Stars Lead Western Conference with 19 Games Remaining
Mar 4, 2013STARS WEEKLY (WEEK 22)
Texas Hosts Chicago, San Antonio at Cedar Park Center This Week
2012-13 Record: 33-15-4-5, 75 points (14-7-2-4 Home, 19-8-2-1 Road), First Place – South Division
Week 21 Recap:
The first place Texas Stars came back to earth in Week 21, going 0-2-0-1 in their three games. Texas completed a week-long road trip on Tuesday with a 3-2 loss at Oklahoma City, ending a five-game winning streak and seven-game point streak (6-0-0-1) in the process. Colton Sceviour scored his 14th goal of the season late in the second period to tie the game, but the Barons reclaimed the lead less than two minutes later and led 2-1 after forty minutes. With the Stars pushing for an equalizer, Oklahoma City scored on a counter-attack two-on-one rush for a 3-1 lead late in the third period. Rookie defenseman scored his first career AHL in the final minute to keep Texas’ hopes alive, but the Barons hung on for a 3-2 win.
The Stars returned to Cedar Park Center to begin the month of March with a five-game home stand. Friday night former Texas goalie Matt Climie stopped all 33 shots he faced to lead the Chicago Wolves to a 2-0 win over the Stars in a bizarre game where neither team had a power play. Saturday night the Barons came to town for the 11th meeting of the season with Texas. Rookie Doug Jones scored his first career AHL goal on a first period power play to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. Jonathan Cheechoo tied the game 38 seconds into the second period and Martin Marincin gave Oklahoma City a one-goal lead four minutes later. Just back from an NHL call-up with Dallas, Stars’ leading-scorer Matt Fraser tied the game at 10:16 and Justin Dowling put Texas back in the lead 3-2 a mere 1:38 later. The Barons tied the game with 25 seconds left in the period, but Fraser scored his second of the night, and 26th of the year, at 9:17 of the third period to once again put the Stars in front. Cheechoo responded with his second goal of the game less than two minutes later on the power play, forcing the game into overtime and eventually a shootout. Oklahoma City scored twice on four attempts and goalie Niko Hovinen stoned all four Stars shooters to earn the 5-4 win.
Week 22 Preview:
It’s a lighter game-schedule in Week 22 for the Stars as they have two home games and no travel. Texas will get a rematch with the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday night with a 7:30 p.m. faceoff at Cedar Park Center. Then on Friday, March 8th the Stars will battle with the San Antonio Rampage for the first time since late January. Tuesday night’s game is an H-E-B Night, where fans can receive a discounted ticket when they bring an H-E-B-brand non-perishable food item to the Cedar Park Center Box Office. Friday night is another Texas Lottery Lucky Row Night, a $3 Beer Night and the Stars Team Poster Giveaway presented by Goodwill, with a full-team autograph session after the game.
Left wing Matt Fraser (26-11-37) leads the team in goals (26), points (37), shots (156) and power play goals (13) and has four goals in his last three games. Right wing Colton Sceviour (14-19-33) ranks second on the team in goals (14), assists (19), points (33) and plus-minus (+13), he leads the team in game-winning goals (4) and shorthanded goals (3) and has seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) and a +3 rating in his last six games. Center Justin Dowling (9-5-14) is tied for the team-lead in shooting percentage (16.7%) and has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and a +2 rating in his last four games.
Week 22 Schedule:
(All games are broadcast LIVE over the Internet at www.TexasStarsHockey.com and the free Radio tab of www.ahllive.com and can be viewed via internet pay-per-view video on www.ahllive.com. All times listed in Central Time)
Tuesday, March 5 – 7:30 p.m. – Cedar Park Center – Cedar Park, TX
vs. Chicago Wolves (27-18-4-3, 61 pts.)
Second Place, Midwest Division
Team Notes: Chicago split its two games last week, beating the Stars 2-0 on Friday night, but then losing 2-1 at San Antonio on Saturday. The Wolves complete their four-game regular season series with Texas and are 2-1-0-0 against the Stars this year. Chicago has played the fewest games (52) of any team in the AHL and has a busy schedule this week. The Wolves face Texas on Tuesday night and then fly back to Illinois there they play three-in-three weekend, with a home-and-home with Milwaukee and a Sunday afternoon home game against Rockford. Center Andrew Ebbett missed most of January and February (16 total games) for Chicago while on NHL call-up with Vancouver. He was recalled last week and missed last Friday’s game at Texas, but returned and scored the team’s only goal on Saturday at San Antonio. Ebbett is third on the team in points and has a seven-game point streak. Former Stars goalie Matt Climie has started the Wolves’ last ten games, going 5-4-1 with three shutouts. Climie has five shutouts this year, which puts him in a tie for third in the AHL. Chicago is 5-3-1-1 (12 points) in its last ten games. The Wolves have a strong home record of 15-7-2-3 (0.648), but are just 12-11-2-0 (0.520) on the road.
Leading Scorer: Darren Haydar (RW) – 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) and +13 in 47 GP.
Leading Goaltender: Matt Climie (G) – 2.30 GAA, 0.923 save pct., 15-15-2, 5 SO in 33 GP.
Who’s Hot: RW Darren Haydar leads the team in goals (17), assists (24), points (41) and plus-minus (+13) and has eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) and a +5 rating in his last five games. C Andrew Ebbett ranks third on the team in both assists (17) and points (26) and is on a seven-game point streak with ten points (4 goals, 6 assists) and a +3 rating during that span. LW Bill Sweatt ranks fourth in goals (11) and tied for sixth in points (22) and has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) and a +4 rating in his last five games.
Friday, March 8 – 7:30 p.m. – Cedar Park Center – Cedar Park, TX
vs. San Antonio Rampage (25-25-1-4, 55 pts.)
Fifth Place, South Division
Team Notes: The Stars and Rampage will rekindle their rivalry after 41 days between meetings. Texas last faced San Antonio on January 26th. With five games remaining in their season series, the Stars will host the Rampage twice in March and will travel to AT&T Center three times in April. San Antonio has won seven of its last 11 games and went 5-3-1-0 on its nine-game Rodeo Road Trip. The Rampage only had one game last week, beating the Chicago Wolves 2-1 Saturday night at home. They will travel to Cedar Park on Friday and then host Oklahoma City on Sunday in another light week of games. San Antonio currently has four key players on NHL call-up with the Florida Panthers: rookie Drew Shore, forward Mike Santorelli, goalie Jacob Markstrom and captain Nolan Yonkman. The Rampage are currently six points behind Rochester for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 21 games remaining in their regular season schedule. San Antonio is 26th in the AHL in power play (13.8%) and tied for 15th in penalty kill (83.5%). The Rampage rank 29th in shots on goal average (26.53) and are 28th in shots against per game (32.78).
Leading Scorer: Jon Rheault (RW) – 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) and +2 in 50 GP.
Leading Goaltender: Dov Grumet-Morris (G) – 2.76 GAA, 0.914 save pct., 9-11-2, 2 SO in 24 GP.
Who’s Hot: RW Jon Rheault (17-20-37) leads the team in points, is tied for the team lead in goals and assists and has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and a +1 rating in his last five games. D Brendon Nash (4-11-15) ranks second amongst Rampage defensemen in points and has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and a +3 rating in his last five games. LW Quinton Howden (12-14-26) has three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and a +1 rating in his last three games.
Week 21 Game Results:
February 26, 2013 Texas 2 @ Oklahoma City 3
March 1, 2013 Chicago 2 @ Texas 0
March 2, 2013 Oklahoma City 5 @ Texas 4 – SO
Stars Player of the Week: (Week 21)
Colton Sceviour – RW – #7 3 GP, 5 Points (1 G, 4 A), +1, 5 PIMs
Texas Stars right wing Colton Sceviour continues to be one of the most consistent players on the roster. The Red Deer, Alberta native tallied five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in three games to become the second Texas skater to pass the 30-point mark this year. Sceviour began the week with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 loss at Oklahoma City, and then notched a season-high three-assists against the Barons on Saturday at Cedar Park Center, while also picking up his first fighting major of the season. He has 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) a +13 rating and 13 penalty minutes in 44 games for Texas. Sceivour ranks second on the Stars in goals, assists, points and plus-minus, while leading the team in shorthanded goals (3) and game-winning goals (4). He has also played one NHL game for Dallas this year, recording one assist for his first career NHL point in his second career NHL game.
Stars Quick Hits:
· NEW ACCOUNTS – Three new Stars grabbed their first AHL points in Week 21. D William Wrenn scored his first career AHL goal and point last Tuesday at Oklahoma. RW Doug Jones scored his first career AHL goal and point on Saturday vs. Oklahoma City. D Jacob Johnston tallied his first career pro and AHL point with an assist on Jones’ goal on Saturday.
· 500 ON TUESDAY – Stars center Toby Petersen is set to play in his 500th career AHL game on Tuesday night against the Chicago Wolves at Cedar Park Center. The Bloomington, Minnesota native has 360 career AHL points (141 goals, 219 assists) and 149 penalty minutes in 499 AHL games. Petersen recently played in his 900th career pro game.
· ADULTS ONLY, NO MINORS – For the first time this season Texas had a game without a single power play or a single penalty kill. The Stars played Chicago on Friday night at Cedar Park Center and referee Ryan Hersey did not call any minor penalties, although there were two fights so each team had 10 penalty minutes.
· FIVE ON FIVE SPECIALISTS – The Stars and Wolves will face each other again on Tuesday night at Cedar Park Center and they are amongst the least penalized teams in the AHL. Chicago has a league-low 12.17 penalty minutes per game average, while Texas has the fourth lowest average at 13.28. Two South Division rivals, Houston (12.49) and Charlotte (12.89) join the Stars and Wolves in the bottom four in that category.
· BLINK OF AN EYE – Barons’ forward Jonathan Cheechoo scored the fastest goal to open a period allowed by Texas this season on Saturday. Cheechoo lit the lamp 38 seconds into the second period, as the Barons rallied for a 5-4 shootout win over the Stars. Rockford’s Joe Lavin had previously held the distinction by scoring 61 seconds in the third period on February 5th, a 5-4 shootout win for the IceHogs over Texas.
· TRIPLE THREAT – RW Colton Sceviour tallied three assists on Saturday against Oklahoma City, becoming the third Texas skater this year to post three helpers in one game. D Cam Barker accomplished the feat on November 10th vs. Lake Erie and D Jamie Oleksiak had three assists on January 18th at Chicago. Sceviour also tied for the most points in a game this season by a Stars player. It was the ninth time in 2012-13 that Texas had a player put up three points in one game.
· TWO-HUNDRED PRO & COUNTING – Goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp played in his 200th career pro game on Saturday in a 5-4 shootout loss to Oklahoma City. The Malmo, Sweden native has totaled over 11,000 minutes played in pro hockey, predominately in the Swedish Elitserien (Premier) and All-Svenskan (1st Division). Nilstorp has appeared in 32 AHL games for Texas this season and has made five NHL starts for Dallas.
· APPROACHING STARS MILESTONES: C Toby Petersen is 1 GP shy of his 500th career AHL game. D Tyler Sloan needs 3 GP to reach his 400th career AHL game. LW Luke Gazdic is 1 GP away from his 250th career pro game and 7 GP away from his 250th career AHL game. LW Francis Wathier is 1 assist shy of his 100th career pro assist. RW Colton Sceviour is 1 assist shy of his 100th career pro assist and 2 assists shy of his 100th career AHL assist. D Carl Sneep is 3 GP away from recording his 150th career pro game. RW Bretton Cameron needs 2 points to record his 100th career pro point. RW Scott Glennie is 6 GP away from his 100th career pro game and 7 GP away from his 100th career AHL game. LW Mike Hedden is 10 GP shy of his 250th career pro game. RW Tomas Vincour is 10 GP shy of his 200th career pro game.
Stars Week 21 Transactions
March 1 – ADD – Tom Wandell (C) – Loaned from Dallas (NHL).
March 1 – DELETE – Tom Wandell (C) – Recalled from conditioning loan by Dallas (NHL).
February 28 – ADD – Matt Fraser (LW) – Returned on loan from Dallas (NHL).
February 28 – DELETE – Tyler Beskorowany (G) – Reassigned by Dallas (NHL) to Idaho (ECHL).
February 27 – ADD – Cristopher Nilstorp (G) – Returned on loan from Dallas (NHL).
February 26 – ADD – Doug Jones (RW) – Signed PTO, called up from Gwinnett (ECHL).
February 26 – ADD – Gord Baldwin (D) – Released from PTO and signed an SPC.
February 25 – DELETE – Austin Smith (RW) – Reassigned by Dallas (NHL) to Idaho (ECHL).
February 25 – ADD – Carl Sneep (D) – Returned on loan from Dallas (NHL).
February 25 – ADD – Jacob Johnston (D) – Signed ATO, called up from Dalhousie (AUS).
Texas Stars Team Leaders:
Games Played: Toby Petersen (56)
Goals: Matt Fraser (26)
Assists: Jamie Oleksiak (23)
Points: Matt Fraser (37)
Plus/Minus: Jamie Oleksiak (+20)
Penalty Minutes: Antoine Roussel (107)
Power Play Goals: Matt Fraser (13)
Short Handed Goals: Colton Sceviour (3)
Game-Winning Goals: Colton Sceviour (4)
Shots: Matt Fraser (156)
Shooting Percentage: Matt Fraser, Scott Glennie & Justin Dowling (16.7%)
Saves: Cristopher Nilstorp (680)
Wins: Cristopher Nilstorp (17)
GAA: Cristopher Nilstorp (2.22)
Save Percentage: Richard Bachman (0.916)
Shutouts: Cristopher Nilstorp (4)
The Stars continue their five-game home stand on Tuesday, March 8th when they host the Chicago Wolves at 7:30 p.m. for another H-E-B night at Cedar Park Center. Pro-rated full and partial 2012-13 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.