of life, winning three of their last five and five of the last ten.

So where to go from here? Something that can be an immediate effect on this team is the power play. It has been statistically good if you measure the whole season, but has dropped off recently, going 0/6 on Saturday. One power play goal in that contest, and it's an entirely different look. Coach Pyle recently shuffled power play lines in Charlotte, giving Texas two there, but it was ineffective against OKC.

The good news in all of this is that pesky "games played" number. Texas only has 23 games so far this season, tied for Milwaukee for fewest so far. Their win percentage actually places them in #13 and the #9 team (Peoria) is only a seven-thousandth of a percentage point better in terms of winning percentage. If Texas rattles off three of the next four, they are #8 in the conference. If they get 5 points in the next 4 games, they are back to .500 hockey. That's a tough task with OKC and Houston on the schedule this week, but it has to happen to keep this team competitive.

As to the Barons, Texas is familiar with them from this week. Changes to their lineup include the exclusion of Josh Green, who was suspended yesterday and injuries to Linus Omark, Teemu Hartikainen, and Andrew Lord.

In other news, Texas has recalled defenseman Jace Coyle from the Idaho Steelheads. Coyle will be the 7th defenseman here in Texas, but he was an essential part of the lineup in Idaho, where the club is suffering with callups and injuries on D.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: okcbarons.com
Blog (unofficial): NewsOK's Barons Hockey
Blog (unofficial): Oil Field Hockey
Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey

Barons Halt Streaking Stars 3-2

2011-12-10T22:47:00.001-06:00

In a game against the top team in the league, Texas played them tough but ultimately lost to the visiting Oklahoma City Barons 3-2 tonight. The loss stops Texas's streak at two. "I thought we outplayed them and had opportunities," said Coach Pyle. "We played just good enough to lose."

Texas went 0/6 on the power play in the game and allowed a PPG goal to OKC. The Stars rallied from down two in the third but couldn't close the gap with the power play goal being the difference. "If we don't give up that third one, we're right back in it." Beskorowany stopped 16 of 19 in the losing effort.

Oklahoma City got the first goal of the night late in the third period. Texas would have been first if not for that pesky high sticking rule. An amazing display of hand-eye coordination put the puck in the net from two feet above anyone's head. No goal.

Oklahoma City's Tanner House scored on a rebound shot from Hunter Tremblay's point shot, catching Beskorowany sliding right to left. Texas went 0/3 in the first period on the power play and outshot OKC 13-6.

Tristan Grant extended the lead on a breakaway goal that beat Besko clean six minutes into the second. The Stars got three more power play opportunities and couldn't close any of them. "We get shots, we're putting it to the net but we've got no finish. When you get opportunities, you've got to bury them."

Texas came to life in the third period as Scott Glennie collected his 3rd goal of the year, off a beauty of a feed from Wathier. Dan Spang had the second assist. With time winding down, Ryan Garbutt found himself in the box for tripping an OKC defenseman in the OKC zone. It was a needless penalty as Texas had numbers back to cover. Garbutt was going for the puck in the replay, but that was not the ultimate result of the play. Taylor Chorney scored his first goal of the year on the ensuing power play, setting the score at 3-1.

The Stars pulled Beskorowany with over two minutes left in the game to try for the second and third goals. They got one. Matt Fraser had a great shot across the net to find twine on the far side of the goal. His twelfth of the year was assisted by Morin and Spang.

Coach Pyle talked a lot about finish in the postgame comments. "We need 50 shots to get 3 goals and that's where we struggle. You're not going to win scoring two goals every night, you're going to need three and four."

Tonight's lines:
Tousignant-Garbutt-Fraser
Sawada-Morin-Hedden
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Gazdic-Roman-Schultz

Spang-Labrie
Lukowich-Fortunus
Benn-Dillon

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Godard (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Both even strength goals were scored against the fourth line (Gazdic-Roman-Schultz): "Our fourth line was minus-2 tonight, we need better effort from those guys. You need more from everybody."

Tulupov's misconduct penalty in the first period was incurred after he flipped off the penalty box camera for all to see. The refs caught it and gave him ten.

Tonight's attendance was 4,878.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Oklahoma City - December 10 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Oklahoma City Barons

2011-12-10T02:30:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
10-11-0-1, 21 pts
#12 Western Conference

Oklahoma City Barons
18-6-0-1, 37 pts
#1 Western Conference

December 10th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

After getting two of three from the #2 team in the conference and Midwest division leading Charlotte Checkers, the Stars' reward is the league leader, the Oklahoma City Barons. "I think we have a little bit of a grudge matching coming against Oklahoma City," said Beskorowany. "They're obviously looking to keep going in first place and they don't want to back down."

The grudge match that Beskorowany refers to has to do with the lopsided contests already in the books in the season series between these two. Texas smashed Oklahoma City in the home opener 7-0, scoring four power play goals, stopping six power plays against and earning a shutout for Richard Bachman. OKC returned the favor six days later in Cox Convention Center, blowing Texas away 10-1. Beskorowany officially took the loss, but both tenders allowed five goals each.

The two teams haven't played since October 15th, taking much different paths since then. Even just in the last ten, OKC is 8-2-0 and Texas is 4-6-0. Both teams come in on two game winning streaks. Luckily for Texas, OKC is on the last night of a 3-in-3 that saw them in Houston on Thursday morning (kid's game) and back in OKC last night.

Ryan Keller leads the Barons in scoring with 9-11-20. Philippe Cormet is just behind with 15-3-18; his 15 goals are #2 in the league for goal scoring. The two are tied for the most game-winners in the league at four each.

David LeNeveu ranks #4 in the league in goaltending with a 6-2-1 record 1.87 GAA and .933 SV%. Yann Danis has gotten more starts though and sports an 11-4-0 record, 2.33 GAA and .924 SV%. They are a goaltending tandem that rivals the Charlotte duo for tops in the league and has veteran experience as well. Both broke into the pro ranks eight years ago (03-04) and have played in the double digits of NHL games.

Expect Texas to start Tyler Beskorowany again, coming off his shutout performance last night. As far as his move to the starter role is concerned, he is ready. "It's a little bit of a change mentally, but I have to prepare the same way whether [Bachman]'s here or not." Coach Pyle points to Beskorowany as well, "We want Besko to run with it, and we told Spratt may be we give him a start [next week]. Besko's earned it though."

Coach Pyle broke down the Stars success against Charlotte, saying that they had a chance to win every game. "I thought we'd been playing really good. We just needed a few saves at times. We needed a timely goal. Timely scoring, good defense."

Texas hopes for a little bit of both and some more magic in nets from Beskorowany to post a third consecutive win tonight against the Barons.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: okcbarons.com
Blog (unofficial): NewsOK's Barons Hockey
Blog (unofficial): Oil Field Hockey
Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey

Beskorowany, Stars Shutout Checkers 3-0

2011-12-09T23:20:00.001-06:00

After two weeks away, the Stars returned to the Cedar Park Center with authority, flexing their muscle to a 3-0 win over the #2 team in the conference. Tyler Beskorowany collected 29 saves in the shutout performance and Texas got scoring from three different lines, including a shorty. "Everybody's clicking from grinders to goal scorers," said Beskorowany. "We had guys blocking shots and clearing out well. We did everything well tonight."

The Stars spent the first shift of the game hemmed in their own zone, but then occupied the Checkers' zone for the next four minutes, setting the early game pace. Brenden Dillon got in an early fight after a hit to Dan Spang. "Great team game," said Coach Pyle. "We stuck up for each other."

Texas opened the scoring on the penalty kill, their second shorthanded goal in as many games. Francis Wathier deftly put the puck on the stick of a breaking Colton Sceviour for Colton's second of the year. Brad Lukowich collected the second assist. The Stars would take that lead to the first intermission.

Just under six minutes into the second, Matt Fraser scored for the second straight game, his eleventh on the season. Wathier again assisted the play, and Dan Spang picked up the second. Texas was up 2-0 and needed to protect that lead. A little bit more insurance came from an unexpected source in the form of Hubert Labrie's first professional goal. Labrie blasted one past Peters for the Stars' third of night at the 7:39 mark. Hedden and Morin assisted the tally.

From there on out, it was the Tyler Beskorowany show. Charlotte was held off the scoresheet in large part due to his spectacular night. His best save was in the third period. Already flat on the ice from his first save, Beskorowany reached up with his glove hand to snag the rebound shot out of the air and prevent it from hitting the yawning net. "My parents always told me you've got to be good to be lucky," said Beskorowany. Tonight, he was both.

Texas now plays another top team, the Oklahoma City Barons, who are #1 in the league. The last two games between these teams had a combined goal scoring total of 19. Texas came out on top first 7-0, then OKC 10-1. It's going to be a grudge match for sure.

Tonight's lines:
Sawada-Morin-Hedden
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Tousignant-Garbutt-Fraser
Gazdic-Roman-Godard

Lukowich-Fortunus
Benn-Dillon
Spang-Labrie

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Schultz (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 5,601.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Charlotte - December 9 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Charlotte Checkers

2011-12-09T10:45:00.001-06:00

Texas Stars
9-11-0-1, 19 pts
#13 Western Conference

Charlotte Checkers
15-8-1-1, 32 pts
#2 Western Conference

December 9th at 7:30 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

The Texas Stars are back in action tonight at the Cedar Park Center against a familiar foe for them, the Charlotte Checkers. Texas has faced the Checkers in their last two games, both in Charlotte, and earned a split on the road. The Checkers meanwhile, stayed in North Carolina for a few more days and played two more against Lake Erie before heading to Texas.

The biggest news for the Checkers over the last six days was the recall of half of their dynamic goalie tandem to Carolina. Mike Murphy got the call on Tuesday and even got eight minutes of gametime, ignominiously being the first goalie in history to collect a loss despite not allowing a goal against. The Checkers called up John Muse from Florida (ECHL). Expect to see Justin Peters (6-4-1, 2.32 GAA, .928SV%) in net though. The Stars beat Peters in their last game and he lost against Lake Erie on Monday as well.

So how did the Stars beat Charlotte in their last game? For one, the power play started clicking again. Texas had been held to a 3/24 (12.5%) power play efficiency over the previous five games, including three total blankings. The Stars need their power play to work for the team to win. That much has been shown. On the season, Texas is 34.8% (16/46) on the power play in wins and just 17.5% (11/63) in losses. When the PP clicks, they win.

The ominous cloud in the room is the home losing streak that the Stars have been enduring. Texas has not posted a home W in over a month, going 0-4-1 in that stretch, last winning against Toronto in OT on November 3rd. Texas also only has one regulation win at home, coming in their first game a 7-0 blowout of the Barons. Further more, Texas is 3-6-0-1 overall at home but 6-5-0-0 on the road. If you flip two or three of those home Ls to Ws, suddenly Texas is in the top eight in the league. The home slide has to stop to keep this team afloat in the West.

Emerging offensive play from Jordie Benn has buoyed the Stars despite the loss of power play QB, Philip Larsen. The return of Matt Fraser to the scoresheet after an eight-game cold streak can only help matters as well. The rookie still leads first year scoring for the Stars and ranks #14 in the league.

With six days rest coming into the weekend, expect Beskorowany to start both of these games. They are important contests against the #2 and #1 teams in the conference.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: gocheckers.com
Checkers Social Media: Social Media
Blog (unofficial): Chasing Checkers
Twitter: @checkershockey
Twitter: @mikelappan (PR)

Stars Send Coyle to Steelheads, Possible Larsen Return?

2011-12-07T11:37:00.003-06:00

(Credit: Portraits by Deena)
Texas announced today that they have sent defenseman Jace Coyle to the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads. Coyle has been the odd man out for the past few games with Hubert Labrie getting starts instead.

However, this leaves just six defenseman in Texas. Does this presage a reassignment of Philip Larsen to the Texas Stars with Alex Goligoski and Trevor Daley both close to a return for Dallas? It's very possible. Dallas plays tomorrow and Texas is not in action again until Friday. Idaho plays tonight against Colorado.

The Texas Stars announced on Wednesday the club has assigned defenseman Jace Coyle to the Idaho Steelheads, the Stars’ ECHL affiliate.

Coyle is in his first pro season, having played in 11 games without registering a point. The 21-year old spent the last three years playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder enjoyed his best WHL in 2009-10, setting up 36 goals and totaling 46 points in 68 games played. In 241 WHL games from 2007-11, Coyle scored 25 goals and totaled 107 points. The undrafted defenseman attended training camp with the NHL’s Dallas Stars in 2011 and played for the Stars in the 2011 Traverse City Prospects camp.

Texas Stars Report: Bonding on the Road

2011-12-06T13:50:00.000-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

The Texas Stars (9-11-0-1, 19 pts, #13 Western Conference) hit the road this week for an oddly extended road trip against the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes). The Checkers joined the Western Conference this year to make room for the St. John's IceCaps (Winnipeg Jets) in the East. With the long travel distance, Texas played both of their road games against the club in the same week without any in between.

The Stars seem to have made the most of the time off on the road, which is often cited as the place where a group of individuals becomes a team. Brad Lukowich and company enjoyed a Joy Formidable concert on Friday and also tweeted his followers after finding that Luke Gazdic, Ryan Garbutt, and Scott Glennie had left their credit cards at the local Ruth's Chris. It appears Glennie, the rookie, may have "bought" Lukowich dinner that night.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Stars Snag Big Victory in Charlotte, 4-2

2011-12-03T23:09:00.005-06:00

Texas managed to send 8,913 North Carolinians home unhappy this evening with a 4-2 come from behind victory. Texas got every kind of scoring with even strength, power play and even shorthanded goals getting the tally to the victorious four. This was a big win for Texas. The lines were slightly retooled, including the power play, which is discussed below. The point here is that Texas can hang with the big boys in the conference, such as Charlotte, and is very close to having something great on the ice every night.

Luke Gazdic scored his sixth of the year and his first shorthanded goal to open the scoring in the first. Brett Sutter and the Checkers evened things one minute later and the score was tied after one.

Charlotte opened the second period scoring with a goal from Drayson Bowman, unfortunately for Texas a shorthanded goal. Texas then climbed back into the driver seat with two power play tallies. Coach Pyle retooled his power play units to great success tonight. Two of the players changed had goals on the PP.

First, Matt Fraser was swapped to the umbrella PP unit, which features one defenseman and four forwards. Jordie Benn stays at the point while the other four spread out in an umbrella formation. Ryan Garbutt lost his spot on the PP to make room for Fraser, who joined Wathier, Sceviour and Glennie. Fraser collected the first PP goal at 14:44 of the second.

Newcomer to the power play, Mike Hedden, replaced Matt Fraser on the second more "traditional" PP unit, which also features Dillon, Lukowich, Morin and Sawada. Hedden made good on his PP time, scoring his second goal of the year, the eventual game winner, with four seconds left in the period.

Texas added one more in the third off the stick of Maxime Fortunus, his third of the season. Beskorowany had 22 saves on 24 shots in the game. Texas went 2/8 on the PP and did not allow a Charlotte PP goal on 5 tries.

Tonight's lines:
No lines tonight, as I couldn't watch or listen live. Note that Hedden started on a line with Morin and Sawada though. Godard was swapped into the lineup for Stephen Schultz.

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Coyle, Schultz (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 8,913.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Charlotte - December 3 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at Charlotte Checkers

2011-12-03T13:04:00.002-06:00

Texas Stars
8-11-0-1, 17 pts
#13 Western Conference

Charlotte Checkers
14-6-1-1, 28 pts
#2 Western Conference

December 3rd at 6:00 PM

Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC

Texas faces the number two team in the Conference once again this evening in North Carolina. Including the last game between the two teams, Charlotte is on a five game winning streak and a six game point streak. Overall, they are 8-1-0-1 at home. This is a challenging team to play against, but this game is winnable. Texas had Charlotte.

If you thought Texas might get a reprieve in net with Mike Murphy not starting, Justin Peters was just named the Goalie of the Month for November. No such luck. This is going to be a hard battle and the Stars will play Charlotte again at home next Friday. Watch for bad tempers to boil over next week if this one is an out of hand L either way.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: gocheckers.com
Checkers Social Media: Social Media
Blog (unofficial): Chasing Checkers
Twitter: @checkershockey
Twitter: @mikelappan (PR)

Neal Sent Back to Idaho

2011-12-02T14:37:00.002-06:00

Just a quick note today that Michael Neal was returned to Idaho today by Texas. The Stars called up Neal when Francis Wathier was called to Dallas this past Monday. Wathier was returned Tuesday, thus eliminating the need for another forward in Austin. Neal did not play in the Stars' game against Charlotte Wednesday. Texas is in action again on Saturday.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars announced on Friday that forward Michael Neal has been assigned to the Idaho Steelheads, Texas’ primary affiliate in the ECHL.

Neal was recalled on Monday, but did not see action with the Stars on his recent stint. He is in his third season within the Dallas Stars organization. The Whitby, ON, native has played 22 games with Texas over the previous two seasons. During his time in Texas, the forward has three goals and 14 penalty minutes. The 22-year-old played in 19 games with Idaho this season, totaling three goals and seven points. For his career, Neal has played in 144 pro games with Idaho and Texas, scoring 17 times and totaling 40 points. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (#149 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Talking Texas Stars on Boise Radio Tonight

2011-12-01T15:15:00.003-06:00

Tyler Beskorowany and Hubert Labrie, who have both spent time in Idaho, in last night's game in Charlotte. (Credit: Gregg Forwerck)
I am continuing my regular appearances on the KTIK Steelheads Hockey Show in Boise with another interview tonight. With the callups around the team, we are sure to discuss Tyler Beskorowany's development as well as Hubert Labrie, Ondrej Roman and other former Steelheads.

I will appear on this evening's program at 6:20 Mountain/7:20 Central on AM 1350 in Boise. You can listen online by following this link and then selecting the Idaho Steelheads logo.

Austin Hockey Group Works to Build New Rink in Cedar Park

2011-12-01T10:45:00.001-06:00

Despite a recent 30 day reprieve, the closure of the Chaparral Ice rink of I-35 still looms large over the Austin hockey community. Among adult league players and parents of youth players, rumors have swirled about the construction of a new rink, to be built by the Austin Hockey Group. To dispel any incorrect rumors and get the facts straight and out in public, 100 Degree Hockey interviewed the president of the Austin Hockey Group, Corky Brown.

Austin Hockey Group President Corky Brown is very clear on the goal of his organization.

“The Austin Hockey Group was created with the knowledge that Chaparral on I-35 was going to be sold,” says Brown. “Our goal is to pursue building a dual sheet facility to keep ice sports alive here in Austin, and we are working toward those means and are very close to finalizing a deal.”

Corky Brown is not a newcomer to hockey in general or in Austin. He played for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints from 1988 to 1990. After his playing career was over, Brown moved on to coaching, becoming a master level coach for USA hockey and coaching instructor for the Central Texas region. He is Executive Director of the Austin Youth Hockey Foundation and coaches the America’s Showcase High School All-Star team in Pittsburgh, PA, yearly. In addition, he has 49 goals and 76 assists in just 87 games played in Austin’s amateur league. The credentials are there.

For Brown, growing up around the rink meant a sense of community and togetherness through hockey. The Austin Hockey Group hopes to accomplish that with their new rink.
“From a business perspective, there is a huge opportunity for us to do everything from grow the community, to the marketing, to the integration with the community. Most places [around the country], the rink becomes a social location, a destination location.”

Original plans by the group to buy Chaparral Ice eventually failed, leading them to look for a location for a new rink in Austin. Despite some rumors to the contrary, they have not changed their mind on this point.

“We did a demographic study for the ice sports community, and 85% of our constituents live within 10 miles of a location in [the area of 1431 and Parmer]. Cedar Park seems like a natural fit because the Texas Stars are located there, but part of that is driven by that’s where the current customer base is located.”

The ultimate goal is to create facility similar to the Dr Pepper Stars Centers in the DFW area. Inclusion of facilities such as a bar, concessions or a restaurant really depend on how much the group can do with the money they have available to spend. “[The most important thing] is not the construction of the building, but the culture in which people feel like they want to be there.”

The biggest question for most local players and parents is the expected opening date. Brown and the group are targeting a Fall 2012 opening. “As of today, it can still happen. If [finalizing the deal to get the project off the ground] lingers too much longer, then every day it’s put in jeopardy,” said Brown. He added that given the number of permits and other administrative concerns, “Even if we had the deal done today, I wouldn’t know when we would break ground.”

In the interim, many adult players have joined the newly formed Austin Hockey Club with games to be played at the Cedar Park Center. The newest schedule of games at the rink will begin next week. The top tier amateur league has already played in the facility since ice was put down this fall.

“The reason we have an adult league at CPC is an attempt to pay forward and keep sustainability going for a future rink. A lot of people misconstrue us putting together this league at the CPC as a way to shutter Chaparral. What people may not realize is that in running the travel program, I work with[Chaparral Ice employees] Angie [Schneider Vaught] and Jason [Mauer] on a daily basis. Our goal in doing this is to keep sustainability because we know at some point Chaparral is going away at some point.”

While the Texas Stars are not in any way partnered with the group in their pursuit of building a rink in Austin, “The Stars and [Stars president and CPC GM] Rick McLaughlin have been incredibly gracious (in the process of setting up the CPC league).” The Stars clearly recognize the importance of keeping hockey alive and well in Austin.

Brown believes that is the goal of everything that his group is working on.

“In a nutshell, our goal in this is to keep ice sports alive and well in the Austin area.”

Charlotte Grinds Out 3-2 Win Over Texas

2011-11-30T20:15:00.000-06:00

The Charlotte Checkers proved why they are the top team in the Midwest division this evening. The Checkers struck first, and Texas came back with two quick ones. Charlotte was not deterred, coming back to score two of their own and win 3-2, locking down a third period where they were outshot 13-7. Texas drops to 8-11-0-1 with the loss.

Charlotte got on the board first with a goal from Zac Dalpe, his third of the year, just 4:23 into the game. Texas was being outshot early and did not gather their first shot until after the eight minute mark of the game. At that point, they poured it on though.

Jordie Benn grabbed his seventh of the season on a rebound of a Travis Morin shot. The goal pushed Benn into the goal scoring lead among all AHL defensemen. Just two minutes later, some low cycle work was rewarded when Luke Gazdic got his fifth of the year, going five-hole on Mike Murphy for a 2-1 lead. Linemates Ryan Garbutt and Mathieu Tousignant were credited with the assists. That lead would only last five minutes, as Brett Sutter tied it up late int he period to send things to the locker room at two a piece. Shots were curiously low at eight each in the period.

The second period's only scoring came when Jon Matsumoto beat Tyler Beskorowany at 11:24 for his ninth of the year. Shots were led by Charlotte in the period at 9-6 to lead by a 17-14 total count after two.

Texas would go on the power play multiple times in the third period, including a short 5-on-3, but they were ultimately 0/5 on the night. A late period bench minor for too many men stalled any momentum they might have had from the two immediately preceding power plays. Even with the extra skater, Texas couldn't break through and the final would end up at 3-2 for Charlotte.

Mike Murphy finished with 25 saves on 27 shots. Beskorowany had 21 saves on 24 shots.

Tonight's lines:
Glennie-Sceviour-Wathier
Fraser-Morin-Sawada
Gazdic-Garbutt-Tousignant
Schultz-Roman-Hedden

Lukowich-Fortunus
Benn-Dillon
Spang-Labrie

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Coyle, Neal, Godard (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 3,839.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Charlotte - November 30 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at Charlotte Checkers

2011-11-30T10:00:00.008-06:00

Texas Stars
8-10-0-1, 17 pts
#12 Western Conference

Charlotte Checkers
13-6-1-1, 28 pts
#3 Western Conference

November 30th at 6:00 PM

Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC

The Texas Stars travel to the state of North Carolina for their first ever game against the Charlotte Checkers this evening. The Checkers are in their second year in the AHL and are playing in the Western Conference this year to accomodate the move of Manitoba to the East. Charlotte previously played in the ECHL since the 1993-94 season. Coach Pyle has played against this team often with Gwinnett and Travis Morin saw a few games against them in his time with the South Carolina Stingrays. Otherwise, they are unknowns.

The Checkers are a solid team. They are currently #3 in the conference and #1 in a division with the likes of Chicago and Milwaukee. They made the playoffs last year in their first season, defeating the Bears and Penguins before losing to eventual Calder Cup Champion, Binghamton, in the East Final.

Starting in goal, the Checkers have two solid players. Justin Peters has 10 games under his belt this season with a 6-2-1 record, 2.17 GAA and .932 SV%. Mike Murphy is 7-5-0 in 13 GP with 2.43 GAA and a .924 SV%. Leading scorers for the Checkers include Jerome Samson and Jon Matsumoto.

The Checkers are a strong team at home, going 7-1-0-1 in the TWC Arena. They also love playing from ahead, as do most teams, going 8-1-0-0 when scoring first. They do have a tendency to be outscored in the third with a 7 goal deficit in that period over the season. If Texas does get behind, there is a precedent for the team to catchup. Chasing Checkers notes that the team has had trouble playing a full 60 recently.

Their power play is midpack at home (#17 at 17.4%) but stellar overall (#5 at 20.4%). PK is also midpack at home (#13 at 82.4%) and overall (#18 at 81.4%). Expect a lot of shots in this game. Texas shoots a lot (#4 at 33.16 per game) and Charlotte allows a lot (#24 at 32.43).

In other notes, Checkers forward Chris Terry is on a 7 game scoring streak with 10 points in that time. The Checkers are on a 3 game home win streak as well.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour, Bachman (callup)

Website: gocheckers.com
Checkers Social Media: Social Media
Blog (unofficial): Chasing Checkers
Twitter: @checkershockey
Twitter: @mikelappan (PR)

Dallas Assigns Wathier

2011-11-29T16:33:00.006-06:00

Just a quick note here that Texas received Francis Wathier back from Dallas today. Vernon Fiddler was able to play in last night's game against Colorado, eliminating the need for the callup. Wathier will be available for tomorrow's game in Charlotte.

As a side note, I usually cover transactions on my Twitter before I write up a blog post about them. If you want to know about up-to-the-minute transaction information, why don't you give me a follow at @100degreehockey?

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced on Tuesday that the NHL club has assigned forward Francis Wathier to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Wathier (pronounced WATH-ee-ay) was recalled on Nov. 27 and was a healthy scratch in Monday night's game at Colorado. Wathier has skated in 19 games for the Texas Stars this season, posting five goals and seven assists totaling 12 points while earning a team-leading plus/minus rating of +3. The 6-4, 218-pound forward has gone scoreless in his eight career games with the Dallas Stars, posting an even-or-plus rating in six of the contests. The St. Isidore, Ontario, native was Dallas’ sixth-round selection (185th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

(Image credit: Steven Christy)

Texas Stars Report: The Ripple Effect

2011-11-29T16:15:00.000-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

As you can imagine, the Texas Stars (8-10-0-1, 17 pts, #12 Western Conference) are feeling the ripple effect this week of Dallas's 3-0 loss in Phoenix on Saturday night. As soon as I got word that Kari Lehtonen was out for the Stars, I knew I was watching Richard Bachman's last game in the Cedar Park Center for a while. Further bad news came as Francis Wathier was also needed to fill in after Fiddler's injury. The only saving grace is that Texas didn't need to give up another defenseman. It is unclear who would even be sent at this point.

The other side of the coin for AHL fans is the callup from the ECHL. Who does Texas get to replace the departing players? The Dallas organization does not have a 5th goaltender under contract as we have had in the past, so Texas has signed goalie Jimmy Spratt to a PTO (Professional Tryout) to backup Tyler Beskorowany. Texas has a back-to-back next weekend and a 3-in-3 the week after that, so Spratt will have to get at least one start in the next three weeks. Michael Neal, brother of the Penguins' James Neal, was also called up to bolster the forward ranks. If Trevor Daley can't go for whatever reason moving forward, Texas will have to sign a defenseman as well.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Texas Adds Forward Neal, Signs Goalie Spratt

2011-11-28T13:40:00.000-06:00

With two glaring needs in their lineup, Texas added to their ranks today by pulling from Idaho. Forward Michael Neal and goalie Jimmy Spratt will join the club in Cedar Park before they embark on a two game trip to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Michael Neal is under contract to Dallas and has played for Texas here and there before. He never really impressed a lot in his time here, but has done good work this year in Idaho and earned this callup through his play.

Credit to Justin Goldman of the Goalie Guild for calling the callup of Jimmy Spratt as the Dallas system's fifth tender. He has seen action in the ECHL and CHL in his three year career and will backup Tyler Beskorowany in his first callup to the AHL. I think this is more of a Adrien Lemay type callup, where he will not be expected to start any games, but it will remain to be seen if Coach Pyle has a different philosophy on giving his backups starts.

Here's the full release:

The Texas Stars announced on Monday that the club has recalled forward Michael Neal from the Idaho Steelheads, the Stars’ ECHL affiliate. Texas also announced the team has signed goalie Jimmy Spratt to a Professional tryout agreement (PTO).

Neal is in his third season within the Dallas Stars organization. The Whitby, ON native has played 22 games with Texas over the previous two seasons. During his time in Texas, the forward has three goals and 14 penalty minutes. The 22-year old played in 19 games with Idaho this season, totaling three goals and seven points. For his career, Neal has played in 144 pro games with Idaho and Texas, scoring 17 times and totaling 40 points. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (#149 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Spratt is a third-year pro who started the season with the Idaho, going 5-5-0 with a 2.95 goals against average and a .920 save percentage over 12 games. He split last season between Toledo and Victoria of the ECHL, as well as Rapid City of the CHL. In all, Spratt made 20 appearances, going 9-7-1 with a 3.91 goals against average and a .873 save percentage. The Calgary Flames drafted the 26-year old in the seventh round (#213 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Chaparral Ice Gets 30 Day Reprieve

2011-11-28T10:00:00.000-06:00

In an email sent out to league members over the weekend, the Chaparral Ice has announced that the sale of the rink has been delayed by one month. The original closing date of December 1st was quickly approaching, and the buyer has requested an extension, according to the email.

After that point, likely the end of the year now, all games in Austin will move to the Northcross Mall location of Chaparral Ice. In addition, leagues have also formed to play at the Cedar Park Center on nights when the ice is unoccupied by the Stars or special events.

Texas in a Bind as Dallas Calls for Bachman, Wathier

2011-11-27T12:50:00.003-06:00

Last night in Phoenix, the Dallas Stars suffered three injuries to key players. None of them was more key than the groin injury to starting goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Texas starter Richard Bachman finished up last night's game and is now headed to Colorado to meet the team in time for their game against the Avs on Monday.

An injury to Vernon Fiddler will send Francis Wathier with him as well. Wathier is an obvious choice for this callup. He has been doing very well offensively and defensively in the AHL; he knows Gully's system well, having played it for 2 years; and he can fill a similar energy line role to Fiddler.

This leaves Texas in a bit of a lurch. Currently, Texas has one forward over their nightly needs. That scratch has generally been Eric Godard. With Wathier leaving, they need another for those just in case situations. Michael Neal and Tristan King are both in the ECHL right now, but I'm unsure if they would either get a callup. It could be a PTO signing that gets the call. GM White has a lot of connections, so this could come out of left field (for fans). Kael Mouillierat is still kicking around in Boise, so he's a possibility. So are preseason invitees Chad Klassen and David Fredriksson.

More pressing are the needs in goal. Tyler Beskorowany is now your starter, Stars' fans. Who will back him up remains a mystery. The Stars had Billy Sauer in the preseason and Scott White said that they would keep his number on the top of the pile, if he's needed. He is currently with Coach Pyle's former team, the Gwinnett Gladiators. In 5 games, he is 2-3-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .876 SV%. Jimmy Spratt is the top goalie in Idaho and is a possibility as well.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced on Sunday that the NHL club has placed goaltender Kari Lehtonen on injured reserve and recalled goaltender Richard Bachman, as well as forward Francis Wathier from the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Lehtonen, 28, suffered a lower-body injury on November 26 in the game against the Phoenix Coyotes. The 6-4, 217-pound goaltender leads the NHL with 13 wins and has compiled an overall record of 13-4-1 with a 2.35 goals against average (GAA) and a .926 save percentage (SV%) in his 19 appearances this season. The Helsinki, Finland native has registered a .920 SV%-or-higher in 12 of his 19 contests and was named the NHL’s, “Second Star of October,” where he posted an 8-1-0 record with a .947 SV% and a 1.75 GAA.

Bachman (pronounced BAWK-mahn) has a 7-5-1 record earning a 3.13 GAA and a .887 SV% in 15 contests for Texas this season. The Salt Lake City, Utah native appeared in a career-high 55 games for Texas in 2010-11, posting a 28-19-5 record with a .927 SV% and a 2.20 GAA. He played in his first and only NHL game last season, appearing in relief on Dec. 11, 2010 against the Phoenix Coyotes where he surrendered zero goals on four shots in 9:35 of play. The 5-10, 175-pound goaltender was Dallas’ fourth-round selection (120th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Wathier (pronounced WATH-ee-ay) has skated in 19 games for the Texas Stars this season, posting five goals and seven assists totaling 12 points while earning a team leading plus/minus rating of +3. The 6-4, 218-pound forward has gone scoreless in his eight career games with the Dallas Stars, posting an even-or-plus rating in six of the contests. The St. Isidore, Ontario native was Dallas’ sixth-round selection (185th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Texas Falls to Visiting Houston 4-2

2011-11-26T22:45:00.001-06:00

It was the same story, but just a different weekend for the Stars this Saturday. Following a nice OT win in Houston last night, Texas returned home for another matchup with the Aeros and dropped it in regulation. The Stars again had a mixed bag night. "I know it's cliched," said winger Luke Gazdic, "But we're not playing a full 60." Coach Pyle added to that, looking to the veteran players to provide consistency to the younger ones. "Our best players have got to be our best players, and right now, they're not."

The Stars gave up a goal in the first minute of the game but gained the lead in the first minute of the second at 2-1. Texas gave up the lead with two goals against in the second and trailed all the way to a 4-2 loss. "We get what we deserve, if you're not totally committed every shift you're going to struggle"

The first shift starting things off on the wrong foot for Texas. "Veterans guys make a mistake and didn't cover a guy in the slot," said Coach Pyle. That guy in the slot, Joel Broda, made them pay, sneaking down and gunning one past Richard Bachman just 42 seconds into the first. Texas had the quick answer with Mike Hedden's first of the season exactly two minutes later. The fourth line was really earned the goal with Brenden Dillon and Ondrej Roman picking up assists on the tying goal.

The Stars jumped ahead on the power play just 34 seconds into the second period. Jordie Benn blasted one from the point to score his 6th of the season. Glennie and Sceviour assisted, and Texas was in the driver's seat. Texas gave Houston a 5-on-3 opportunity six minutes into the period, and the Aeros made them pay. "The penalty to give them to 5-on-3 was a game changer," said Pyle. "You're only going to kill off so many penalties." Texas Stars-killer Jon DiSalvatore had the goal.

Penalties have been a going concern for Texas. "It's one thing if a guy's battling and maybe he makes a hit like the Wathier penalty in the third period," said Gazdic. "But the trips and the little things, that's just not working hard."

Houston got the next one as well on another missed coverage play by Texas's veterans. The Stars got cuaght watching the puck in their zone and Bachman had no chance to stop a puck off the stick of Chad Rau, which went five hole and set the score at 3-2. "You've got to be able to read and react, head on a swivel. You can't blame [Bachman] for [the third goal]."

Houston added another in the third period, again from Joel Broda. Texas pulled Bachman for the final two and a half minutes of the game in an attempt to get things back to even to no avail.

The Stars now head on the road for two games against the Checkers, a team they've never played before. Charlotte will then travel to Texas for their first game in the Cedar Park Center.

Tonight's lines:
Garbutt-Morin-Sawada
Gazdic-Sceviour-Tousignant
Glennie-Wathier-Fraser
Schultz-Roman-Hedden

Benn-Dillon
Labrie-Fortunus
Spang-Lukowich

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Coyle, Godard (scratched)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 6,274.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Houston - November 26 2011

Texas Wins 2-1 Over Houston in OT

2011-11-25T22:30:00.002-06:00

Texas posted a win in OT at Houston tonight. I wasn't able to watch the game, so here's the official presser. Good win for Texas against a division foe. Again, it would be good not to give up a point to a divisional foe, but still a good win.

The Texas Stars (8-9-0-1, 17 points) defeated the Houston Aeros (10-3-2-4, 26 points) 2-1 in overtime in front of 7,009 fans at the Toyota Center on Friday night. Defenseman Maxime Fortunus blasted a shot past Houston’s Matt Hackett with 37 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Stars to victory. Texas goalie Richard Bachman (7-5-1) stopped 32 shots for the win, helping the Stars improve to 5-4-0-0 on the road this season. Stars rookie forward Scott Glennie also scored, as Texas picked up its second consecutive win at Houston this season. Aeros forward Jed Ortmeyer forced overtime, scoring with 46 seconds remaining in regulation to spoil the Stars shutout bid. Houston goalie Matt Hackett (7-3-3) stopped 24 shots in the loss. The Stars host Houston this Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Texas scored the only goal of the first period, as Scott Glennie opened the scoring at 14:10. Defenseman Jordie Benn sent a cross-ice pass to Glennie in the left-wing circle of the Houston zone. Glennie snapped a wrist shot past Matt Hackett for his second goal of the season and a 1-0 Stars lead.

After a scoreless second period, Houston pulled the goalie for the extra attacker and scored the game-tying goal at 46 seconds remaining in regulation. Forward Jeff Taffe ripped a shot to the net with heavy traffic in the crease. Jed Ortmeyer tipped the shot past Texas goalie Richard Bachman, scoring his fifth goal of the season and tying the game 1-1.

The Stars worked the puck deep in the Aeros zone with less than a minute remaining in overtime. Center Travis Morin and forward Mike Hedden worked the puck to Maxime Fortunus, who blasted his second goal of the season past Hackett, giving the Stars a 2-1 victory at the Toyota Center.

Tonight's attendance was 7,009.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Houston - November 25 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at Houston Aeros

2011-11-25T11:44:00.002-06:00

Texas Stars
7-9-0-1, 15 pts
#11 Western Conference

Houston Aeros
10-3-1-4, 25 pts
#5 Western Conference

November 25th at 7:35 PM

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

As it's Thanksgiving weekend, I don't have a lot of time ot throw into the gameday preview today. The biggest stat that I can throw out there for this game is this, from Josh Fisher: The Texas Stars have been outscored 42-28 when skating at even strength this year.

If you want to win hockey games consistently, you have to do more than that at 5-on-5. As always, watch for Jon DiSalvatore against the Stars.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour (callup)
Lukowich (injury)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)

Chicago Uses Quick Start to Beat Stars 3-2

2011-11-23T23:10:00.000-06:00

Excepting the first five minutes, Texas played a great game tonight. But unfortunately, hockey game are made up of three 20 minute periods and you have to play hard in every minute to get the W. Texas gave up two goals in the first four minutes of the game before getting one of their own on the power play. Each team would add another power play tally to set the final at 3-2 for Chicago.

"We're a team that needs to play 60 minutes," said defenseman Jordie Benn, who scored a goal in the game. "Our starts aren't the greatest right now, and we need to change that."

Chicago got the first one of the night just 76 seconds in. A faceoff win by Nate Longpre was fed back to Polasek, who blasted it from the point. Coach Pyle recognized tying up on the faceoff as a going concern, "I'd like to see us block out around the net, tie up around the net off faceoffs."

The Wolves scored again at 3:55 off the rush. The rebound goal was potted by Antoine Roussel, his second of the year, on a rebound. "We gave up a deflection and a rebound and we really didn't tie up around the net," said Pyle. "It's been a problem off and on throughout the year."

So Texas was once again playing from behind. Ryan Garbutt collected his second of the year on the 5-on-3 power play on quite the bang-bang play, with at least 4 of the 5 Stars players on the ice touching the puck within 5 seconds of the goal being scored. Garbutt's tally, assisted by Glennie and Benn, set things at 2-1 to end the first. Texas outshot Chicago 16-8 in the period and 12-5 following Chicago's second goal.

Chicago collected the only goal of the second period, a power play goal on a questionable boarding call to Brenden Dillon. Kevin Connauton's 6th of the year beat Beskorowany from other leading scorers Mark Mancari and Darren Haydar. Chicago outshot Texas in the period 13-11.

Again behind after the second, Texas battled into the third, claiming an early power play. Jordie Benn potted his 5th goal of the year with a puck that seemingly had eyes, finding twine from the blue line to make it 3-2. Assists went to Wathier and Glennie.

Texas was then tasked with mounting a comeback in the third while Chicago didn't give them anymore power play opportunities. Matt Climie didn't help matters, playing lights out in the third by stopping all 15 shots. "5-on-5 we can't buy a goal," said Pyle, a concern that has also been voiced by GM Scott White.

With 1:19 of extra man time, Texas could not find the equalizer and lost in regulation. Coach Pyle has the players, who are mostly Canadian, practicing tomorrow, Thanksgiving. The team then travels to Houston Friday for the first game of a home and home weekend series.

Tonight's lines:
Gazdic-Sceviour-Tousignant
Garbutt-Morin-Sawada
Wathier-Glennie-Fraser
Schultz-Roman-Hedden

Labrie-Fortunus
Benn-Dillon
Spang-Coyle

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Godard (scratched)
Lukowich (unspecified injury)
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 5,901.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Chicago - November 23 2011

Texas Stars Report: Wanted: A Full 60 Minutes

2011-11-23T15:00:00.000-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

If you happen to find a full 60 minutes hiding somewhere, please return them to the Texas Stars (7-8-0-1, 15 pts, #11 Western Conference) care of the Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX. At last report, the Stars were in possession of them on Friday night in Houston but lost them on the way home to Cedar Park.

All snark aside, Texas had an up and down week. Only two games on the schedule for the week, both against Houston, resulted in only two points. The Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild) are a strong club and splitting the weekend might have been a good showing, if it weren't for the way it went down. Texas gave up a point by going to OT on Friday and just flat gave up on Saturday in a 5-1 regulation loss.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Chicago Wolves

2011-11-23T09:45:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
7-8-0-1, 15 pts
#11 Western Conference

Chicago Wolves
7-6-0-2, 16 pts
#9 Western Conference

November 23rd at 7:30 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

The Chicago Wolves come to town this Thanksgiving Eve for their second game against the Texas Stars this season, the first between the two in Central Texas. Texas is coming off a bad effort loss to the Aeros on Saturday while Chicago had a four game winning streak broken up on Saturday with a 4-3 loss to the San Antonio Rampage.

Texas will be minus one of their best players in this game as Tomas Vincour is in the NHL with Dallas. Vincour played only 8:16 in Monday's game against the Oilers, but he made a solid impact whether it was in the checking game or with some finesse in front of the net. Texas will miss his .87 points per game. He was the only goal scorer in the Stars' only other game against Chicago, a 2-1 loss.

The loss of Vincour juggles the lines, which were already in flux, once again. The lines of Sawada-Morin-Fraser and Vincour-Garbutt-Wathier were mixed up to the below:

Wathier-Morin-Vincour
Sawada-Sceviour-Fraser
Glennie-Gazdic-Garbutt

It worked Friday; it didn't work Saturday. In fact, coach Pyle began shuffling lines throughout the second and third to try new combinations and see what would work. The third period was better, but the lines weren't the impetus. The simpler style of play slowed things down and lower the chances for Houston.

The Stars will likely see an old friend in net for the Wolves tonight, Matt Climie. Climie is the Wolves top tender at the moment. He is sharing time with last year's top rookie, Eddie Lack, but has a 5-2-0 record compared to Lack's 2-4-2 effort. Darren Haydar, predictably, leads the Wolves in scoring with 7 goals and 12 assists, 10 points higher than the next closest skater. There are some strange curiosities on the roster though as plus-minus ratings vary wildly from a minus-6 by top players Mark Mancari and Kevin Connauton to an outlier plus-12 (!) for Mark Matheson. The next closest plus player is at plus-7.

Chicago is #4 in the league on the PK with an 87.3%. Texas's power play, which has now fallen to #2 in the league behind the Bears, will have a tough time with this crew. If they can get opportunities and score on them, the night will go well.

Additionally, a very interesting stat for Texas: The Stars are winless when trailing after any period (0-3-0-1 trailing after 1st, 0-5-0-0 trailing after 2nd) but are unbeaten when leading after any period (4-0-0-0 when leading after 1st, 7-0-0-0 when leading after 2nd).

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen, Vincour (callup)

Website: chicagowolves.com
Blog (official): UnMic'd with Jason Shaver
Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves
Twitter: @theshaves (Wolves PxP)

Dallas Recalls Vincour

2011-11-20T14:33:00.003-06:00

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have recalled Tomas Vincour to the NHL. Vincour, who started the season with Dallas, is expected to play on Monday night against Edmonton. Dallas, currently mired in a five game losing streak, is looking for any answers they can find right now and thinks Vincour could help. Philip Larsen will also dress for the game.

The Dallas Stars announced on Sunday that the club has recalled right wing Tomas Vincour (Vin-sooer) from the Texas Stars, Dallas’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He will join the Stars for Monday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Vincour, celebrated his 21st birthday with his tenth goal of the season on Saturday against Houston. The right wing leads the Texas Stars with ten goals in 15 games played. In all, he is tied for third on the team with 13 points. He had a five-game goal scoring streak from Oct. 27 – Nov. 6. Vincour’s streak tied Warren Peters’ team record for consecutive games with a goal. Vincour also tied a team record by recording a point in six straight games from Oct. 25 – Nov. 6. He currently has a goal in six straight road games. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder, scored five goals and totaled 12 points in 44 games as a rookie with Texas in 2010-11.

He made his NHL debut last season with Dallas, registering one goal and one assist in 24 games with the NHL club. The Brno, Czech Republic native was selected by Dallas in the fifth round (129th overall) at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Image credit: Ron Byrd

Houston Outworks Texas for 5-1 Final

2011-11-19T22:55:00.001-06:00

Texas got outworked, outhustled and ultimately outscored in tonight's game against the Houston Aeros in Cedar Park. "There's not one guy that played well tonight," said forward Francis Wathier. "It was a team lack of effort."

Texas was down one after the first period but gave up two in the second and only managed one shot on goal in the period. "It was probably one of our worst periods of the year." The Aeros tacked on one more in the third to set Texas below .500 at 7-8-0-1 on the season.

Houston opened the scoring in the first with an even-strength goal off a misplay of the puck by Richard Bachman outside the crease. The goal, just 87 seconds into the game, came off the stick of Carson McMillan. Texas tied things up with a shorthanded goal, their first of the season, just 3 minutes later. Tomas Vincour finished a breakaway play by collecting a fat rebound off a Ryan Garbutt shot. It would be Texas's only goal of the night. The Stars went on the penalty kill late in the period and Cody Almond netted his first of the season to take the lead for Houston.

Things fell apart truly in the second period, however. "Our shifts were way too long," said Wathier. "We didn't put the puck where we wanted it to be." The Stars' were outshot 10-1 in the period. It looked like Texas would get out of the period unscathed, but the last three minutes of the period yielded two Houston goals.

Penner scored on a lucky play from behind the net, as the puck bounced off the skate of a sliding Bachman and in for a 3-1 lead. Casey Wellman collected his 11th of the year with a sniper shot from the left wing circle.

Tyler Beskorowany would start the third and allow one goal in the period, a late tally to Chad Rau to make things 5-1. Texas was a better team in the third. "We kept everything simple. As soon as we got the puck, we went forward, dumped the puck and finished our checks."

Texas is suffering from some consistency issues. Not every period is an even effort and not every game is either. "You've gotta go for 60 or 65," said Wathier.

Two of the next three are against Houston and Texas has to see Houston as a good measuring stick for their overall game. However, the Stars' next game is on Wednesday against the Chicago Wolves in Cedar Park.

Tonight's lines:
Wathier-Morin-Vincour
Sawada-Sceviour-Fraser
Glennie-Gazdic-Garbutt
Roman-Tousignant-Godard

Fortunus-Dillon
Lukowich-Coyle
Spang-Benn

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Labrie, Schultz, Hedden (scratched)

Tonight's attendance was 4,930.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Houston - November 19 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Houston Aeros

2011-11-19T11:14:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
7-7-0-1, 15 pts
#10 Western Conference

Houston Aeros
9-3-1-3, 22 pts
#5 Western Conference

November 19th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

As per usual, a shorter preview for a back-to-back with the same team.
The Stars got what they needed in Houston. Now it's time for them to do the same here in Cedar Park.

Last night's game was a view of what this team is looking to become, really what any team is looking to become: efficient on the power play, stingy on the PK, infrequently penalized and getting shots on net. Texas would do well to try for the full two points in regulation this time. As the Dallas Stars saw last season, even one point can make the difference between playoffs and a long, reflective summer.

That's not to say that Texas gave away a point last night; they stole one from Houston. If given the opportunity, like last Friday's game against Abbotsford, Texas needs to "finish him". Don't allow a talent team like Houston to even get one, because the momentum builds and is suddenly hard to overcome. A 2-0 lead evaporates to 2-2 and then a shootout loss. Those are character building losses and the hope is that Texas learned from last week's.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen (callup)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)

Stars Take Two in Houston with 3-2 OT Win

2011-11-18T22:10:00.003-06:00

Texas took two much-needed points from the Houston Aeros tonight at the Toyota Center, winning in overtime on a rebound goal from winger Ray Sawada. Texas opened the scoring in the first with a power play goal from Jordie Benn but trailed in the third. Tomas Vincour collected his 9th of the year to send things to OT. Sawada collected the game winner 90 seconds into the extra period.

Texas did all the things tonight that they couldn't seem to do last week. They capitalized on PP opportunities with 1/5 effort; they only took one penalty and didn't allow a goal on the minor. They fought from behind in the 3rd and overcame excellent goaltending to get the win. The win breaks the Stars' three game losing streak.

Texas opened the scoring on their first power play of the night. With Medvecin the box for inteference, Texas mixed things up and got Jordie Benn down low. A shot from Travis Morin was tipped by the defenseman to beat Hackett. Max Fortunus collected the secondary assist on the goal. Having a defenseman down low like that has been part of what makes the Texas power play so confounding for the opposition. Shots were 14-7 for Texas after twenty.

Houston evened the score at one with a goal just 50 seconds into the second period. Chad Rau wristed one to the net from the left wing circle and the puck tipped off Bachman's glove to find twine. The goal was assisted by Jed Ortmeyer. Texas came up empty on two power plays in the period and killed off their only penalty kill. The Stars still outshot the Aeros in the period at 9-6 but came out tied at one.

It was another early goal in the third pushing Houston ahead. Jeff Taffe threw one at the net, and the puck ticked off a defenseman's skates to beat Bachman on an unexpected redirect. The goal came just 34 seconds into the third. The only assist on the play went to Cody Almond.

Tomas Vincour tied things up late in the third with an even-strength goal from the right wing circle. The rocket of a shot beat Hackett from the right wing circle and ultimately sent the game to overtime. Assists on the goal went to Wathier and Fortunus.

Texas would come up victorious as Ray Sawada collected a rebound goal off a Travis Morin shot just 90 seconds into the extra period. The Stars face Houston again tomorrow night in Cedar Park.

Tonight's lines:
Sawada-Sceviour-Fraser
Wathier-Morin-Vincour
Glennie-Gazdic-Garbutt.
Roman-Tousignant-Godard

Fortunus-Dillon
Lukowich-Coyle
Spang-Benn

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Labrie, Schultz, Hedden (scratched)

Tonight's attendance was 9,036.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Houston - November 18 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at Houston Aeros

2011-11-18T09:50:00.000-06:00

Texas Stars
6-7-0-1, 13 pts
#12 Western Conference

Houston Aeros
9-3-0-3, 21 pts
#5 Western Conference

November 18th at 7:35 PM

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

The Stars and Aeros meet in Houston for only their second matchup of the season, the first in Houston. Texas and Houston will meet a total of twelve times this season, including four of Texas's next five games.

For Texas, this might be just the right timing to catch the Aeros off their game. The Minnesota Wild have been struck down by injuries and some of the Aeros' top players have been called up to pitch in. Out of the lineup currently are centers Warren Peters and Casey Wellman and defensemen Kris Fredheim and Nate Prosser. Of the four players, Wellman has to hurt the most, as he has been a point per game player this season. Losing Peters will affect the teams status on the faceoff dots negatively.

Leading the way once again for Houston on offense though is the captain, Jon DiSalvatore, a noted Star-killer. In 25 career games against Texas, DiSalvatore has collected 11 goals and 9 assists for 0.8 points per game. Rare is the game when he is not on the scoresheet when these two teams meet. Watch for #14 tonight; he leads the team in offense this season with 7-9-16 in just 15 games of work.

In short, the Stars may have a bit of an opportunity here with callups, but they can't get caught being outworked again like in the San Antonio game. Houston is a much better team right now than the Rampage and they are much more dangerous. If Texas wants to win, they need to play the full 60 minutes.

Additionally, Texas needs to work on 5-on-5 scoring. GM Scott White called this out on the radio this past week and he's right; the numbers don't lie. Texas has scored 47 goals on the season. Twenty-one of those, or 45%, have been power play goals. That isn't a sustainable strategy. What happens when the power play isn't clicking, the other club's penalty kill is out of this world or the other team just won't take penalties? I can't see a team based around the power play performing well against a team like Milwaukee or Chicago, currently both bottom 3 in penalties taken.

Houston, by the way, is also in the bottom five of penalties taken. And they are #7 in the league on home ice penalty kill. Is this a good time to break out the 5-on-5 scoring? You bet.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen (callup)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)

Texas Stars Report: A Rough Weekend

2011-11-15T15:41:00.002-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

It's been a rough week for the Texas Stars (6-7-0-1, 13 pts, #10 Western), who came up winless in their first three games in three nights stretch of the season. Texas faced off against the division rival Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames) at home for two before heading to San Antonio on Sunday for a matinee game against the Rampage (Florida Panthers). The Stars earned only one point on the weekend, losing their first game in a shootout 3-2.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Rampage Break Through Against Stars, 3-2

2011-11-13T18:10:00.001-06:00

Stars goalie Richard Bachman tracks a puck as Rampage forward Bracken Kearns looks to collect a rebound. Bachman had 25 saves on 28 shots in the game. (Credit: Darren Abate/pressphotointl.com)
The Stars have now followed their season high three game win streak with a three game losing streak in their first 3-in-3 of the year. Texas fell to a scrappy San Antonio crew this afternoon at the AT&T Center after falling behind in the second period. Texas collected goals from Francis Wathier and Tomas Vincour on the night but came up short on the game tying goal.

The game started out with a bang as Brenden Dillon dropped the gloves with Bracken Kearns only 18 seconds in to the first. It was the Stars who struck first on the scoreboard, however, late in that first period. On the power play, Francis Wathier tipped a point shot from Jordie Benn to make it 1-0. Tomas Vincour collected as assist on the play as well. The Stars would end the first at a 1-0 lead with a shots advantage of 9-7.

The Rampage controlled the second period though as they outshot Texas 11-5 and outscored them as well. Late in the period, San Antonio tied it up with snipe of a goal by Tim Kennedy that beat Bachman over the left shoulder. Four minutes later San Antonio would jump ahead of Texas with a rebound goal by Mark Cullen.

San Antonio also opened the scoring in the third period as Scott Timmins netted his third of the year on the rush with assists to Evan Oberg and David Marshall. Shortly thereafter, second would go on the power play with Oberg in the box for holding. It was Tomas Vincour finding the net for the 8th time this year. The power play tally went off the post and in with assists from Sceviour and Wathier. The lead was cut to 3-2 for San Antonio.

Texas attempted to even things up in the dying minutes of the third, but San Antonio's Jakob Markstrom kept things at a one goal lead for the Rampage. The win broke a three game losing streak for the Rampage. Texas was 2/5 on the PP and held San Antonio without a power play tally on 4 attempts.

Texas is idle until Friday when they will travel to Houston to meet the Aeros.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Morin-Sawada
Gazdic-Tousignant-Sceviour
Wathier-Garbutt-Vincour
Hedden-Glennie-Schultz

Dillon-Lukowich
Fortunus-Labrie
Spang-Benn

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Coyle, Godard, Roman (scratched)

Tonight's attendance was 5,735.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - November 13 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at San Antonio Rampage

2011-11-13T00:01:00.002-06:00

Texas Stars
6-6-0-1, 13 pts
#10 Western Conference

San Antonio Rampage
4-8-0-0, 8 pts
#15 Western Conference

November 13th at 3:30 PM

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

The Stars come to San Antonio for another Sunday matinee game this afternoon. The same two teams played last weekend with great result for the Stars, a 4-0 win. Texas comes into this game playing their third in three nights. San Antonio is on one day's rest.

For the Rampage, this has to have been a maddening stretch. The club is winless in their last three, starting with last week's loss to the Stars. The Panthers have returned wunderkind goalie Jakob Markstrom to the club, but he has lost both games with the team (both against Lake Erie). Really, beat writer Tony Uminski sums things up best:

If these guys were paid on production, they’d be living under a bridge.

Other than Eric Selleck, NO ONE seems to care enough to drop the gloves.

No one seems to care enough to hit anyone for that matter. These Rampage have brought to mind the true meaning of AHL, Anti-Hitting-League.

Aggression is extinct when this team is on the ice.

The only individual statistical category the Rampage show up on top is Nolan Yonkman’s 10 minor penalties — tied for third.

Nobody is doing anything.

It's scathing and also a reminder that while Texas is not enjoying its usual success, it is certainly not without positives. A strong power play has had a power outage in the past two games and could look to get back into the swing of things against an abhorrent PK from the Rampage (#30 in the league at 72.1%).

Uminski points to the infamous oh-for-November stretch in 2008-9 that got Greg Ireland fired. The Rampage have a tough time with the month of November historically. They are 1-3 this year and went 1-6-1 in 2009 and 0-16-1 in 2008. The only good year in recent memory is 2010, when they went 8-4-0.

Despite all this, the game against San Antonio is not one to look past. Texas will have a team on its hands that has all the pieces but just isn't clicking at 100%. Sound familiar? Stars fans know firsthand how dangerous that combination can be once things come together.

Stars injury/call up report:
Larsen (callup)

Website: sarampage.com
Blog (unofficial): Rampage with Tony U.
Blog (unofficial): Runnin' With The Herd
Twitter: @SARampage
Twitter: @SARampage_Voice (play-by-play for SA)

Heat Skate By Stars, 3-1

2011-11-12T21:30:00.000-06:00

Ray Sawada bears down on Heat goalie Leland Irving. Irving was phenomenal in the game, earning the first star with a 35 save performance. (Credit: Portraits by Deena)
The fell to the Heat for the second consecutive night this evening in Cedar Park, falling this time in regulation by a score of 3-1. The majority of scoring came in the early second period as both teams came out of the gate with a track meet mentality. Abbotsford and Texas traded goals with the Heat collecting two to Texas's one. The only other goal of the game came in the third to seal it up. Texas's power play went zero for six on the night. Jordie Benn was the only goal scorer for Texas.

Both teams skated to a scoreless first period as the tight checking game mentality from last night's first period seemeed to be the rule. As the second opened, both teams got into a pacey game. Abbotsford struck first with a goal by Jon Rheault on a turnover in Texas's D zone.

The Stars scored just 18 seconds later to make it 1-1. Jordie Benn scored his third of the year off a faceoff win by Ryan Garbutt. Brad Lukowich also assisted on the play. The Heat struck back themselves with another from Raitis Ivanans, his first pro goal since December 27th, 2008.

Texas got opportunities in the game on the power play but couldn't convert. "We're still getting good looks," said Dan Spang. "But we're hitting a lot of crossbars." The Stars seemed to just have issues putting it all together on the same play. Puck possession was an issue and Texas lost a fair number of puck battles along the boards.

The only other goal of the game came as Tyler Beskorowany cleared a puck into Rheault's chest. Rheault got it to the ice and deftly went around Beskorowany, who was out at the hashes, to pot his second of the night.

Overall, the game felt very winnable at all points throughout the night. Texas will look to rebound against San Antonio tomorrow afternoon, a team they beat 4-0 last weekend. The Stars will be playing their third in three nights and the Rampage will be working on one day's rest.

Tonight's lines:
Gazdic-Sceviour-Glennie
Wathier-Garbutt-Vincour
Fraser-Morin-Sawada
Tousignant-Godard-Roman

Dillon-Fortunus
Coyle-Spang
Benn-Lukowich

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Labrie, Schultz, Hedden (scratched)

Tonight's attendance was 6,226.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Abbotsford - November 12 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Abbotsford Heat

2011-11-12T00:01:00.001-06:00

Texas Stars
6-6-0-0, 12 pts
#9 Western Conference

Abbotsford Heat
9-4-1-0, 18 pts
#5 Western Conference

November 12th at 6:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

As per usual, today's will be a shortened gameday preview for the second game of a back-to-back against the same team. Texas faces off again tonight against the Abbotsford Heat, who proved last night that they are a real force in the West Division.

Last night's game was mostly about a breakdown of discipline listening to Coach Pyle's postgame comments. "They've got to have more discipline," said Coach Pyle. Texas isn't planning on really changing anything. Why should they? The first two periods were tight and physical hockey where the Stars took advantage of the power play opportunities given to them, which were numerous. Abbotsford is 7th in the league with 19.62 PIMs per game. They have given their past two opponents a total of 16 power play opportunities. Texas has to use their dominant power play to take charge in tonight's game.

"We're not going to change anything," said Pyle. "They're playing their third game in three nights so we have to take advantage of that."

Overall, Texas knows that points are just as important in November as they will be in March and April. "We've given away points early in the season that we haven't wanted to give away."

Stars injury/call up report:
I would expect Philip Larsen to get a callup with the Golisgoski injury, and Jace Coyle could see his first game action since last Thursday against Toronto.

Website: abbotsfordheat.com
Blog (unofficial): BC Local News: Abby News
Newspaper: Abbotsford Times
Twitter: @abbotsfordheat
Twitter (play-by-play): @RyanPinder

Heat Claw Back for SO Win Over Texas, 3-2

2011-11-11T23:00:00.000-06:00

The Texas Stars felt the sting of their first shootout or regulation loss this evening as the Abbotsford Heat claimed the extra point in the skills competition to win 3-2. Texas jumped out to a lead in the second period with a power play tally from Matt Fraser and extended it on a goal by Ray Sawada in the 3rd. The Heat roared back with two goals in the last 4:04 of the game, including one with the goalie pulled, to tie it. The game would go to the shootout where Texas would go scoreless and see the Heat snipe three to win. "We had tons of chances to win the game throughout," said forward Ray Sawada. "So it was a frustrating way to lose the game."

The Stars and Heat skated to a scoreless first period with the Stars going 0/2 on PP opps in the period. The shots were 9-6 after one, favoring Texas. The tight physical game continued in the second. Abbotsford took an ill-advised slashing penalty with Jordan Henry slashing Brenden Dillon out of frustration with the puck on the other side of the ice. Texas capitalized with Matt Fraser's 9th goal of the season, assisted by Morin and Larsen. The goal was scored from Fraser's favorite place, the right wing circle, to set the score at 1-0. The period ended with that score and shots for Texas at 22-11.

Ray Sawada extended the Stars lead with a hard charging play to open the third. Sawada went hard to the net and got a favorable bounce off goalie Leland Irving to make it 2-0. Linemates Fraser and Morin assisted the play. The Stars continued to pour it on, getting open looks and breakaways all night, but continuously getting shut down by Leland Irving, who earned a third star for his performance. "Their goalie played very, very well," said Coach Pyle. "He made some saves that most goalies wouldn't make." Irving was quick on the glove and with any luck the Stars won't get a repeat performance tomorrow night.

Texas spent 8 minutes of PP time in the third, including two 5-on-3s totalling 90 seconds, but couldn't put the last nail in the coffin. Despite the lack of success in the game, Texas did well not to retaliate and keep themselves a man up. "We'll go on the power play all day if they're going to take cheap shots," said Sawada.

With five minutes left, Ryan Garbutt took an interference penalty that resulted in a Heat forward on the ice for an extended period. He eventually skated off without incident, but Texas was on the PK. Just nine second into the penalty, Brendan Mikkelson bombed one from the point to beat Bachman and make it 2-1. "With 5 minutes left, we take a penalty that you can't take," said Coach Pyle. "I don't care what you have to do to stay out of that position, but that penalty turns the whole game around. You cannot take that penalty."

The back-breaker came as the Heat pulled Irving and, with 46 seconds left, tied up the game on a garbage play in front of the net. Texas skated through a scoreless overtime period to arrive at the shootout for the first time this season. Only four Heat shooters were needed as three scored and Texas came up empty on three attempts of their own.

Coach Pyle was frustrated with the way the game slipped away in those last four minutes, especially given the chances the Stars had all night. "We had open nets and breakaways, and we have to find a way to manage those last four minutes better." Texas isn't looking to change anything in their early play tomorrow, but they have to work to close out games better. After last Thursday's last minute goal by Toronto, Texas was lucky to emerge with two points in overtime. This time, the luck went the other way. Coach Pyle hopes to ensure that next time, luck isn't involved.

Tonight's lines:
Gazdic-Sceviour-Glennie
Wathier-Garbutt-Vincour
Fraser-Morin-Sawada
Tousignant-Hedden-Schultz

Benn-Spang
Dillon-Fortunus
Larsen-Lukowich

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Coyle, Godard, Roman (scratched)

Tomas Vincour and Francis Wathier were scoreless in the game, ending both of their scoring streaks.

Tonight's attendance was 5,393.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Abbotsford - November 11 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars v. Abbotsford Heat

2011-11-11T10:00:00.001-06:00

Texas Stars
6-5-0-0, 12 pts
#8 Western Conference

Abbotsford Heat
8-4-1-0, 17 pts
#5 Western Conference

November 11th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

After a long layoff, the Stars look to continue their three-game winning streak with a battle against the Abbotsford Heat this Veteran's Day. This is the first of eight meetings between the teams, which are division rivals for the first time this season.

Abbotsford is coming on strong in the early going on this season. Their leading scorer, Krys Kolanos, was just recently named the AHL Player of the Week with 7-6-13 so far on the season in just 6 games. Other top players include the returning Greg Nemisz with 6-6-12 in 13 games and Ben Walter, who played for Lake Erie last season, with 4-7-11 in 13 GP. The top scorer against the Stars last season, TJ Brodie, is in the NHL with Calgary for this weekend's games.

Texas is 4-3-0-1 all-time against the Heat and 2-1-0-1 in Cedar Park. The Heat are coming off a 5-3 victory over the Houston Aeros at the Toyota Center last night. The Third Intermission notes that the Aeros lost because they got into penalty trouble and allowed two PPGs on just four chances. The Heat PP is dangerous at 4th in the league with 26.9%. Texas, as we have documented, has a bad statistical penalty kill at 76.5% (27th), but has tightened up recently, only allowing two PPGs against in their last four games (86.7%). Part of the challenge tonight for Texas will be their own power play. Clicking along at 33.3%, they will face the #7 ranked PK of Abbotsford (85%). The road PK for ABB is even better at 89.2%.
Goaltenders for the Heat include the returning Leland Irving, who has all of Abbotsford's wins at 8-4-0 on the season. He has a 2.21 GAA and .909 SV% with one shutout. Joni Ortio is the backup for Abby, seeing action in three games and earning a record of 0-1-0. The 2009 sixth round draft pick for Calgary saw one game last year and previously played in SM-liiga for TPS Turku.

In remains to be seen how recent callup Ondrej Roman fits into this lineup. Coach Pyle is unlikely to break up any of the first three lines, in my estimation, due to the success they have been enjoying. The Fraser-Morin-Sawada line is one of the best in the conference. The Wathier-Garbutt-Vincour line features two players on scoring streaks of five games or more. And finally, the Gazdic-Sceviour-Glennie line got off to a slow start but banged in two points each on Thursday against Toronto. Hedden-Tousignant-Schultz had good chances and strong energy on Thursday night as well, and it's only a matter of time before it breaks through.

The point was raised on Defending Big D that the Ondrej Roman callup and the placement of Dallas forward Steve Ott on IR may indicate that someone is getting a callup from Texas. At this point, I think that is unlikely. Dallas is in the middle of a roadtrip on the East Coast and has done just fine without Ott or an extra body in the press box so far on the trip. With coach Gulutzan exchanging Dowell, Barch, Petersen and Wandell on the fourth line so fluidly, there doesn't seem to be a need for the call. I would be very surprised if anything did come of the situation.

Stars injury/call up report:
None.

Website: abbotsfordheat.com
Blog (unofficial): BC Local News: Abby News
Newspaper: Abbotsford Times
Twitter: @abbotsfordheat

Stars Recall Roman from Idaho

2011-11-09T17:19:00.003-06:00

(Credit: Texas Stars)
The Texas Stars announced this afternoon that they have recalled forward Ondrej Roman from the Idaho Steelheads. He has had a great stint with the Steelheads, getting some good ice with the team and contributing six points in six games.

This movement presages one of two things. Either another forward will be sent to Idaho or someone is injured. I would guess the send down would be either Hedden or Schultz. It is a good and bad place to be in for Texas. They have a lot of forwards playing well right now. The line of Hedden-Tousignant-Schultz is providing a spark to the team that fourth lines rarely have. The problem is that there are too many forwards playing well. We will see what happens on Friday.

The Texas Stars announced on Wednesday that forward Ondrej Roman has been recalled from the Idaho Steelheads, the Stars’ ECHL affiliate.

The 22-year old Roman played in six games for the Steelheads this year, posting two goals and totaling six points. He played two games in Texas without securing a point. Roman is in his second full season of pro hockey after playing in 72 games with Texas last year. As a rookie, Roman scored eight goals and set up 14 for a total of 22 points. The Ostrava-Prouba, Czech Republic native is scoreless in two appearances for the Stars this season. Dallas drafted Roman in the fifth round (#136 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Texas Stars Report: Putting the Pieces Together

2011-11-08T15:34:00.002-06:00

The Texas Stars Report on Defending Big D...

It's been a great week for the Texas Stars (6-5-0-0, 12 pts, #8 Western Conference), who returned to the Lone Star State after four on the road for contests against the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) and in San Antonio against the Rampage (Florida Panthers). Texas won both games with key lessons learned in each.

Against a strong Marlies club, Texas allowed two early PPGs but roared back to win 4-3 in OT. The Stars showed their collective grit and character while killing a 93 second long 5-opn-3 in the second period, which was definitely the turning point of the game. "The momentum coming off that and the fans yelling pumped us up," said winger Colton Sceviour.

Read more at Defending Big D...

Special Teams Key Stars to 4-0 Victory in San Antonio

2011-11-06T17:57:00.001-06:00

Brenden Dillon and Richard Bachman fist bump after Dillon's blast found twine thanks to a tip by Francis Wathier in the second period. (Credit: Soobum Im)
The Stars took the short trip down I-35 today and returned with a strong victory over the San Antonio Rampage to put them above .500 with a 6-5-0-0 record. Texas skaters Vincour and Wathier both extended point and goal scoring streaks on the night to six and five games respectively. Richard Bachman collected a shutout with a 29 save outing, his second shutout of the season.

And while Texas got scoring from their top three lines in the game, the big story was special teams. Texas held the Rampage without a power play goal despite six opportunities. The Stars only allowed two power play goals in their last four games (13/15).

Texas opened the scoring right away in this game with a goal from Texas's top line of Fraser-Morin-Sawada. Ray Sawada found Travis Morin on the right side of the net where he got a shot off and collected his own rebound for the first goal exactly at the one minute mark of the period. The goal was his fourth of the year and was assisted by Sawada and Fraser. With the assist, Fraser took sole possession of the lead for rookie PP points at seven. Texas outshot the Rampage nine to eight in the period.

The Stars kept the pressure on with a goal by Francis Wathier at the 12:25 mark of the second. Brenden Dillon blasted a shot from the right point, which Wathier tipped in front for the 2-0 lead. The goal extended Wathier's scoring streak to five games.

Not wanting to be left out of the scoring streak talk, Tomas Vincour picked up a goal of his own in the dying seconds of the second period. With Texas on the power play, Vincour snapped one past Foster for his 7th goal of the year and fifth in as many games. Assists went to linemates Francis Wathier and Ryan Garbutt. The period ended with a 14-5 shot advantage for Texas in the frame.

The Stars continued to pour it on in the third period. Luke Gazdic picked up his fourth of the season with assists from Sceviour and Fortunus, his second of the night. Richard Bachman was spectacular in the final frame, keeping everything in front of him, especially on the Rampage power play.

Texas now has a long layoff before the Abbotsford Heat come to town for two on Friday and Saturday. The Heat will play in Houston on Thursday night and will play the Stars to complete the 3-in-3.

Tonight's lines:
Wathier-Garbutt-Vincour
Fraser-Morin-Sawada
Gazdic-Sceviour-Glennie
Tousignant-Hedden-Schultz

Dillon-Fortunus
Larsen-Lukowich
Benn-Spang

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Coyle, Godard (scratched)

Tomas Vincour and Francis Wathier both extended their scoring streaks with points tonight. Tomas Vincour's streak of points stretched to six with a goal in the second and his goal streak went to five games with the same tally. Wathier picked up a goal and an assist to set his point streak at five games, going 3-3-6 over that period.

Maxime Fortunus returned to the lineup and collected two assists, both secondaries.

Tonight's attendance was 4,157.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - November 6 2011

Gameday Preview: Stars at San Antonio Rampage

2011-11-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

Texas Stars
5-5-0-0, 10 pts
#10 Western Conference

San Antonio Rampage
4-5-0-0, 8 pts
#15 Western Conference

November 6th at 3:30 PM

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Texas takes to the road today for a short jaunt to face the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center this afternoon. The Rampage, who are currently in last place in the conference, are coming off a strong 6-1 win against the Toronto Marlies last night at home. The win was the first of current 6 game home stretch dating back four games to October 21st. With a long layoff between games, the Rampage went "back to camp", calling up several players from the ECHL and CHL levels and running a more training camp style practice schedule to make guys fight for position. It worked.

However, it also can't be overstated that the Rampage got some help in net from an NHL quality netminder last night. Scott Clemmensen, who is currently on a conditioning assignment from Florida, has played in Florida and New Jersey in the NHL. I would estimate that he is unlikely to start the second game of the back-to-back, but it's not entirely impossible. The early start time is what would make me question that. Current "backup" Brian Foster, who has played 7 games this season, is 3-3-0 with a 3.24 GAA and .892 SV%.

The Rampage's offensive outburst has to be seen as a positive sign of life for the team. The team was outscored 13-4 in their last four game, all at home, before last night's 6-1 win. Right winger Michael Repik leads the team with 2-6-8. Bracken Kearns (4-2-6) and Colby Robak (2-3-5) follow him. Former Star Greg Rallo has struggled in the early season with only two goals and one assist in 9 games. However, the center has a plus-5 rating, so things can't be all bad for his play.

Texas had a bit of a curious thing happen on Thursday. The Stars won a reasonably high-scoring game and got no contribution from their power play. For Texas, that's a good thing. It shows that this team is developing multiple dimensions and can score many different ways. Despite early power play goals against, Texas locked down their penalty killing to great effect in the second period, stopping a 93 second long 5-on-3. These little moments and single games start to add together to a greater whole. The team can build on their success on Thursday by continuing to improve that penalty kill against the #25 ranked San An PP.

Another game-within-the-game storyline is the Texas PP against the Rampage PK. Texas is ranked #1 overall in the league with a 34.0% conversion rate. San Antonio has the worst PK in the league at 70.2%. To say that the Rampage need to stay out of the box would be a massive understatement.

In other notes, Tomas Vincour is on a five game scoring streak, going 4-2-6 over that period. Francis Wathier is on a four game streak with 2-2-4, including the game winner in OT last Thursday.

Stars injury/call up report:
Fortunus (unspecified day-to-day)

Website: sarampage.com
Blog (unofficial): Rampage with Tony U.
Blog (unofficial): Runnin' With The Herd
Twitter: @SARampage
Twitter: @SARampage_Voice (play-by-play for SA)

Texas Takes Down Toronto 4-3 in OT

2011-11-03T23:00:00.000-05:00

Francis Wathier scores the game winning goal in overtime against Toronto this evening (Credit: Judy True)
The Stars got back to .500 hockey this evening with a great character game against the Toronto Marlies, one of the top team in the Western Conference. After falling behind 2-0, Texas roared back to 3-2 in the second and third period only to give up the tying goal in the dying seconds of the third.

Colton Sceviour and rookie Scott Glennie each scored their first goals of the season and added assists on the night as well. "Getting that first one is huge," said Sceviour. "It's was a great play from my linemates: the cycle and the pass out front." The Stars' Francis Wathier scored his third of the year to win it just 45 seconds into the OT.

The Stars and Marlies played through a scoreless first until the last minute of the period. An extended 5-on-3 put Toronto ahead on a goal from league-leader Joe Colborne, his 9th of the season. Ryan Garbutt would take a penalty at the end of the first that would extend into the second and result in a Marlies goal as well. Ryan Hamilton collected his 2nd of the season just 19 seconds in. Texas was in a 2-0 hole early in the second with both goals coming on the PK.

"Our penalty kill, statistically, doesn't look good, but we've been battling," said Coach Pyle. "The character and work ethic was good all night long."

That character and work ethic showed through over the next 20 minutes for Texas. Luke Gazdic picked up a primary assist on a pretty play from behind the net to Scott Glennie out front, who beat Rynnas stick side high. It was Glennie's first goal of the season. The Stars took two quick minors and were staring a 93 second 5-on-3 in the face. They killed it with extreme prejudice. Pucks were cleared, and lanes were blocked. It was a complete effort.

"Anytime you kill off a 5-on-3, especially one for 1:40, that's not an easy play at all," said Sceviour. "The momentum coming off that, and the fans yelling pumped us up."

Three minutes later, Tomas Vincour skated down the right wing side and sniped one past Rynnas with assists to Garbutt and Larsen. Tied at two, Texas had momentum going into the third.

Colton Sceviour potted his first of the season five minutes into the third on one that just snuck over the line. Glennie and Gazdic assisted on the play. The Stars were set for a 3-2 victory and the full two points until the last minute of regulation. With Rynnas on the bench, Toronto beat Bachman on a rebound play with just 44 seconds left. The game would go to OT.

One shift was all Texas needed in the OT to end the game. Colton Sceviour collected a missed pass at the blue line and passed it down to Francis Wathier, who was all alone and beat Rynnas on the stick side for the win. The 4-3 OT win was Texas's second OT victory of the season, both at home.

Texas plays again on Sunday at San Antonio. Coach Pyle was happy with the win, but was looking for improvement in the mental sides of the game moving forward. "We've got to manage the clock and the score better. Sometimes we don't have the patience we need."

Tonight's lines:
Wathier-Garbutt-Vincour
Gazdic-Sceviour-Glennie
Fraser-Morin-Sawada
Tousignant-Hedden-Schultz

Larsen-Lukowich
Dillon-Benn
Coyle-Spang

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Fortunus (day-to-day injury)
Godard (scratched)

The newly created line of Tousignant-Hedden-Schultz played good quality hockey tonight. Coach Pyle commented positively on it in the postgame: "They don't score but they're eating up a lot of minutes. You need three lines going, but I thought tonight we had four going... Everybody is an important piece of the puzzle."

The forecheck was an important piece of the puzzle, leading to one of the Stars' goals in the game. Sceviour: "We talked about getting your feet moving on the forecheck and forcing them to go D-to-D and look for other options." It worked as the pressure got the best of Toronto on more than one occasion.

Tonight's attendance was 5,781.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Toronto - November 3 2011