Campbell Shines, Stars Shutout Wolves 3-0
Mar 15, 2014ROSEMONT, IL – Jack Campbell made 24 saves to record his second shutout in his last three games and goals by Taylor Peters, Taylor Vause and Brendan Ranford paced the Texas Stars to a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Wolves Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
Missing three of its top four offensive weapons with Chris Mueller, Travis Morin and Colton Sceviour on NHL call-up with the Dallas stars, Texas might have been wondering where the goals would come from. Rookie Taylor Peters wasted no time showing the Stars that the youngsters were ready to pick up the slack. Peters innocuous shot from the left wall found its way through the pads of Chicago goaltender Jake Allen just 1:34 into the game. It was Peter’s sixth goal of the year, assisted by Jyrki Jokipakka and Kevin Henderson – Henderson’s first assist and point for the Stars. Texas doubled the advantage at 10:44 as Taylor Vause, denied by Allen on a one-timer from the right circle, skated to the left side of the net and deftly redirected a cross-ice pass from Henderson back across the body of Allen, off the right post and in. It was Vause’s second AHL goal of the season, assisted by Henderson and Peters, both of whom tallied their second points of the contest.
After a scoreless second period, the Wolves turned up the heat on Campbell and the Stars in the third. Chicago was out-shot by Texas 24-16 through the first 40 minutes of play, but the hosts had a slight advantage of 8-7 in the final frame, forcing Campbell to make several dazzling saves. Scott Glennie was penalized for tripping with 2:03 left in regulation and the Wolves pulled Allen to set up a six-on-four power play. The move would backfire as rookie Brendan Ranford stole the puck in the defensive zone, skated up the left wing and from center ice, scored on Chicago’s empty net to seal the victory with a shorthanded goal with 1:19 left in regulation.
Jack Campbell (8-1-0) continued his stellar play since returning from injury, stopping all 24 shots he faced to record his eighth win and second shutout of the season in goal for Texas; it was Campbell’s fifth career AHL clean sheet. Jake Allen (26-14-2-4) finished with 28 saves on 30 shots and suffered his 14th loss of the year in goal for Chicago. The Stars out-shot the Wolves 31-24 and went 0-for-5 on the power play, while holding Chicago to a 0-for-6 night with the man-advantage. The win by Texas snapped a 17-game home point streak for the Wolves (15-0-2-0); their last regulation loss at Allstate Arena came on December 7th against Oklahoma City.
The Stars will continue their three-game road trip on Sunday, March 16th for rematch with the Wolves at 3:00 p.m. at Allstate Arena. Texas will return to Cedar Park Center on Friday, March 21st against the Oklahoma City Barons at 7:30 p.m. Friday’s game kicks off Military Appreciation Weekend presented by Round Rock Auto Group and is a $3 Beer & $4 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Wine Night. Pro-rated full and partial 2013-14 Texas Stars Season Tickets are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.
Photo credit: Steve Woltmann/Chicago Wolves