Texas Stars Weekly Update
Apr 6, 2015
CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars wrapped up a perfect week to inch their way closer to locking up a spot in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Stars magic number to clinch a playoff spot is at six points with three games scheduled this week, including a weekend pair at Cedar Park Center.
Last week’s record: 3-0-0-0
Overall record: 35-21-13-1 (6th, Western Conference. 3rd, West Division)
-- THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE --
April 6 at Iowa Wild, 7 p.m. CST:
Tuesday’s contest is the eighth and final matchup of the season between the Texas Stars and Iowa Wild. Texas is 5-1-1-0 against Iowa this season and is riding a three-game winning streak. The Stars sit sixth in the AHL’s Western Conference and Tuesday’s contest closes out a three-game road trip through the Midwest. The Wild are 2-6-1-1 in their last 10 games. For the Stars, forward Greg Rallo is on a four-game point streak and has six points (five goals, one assist) in seven games against Iowa this season. Iowa’s Michael Keranen has five points (one goal, four assists) in seven games against the Stars.
April 10, 7:30 p.m. CST and April 11, 7 p.m. CST vs. Hamilton Bulldogs:
With their magic number down to six, the Stars could potentially be in position to secure a spot in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs in front of their fans with a weekend pair of games against the Hamilton Bulldogs at Cedar Park Center. The Stars have split their previous two games this season against the Bulldogs, who sit just outside the playoff bubble in ninth place in the Western conference – three points back of the eighth and final playoff spot. Hamilton is led by AHL Rookie of the Year candidate Charles Hudon, who is second among rookies with 55 points (17 goals, 28 assists) this season.
Broadcast Info: TexasStarsHockey.com, Texas Stars Mobile App, and AHLlive.com
-- LAST WEEK’S RESULTS --
April 1 vs. Adirondack Flames, 7-4 Win:
Three consecutive second period goals propelled the Texas Stars to a 7-4 win over the Adirondack Flames in a chippy contest that saw a combined 84 penalty minutes at Cedar Park Center on Wednesday. Scott Valentine, Greg Rallo, and Justin Dowling each scored in the middle frame as Texas turned a one-goal first period deficit into a 4-3 advantage heading into the third. Dowling (two goals, one assist) and Valeri Nichushkin (three assists) led the Stars offense with three-point games. Jack Campbell earned the win, stopping 23 shots.
April 3 at Milwaukee Admirals, 3-2 (SO) Win:
Jack Campbell made the key save and Justin Dowling scored the shootout-winning goal in round five to lift the Texas Stars to a 3-2 road win over the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center to sweep the four-game regular season series between the two clubs. Campbell denied Pontus Aberg with a glove save, and Dowling ripped a wrist shot from the slot past Marek Mazanec in round five to seal the Texas win. Derek Hulak, Travis Morin, and Devin Shore also scored for Texas in the shootout.
April 4 at Chicago Wolves, 6-2 Win:
Jack Campbell made 36 saves in net and Justin Dowling scored twice as the Texas Stars snapped the seven-game win streak of the Chicago Wolves and swept the season series in a 6-2 win on Saturday night at Allstate Arena. With the win, the Stars have pulled themselves into a tie with fifth-place Oklahoma City in the AHL's Western Conference and lowered their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to six points. Five different players scored for Texas, and for the second straight season the Stars have swept their four-game season series against the Wolves.
-- PRACTICE/TRAVEL SCHEDULE --
Monday: Practice in Iowa
Tuesday: Texas Stars at Iowa Wild, 7 p.m. CST
Wednesday: Travel day
Thursday: Practice, 10 a.m. CST
Friday: Texas Stars vs. Hamilton Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m. CST
Saturday: Texas Stars vs. Hamilton Bulldogs, 7 p.m. CST
Sunday: Day off
-- NEWS, NOTES AND UPCOMING MILESTONES –
Justin Dowling was named the AHL’s CCM Player of the Week after tallying six points in three games last week for the Stars. Jack Campbell appeared in his 100th career Texas Stars game on Saturday at Chicago, and also earned his 46th career win – tying him with Christopher Nilstorp for the franchise record. The Stars have won 10 of their last 13 games and their magic number to clinch a spot in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs sits at six points. Any combination of points earned by the Stars in a game, or points lost by the Hamilton Bulldogs or Milwaukee Admirals in their respective games lowers the magic number.
-- UPCOMING PROMOTIONS --
Friday’s game against Hamilton will be the final Fun Food Friday of the regular season. Fans can enjoy $3 dollar specials on beer, soda, hot dogs, and Pizza Hut slices. $4 Robert Mondavi Private Selection wine will also be available.
Friday’s contest is also a Texas Two-Pack night with the Stars. Those attending the game can save up to 25% on a pair of tickets.
Saturday’s game against Hamilton will be a Coke Zero Family Four Pack and Texas Lottery Lucky Row night. Fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, and parking for as low as $15 per person. The first Stars player to score will win free Texas Lottery scratch-off tickets for a lucky row of seats in a section at Cedar Park Center.
Fans who arrive early to Saturday’s game will also receive a Texas Stars building block mini-figurine.
The Texas Stars entered the 2014-15 season as the AHL’s defending Calder Cup Champions. Single-game tickets are on sale now for the remainder of the current season, and season ticket package deposits for the 2015-16 campaign are now being accepted. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStarsHockey.com.
Photo Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars