Texas Stars Weekly Update - Jan. 5, 2016
Jan 5, 2016Stars Return Home this Weekend from the West Coast
Last week’s record: 2-1-0-1
Overall record: 17-14-2-3, .531 Win Pct. (6th, Pacific Division)
CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars close out their West Coast road trip on Tuesday against Ontario before returning home for a pair of home games this weekend.
-- THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE --
January 5 at Ontario Reign, 9 p.m. CST:
The AHL’s past two Calder Cup Champions hook up for the second time this season, but the first in California. Ontario took the prior matchup on Nov. 21 at Cedar Park Center by a 7-6 final. The Reign are led by goaltender Peter Budaj, who is one of the AHL’s best with a 1.68 goals against average (1st) and a .930 save percentage (4th).
January 8, 7:30 p.m. CST and January 9, 7 p.m. CST vs. Chicago Wolves:
Texas and Chicago face off in a weekend pair of games to close out their four-game regular season series. The Stars have split their previous two matchups against the Wolves, both in Chicago. Greg Rallo leads the Stars with three goals against the Wolves this season.
-- LAST WEEK’S RESULTS --
December 29 vs. San Antonio Rampage, 5-4 (OT) Win:
Greg Rallo’s one-time blast was the finishing touch on a 5-4 overtime win for the Texas Stars over the rival San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday night in front of 4,752 in attendance at Cedar Park Center to close out a three-game set between the two clubs. The game-winner was Rallo’s eighth power play goal of the season and 11th overall. Travis Morin set up Rallo for the assist and finished with a four-point game.
December 31 vs. San Diego Gulls, 6-1 Win:
The Texas Stars offense opened up a 3-0 first period lead and never looked back in a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Gulls in front of 4,387 fans at Cedar Park Center on New Year’s Eve. Gemel Smith scored twice for the Stars. John Muse earned his ninth win in net with a 26-save performance, and Greg Rallo extended his point streak to seven games with a second period assist.
January 2 at Stockton Heat, 7-6 Shootout Loss:
The Stockton Heat capped off a three-goal comeback effort with a 7-6 shootout win over the Texas Stars on Saturday night at Stockton Arena to begin a three-game road trip for the Stars. Brendan Ranford tallied two goals for the Stars and Greg Rallo extended his point streak to eight games with a first period assist. Turner Elson scored the shootout-winner for the Heat. Texas is on a four-game point streak (3-0-0-1) and also tallied a power play goal for the fifth straight game.
January 3 at San Jose Barracuda, 5-1 Loss:
Nikolay Goldobin netted the hat trick to lead the San Jose Barracuda to a 5-1 win over the Texas Stars on Sunday evening at SAP Center. The Stars’ four-game point streak came to an end in the loss. San Jose leaped past Texas to take over third place in the AHL’s Pacific Division in the win. It was also the AHL debut for rookie goaltender Philippe Desrosiers, who made 19 saves for Texas.
-- PRACTICE/TRAVEL SCHEDULE --
Monday: Travel Day
Tuesday: Texas Stars Ontario Reign, 9 p.m. CST
Wednesday: Travel Day
Thursday: TBD
Friday: Texas Stars vs. Chicago Wolves, 7:30 p.m. CST
Saturday: Texas Stars vs. Chicago Wolves, 7 p.m. CST
Sunday: Day off
-- NEWS, NOTES AND UPCOMING MILESTONES –
Travis Morin is currently first in the AHL scoring race with 35 points on the season. Greg Rallo is second in the league with eight power play goals. The Stars are 12-for-47 on the power play (25.5%) over their past 11 games. Sunday’s game at San Jose was the 500th regular season game in franchise history. Historically the Stars are 266-172-33-29 as an AHL franchise. Gemel Smith appeared in his 100th pro game on Sunday at San Jose. Justin Dowling is one game shy of 300 in his pro career.
-- UPCOMING PROMOTIONS --
Texas returns home for a weekend set against the Chicago Wolves beginning on a Fun Food Friday where fans can enjoy $3 specials on hot dogs, chicken tenders and flatbreads, plus $4 specials on Robert Mondavi Private Selection wine.
Friday’s game is also Elvis Presley’s Birthday celebration with the Stars. Fans who dress up as Elvis, who are named Elvis, or who share a January 8 birthday with “The King of Rock ‘N Roll” can receive a free ticket to the game at the Cedar Park Center box office.
The game will feature the music of Elvis as well as games throughout the night. Fans can also visit the Ice Patrol Fan Zone and post pictures to their social media accounts using Elvis-themed props on the team’s TapSnap machine, and pick up an Elvis inspired temporary tattoo.
Specialty food items will be available at the various RS3 storefronts on the concourse throughout the game. Fairlane’s Diner will offer the Elvis Sandwich, a banana with peanut butter and honey on a hot dog bun, as well as the Elvis Milkshake made with banana, peanut butter and honey. Hound Dogs, Jailhouse Brats and Graceland Grillers will also be available.
Saturday, the Stars will hold a Fleece Blanket giveaway, presented by University Federal Credit Union (UFCU). Saturday’s game will also feature Coke Zero Family Four Packs and is a Texas Lottery Lucky Row Night. Fans can purchase four tickets, four soft drinks and four hot dogs beginning at $16 per person, courtesy of Coke Zero. The first Stars player to score will win free scratch off tickets for a lucky row of seats at Cedar Park Center, courtesy of the Texas Lottery.
The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars and currently in their seventh season at Cedar Park Center. Full season, 24-game and 12-game ticket packages for the 2015-16 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com.