Stars Return Home to Host Division Leaders

Dec 7, 2011

Cedar Park, TX – The Texas Stars traded wins with the Charlotte Checkers last week, starting with a 3-2 loss on Wednesday at the Time Warner Cable Arena. On Saturday night, the Stars countered with a 4-2 decision over the Checkers, ending their five-game winning streak.

This Week’s Games
Texas returns home on Friday, December 9th to face Charlotte at 7:30 p.m. As part of Sing for Santa, local schools will be caroling throughout the evening. Farmers Insurance will present a Texas Stars insulated lunch bag to the first 2,500 fans at the game. Friday is also 3-2-1 night featuring $3 domestic drafts, $2 sodas and $1 hot dogs. The Stars continue Sing for Santa weekend on Saturday, December 10th with the Oklahoma City Barons at 7:00 p.m. at Cedar Park Center. The first 2,500 fans receive a Texas Stars knit cap, compliments of University Federal Credit Union. Also, fans may purchase the State Farm Family Four Pack, which includes four hot dogs, four sodas and four tickets starting at $48.

Week of Dec. 6th – Dec. 12th
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Practice: 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Cedar Park Center
Wednesday, Dec. 7
Practice: 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Chaparral Ice
Thursday, Dec. 8
Practice: 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Cedar Park Center
Friday, Dec. 8
Skate: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at CPC
Game vs. Charlotte at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Skate: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at CPC
Game vs. Oklahoma City at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Off Day
Monday, Dec. 12
Practice: 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Cedar Park Center

Game Recaps
Texas 2 at Charlotte 3 11/30/11
The Texas Stars were defeated by the Charlotte Checkers 3-2 in front of 3,839 fans at Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday night. Checkers forward Jon Matsumoto scored near the halfway point of the game and the team held on for its fifth straight win. Charlotte goalie Mike Murphy stopped 25 of the 27 Texas shots, including all 13 in the final period of play. Forwards Zac Dalpe and Brett Sutter also scored for Charlotte. Texas defenseman Jordie Benn and left wing Luke Gazdic each scored in the loss. Texas goalie Tyler Beskorowany stopped 21 of 24 shots in the defeat.

Stars Superlatives
Forwards Travis Morin, Raymond Sawada and Matt Fraser lead Texas in scoring through the team’s first 21 games of the season. Morin is the clubhouse leader with 16 assists and 20 points in 21 games played. He ranks in the top ten of the AHL for assists and he is among the AHL leaders with ten power-play helpers. He has an assist in four straight road games. Sawada is tied for second overall in team scoring with five goals and ten assists for 15 points in 21 games played. Rookie forward Matt Fraser is tied for second with 15 points in 21 games. He leads the team with ten goals scored and 85 shots on net. Fraser is among the AHL leaders with seven power-play goals.

Rookie forward Scott Glennie had a three-game scoring streak snapped last Wednesday in Charlotte. He has six points in his last six games. Left wing Luke Gazdic has a goal in consecutive games, giving him six for the season.

Jordie Benn leads all Texas defensemen in scoring with seven goals and 14 points in 21 games played. He ranks tied for first in goals scored and tied for seventh in points among all AHL defensemen. Benn has a point in five straight games and he has at least a point in eight of the last nine games.

The Stars penalty kill has jumped from 29th (on 11/6) to 13th best in the AHL. Texas has stopped 41 of the last 46 (89.1%), improving from 73.3% to 82.4%

Tickets
Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available online at www.TexasStarsHockey.com or by calling 512.GO.STARS (467.8277). Tickets may also be purchased at the Cedar Park Center box office.