Texas Stars Weekly Update
Feb 4, 2015
CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Stars sit one point back of a playoff spot in the AHL’s Western Conference as they continue their eight-game stretch this week against divisional opponents.
Last week’s record: 1-0-1-1
Overall record: 19-15-10-1, 49 pts. (3rd, West Division)
-- THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE --
Feb. 5 at San Antonio Rampage, 7 p.m. CST:
The Stars wrap up a home-and-home set with San Antonio in the eighth meeting this season between the in-state rivals. Rampage goaltender Dan Ellis has shined in the series with a .929 save percentage through all seven games, while rookie Rocco Grimaldi has led San Antonio offensively with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) against the Stars this season. Gemel Smith has notched four of his six goals on the season against the Rampage to lead Texas scorers in the series.
Feb. 8 vs. Oklahoma City Barons, 5 p.m. CST:
The Stars and Barons hook up for the 11th time this season on Sunday, with Texas holding a 5-2-3-0 record in the season series. Sunday’s game will be the final matchup between the two teams at Cedar Park Center as the Barons will move to the AHL’s new Pacific Division next season. Iiro Pakarinen leads the Barons offense with nine points (five goals, four assists) in 10 games against the Stars this season.
Broadcast Info: TexasStarsHockey.com, Texas Stars Mobile App, and AHLlive.com
-- LAST WEEK’S RESULTS --
Jan. 29 vs. San Antonio Rampage, 3-2 Overtime Loss:
Travis Morin and Julius Honka each scored for Texas, but Rocco Grimaldi’s overtime strike proved to be the difference as the Stars fell to the Rampage Thursday night in Cedar Park. Despite the loss, Jussi Rynnas was impressive in net for Texas stopping 42-of-45 shots faced on the night.
Jan. 31 vs. Charlotte Checkers, 4-0 Win:
Jussi Rynnas recorded a 34-save shutout to claim his 13th win of the season. Derek Hulak tallied twice for Texas and Maxime Fortunus notched the 200th assist of his professional career in the Stars victory Saturday at Cedar Park Center.
Feb. 3 vs. San Antonio, 3-2 Shootout Loss:
Dan Ellis stopped Justin Dowling in the third round of a shootout to lift the San Antonio Rampage to a 3-2 win on Tuesday night over the Texas Stars. It was first shootout game this season for the Stars, who were one of only two teams left in the AHL who had not played in a game past overtime this season entering tonight (Hamilton Bulldogs). Brendan Ranford was the only goal-scorer for Texas in the extended session, while San Antonio picked up goals from Vincent Trochek and Rocco Grimaldi.
-- PRACTICE/TRAVEL SCHEDULE --
Monday: Practice, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Texas Stars vs. San Antonio Rampage, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Practice, 10 a.m.
Thursday: Texas Stars at San Antonio Rampage, 7 p.m.
Friday: Practice, TBD
Saturday: TBD
Sunday: Texas Stars vs. Oklahoma City Barons, 5 p.m.
-- NEWS, NOTES AND UPCOMING MILESTONES --
Jussi Rynnas was recalled by the NHL’s Dallas Stars on Tuesday and Anders Lindback was reassigned to Texas for a conditioning assignment. Texas reassigned forward Jesse Root to the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads on Tuesday. Curtis McKenzie appeared in his 100th AHL game Thursday night in the Stars loss to San Antonio. Maxime Fortunus recorded the 200th assist of his professional career in Saturday’s win over Charlotte. Derek Hulak’s two goals on Saturday were the first two goals this year he has scored on home ice. Greg Rallo (500th AHL game) and Derek Meech (600th professional game) are both scheduled to appear in milestone games on Thursday at San Antonio.
-- UPCOMING PROMOTIONS --
Sunday’s game against Oklahoma City will be a Coke Zero Family Four Pack night where fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, and parking for a low as $15 per person.
The Texas Stars entered the 2014-15 season as the AHL’s defending Calder Cup Champions. Single-game tickets and season ticket packages for the 2014-15 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStarsHockey.com.