Texas Stars Weekly Update - Dec. 26, 2016
Dec 26, 2016
Stars Return from Holiday Break with Three Games this Week
Last week’s record: 2-0-0-0
Overall record: 15-10-1-1
CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars return from the American Hockey League’s holiday break with a three-game schedule this week beginning Tuesday in San Antonio.
-- THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE --
December 27 at San Antonio Rampage at 7 p.m. CST:
The Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage will square off for their sixth meeting of the season on Tuesday. Texas currently holds a 4-1-0-0 record over San Antonio and has won each of the last four matchups. Forward Brandon DeFazio leads all skaters in the series with five points (1-4=5) in four games for the Stars. Texas is coming off a home-and-home sweep of the Rampage last week.
December 29, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. CST and December 31, 2016 at 7 p.m. CST vs. San Diego Gulls:
The Stars play host to the San Diego Gulls for the second and third of four total meetings this season. San Diego took the first matchup back on Oct. 22 in a 5-4 regulation finish over Texas. The Stars won five of their six matchups against the Gulls last season with Brendan Ranford leading all skaters with 11 points in the six matchups (6-5=11) for Texas. The Gulls eliminated the Stars from last year’s opening round of the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs.
-- LAST WEEK’S RESULTS --
December 21, 2016 vs. San Antonio Rampage, 2-1 Win:
Nick Ebert and Gemel Smith provided the offense in a low-scoring affair, and Landon Bow took care of the rest, as the Texas Stars took game one of a home-and-home series against the rival San Antonio Rampage in a 2-1 final on Wednesday night at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Ebert’s opening goal snapped a personal 11-game goal drought. JT Compher was San Antonio’s lone goal-scorer. Brandon DeFazio added two assists and the Stars won their third straight game over the Rampage in the finish.
December 22, 2016 at San Antonio Rampage, 5-4 Win:
The San Antonio Rampage knotted the game with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, but it was Matej Stransky who scored the key goal with 12 seconds left to give the Texas Stars a 5-4 road win on Thursday night at AT&T Center. Stransky’s game-winner gave the Stars a two-game sweep of their rivals in the home-and-home series. The Rampage suffered their fifth loss in the last six games. Caleb Herbert finished with a three-point game for the Stars (2-1=3). Justin Dowling tallied an assist to take over sole possession of third place in Stars history in points and assists.
-- NEWS, NOTES AND UPCOMING MILESTONES --
The Stars are currently 4-2-0-0 in their 11-game stretch where they won’t leave the state of Texas. Justin Dowling enjoyed a special night on Dec. 23 in a 5-4 win over San Antonio. The Texas forward tallied the assist on Travis Morin’s second period power play goal to take over sole possession of third all-time in franchise history in career assists and points. Dowling passed former Stars captain Maxime Fortunus with his 124th assist and Greg Rallo with his 192nd point. Dowling trails Colton Sceviour for second all-time in both categories (141 assists and 240 points). He is two back of Matt Fraser for fourth all-time in goals (70). The Stars lead the AHL with eight shorthanded goals this season. The franchise record for shorthanded goals in a season is 13, set last year.
-- UPCOMING PROMOTIONS --
Thursday’s game is an H-E-B Night with the Stars. Fans who donate any H-E-B branded, non-perishable food item at the box office receive a $5 discount off their ticket purchase.
Saturday’s New Year’s Eve battle with San Diego will feature a Stars 2017 Calendar giveaway. The game is also a Texas Lottery Lucky Row Night and will feature Coke Zero Family Four-Packs. The first Stars player to score wins free scratch tickets for a lucky row of seats at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, courtesy of the Texas Lottery, and fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks starting at just $16 per person, courtesy of Coke Zero.
The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, and are currently in their eighth season at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Full season, 24-game, 12-game and six-game ticket packages for the 2016-17 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com.