AHL Texas Stars

Texas Stars Playoff Update #53

Published on June 5, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


The Texas Stars took on the Hershey Bears on Thursday night and came away with a 2-1 win in Game 1 of the 2010 Calder Cup Finals. The AHL's championship series resumes tonight with Game 2 at Giant Center. Scott McCulloch 's unassisted goal off a Hershey turnover 2:10 into the third period held up as the game-winner as Matt Climie made 12 of his 26 saves in the third. Greg Rallo also scored for Texas, and Aaron Gagnon picked up the lone helper on Rallo's second goal of the postseason. Texas took Game 1 despite the fact that AHL leading goal- and point-scorer Jamie Benn (14-10-24) was held off the scoresheet. Benn remains tied for the AHL rookie playoff record for goals and four points shy of the rookie mark for points. Climie (6-3, 2.47, .925) collected his third straight win, stopping 118 of 123 shots (1.51, .959) over that span. The Stars held a 12-2 shots advantage in a scoreless first period in Game 1, but Hershey outshot Texas 25-14 over the rest of the contest. The Bears grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the second frame when Francois Bouchard connected for his third of the postseason. Bouchard now shows a goal in two of his last three games (2-0-2) after going his previous 12 outings without finding the back of the net. Forward Mathieu Perreault and defenseman Patrick McNeill earned the assists on Bouchard's tally; Perreault has a point in three straight games (0-3-3) and seven of his last nine contests (3-6-9), while McNeill boasts three points (1-2-3) in his last two tilts. Michal Neuvirth (10-3, 2.12, .917) stopped 24 of 26 shots but lost for just the third time in 19 career home playoff starts (16-3, 1.55, .941). Texas has now allowed the game's first goal in 11 consecutive contests but has gone 7-4 in those games. Thursday's loss was the Bears' first in nine home games this postseason and just the second in their last 39 home games overall; including the regular season, the Bears now hold a cumulative home-ice record of 42-5-0-2 for the 2009-10 campaign. Texas (0-for-4 in Game 1) and Hershey (0-for-2) are both an identical 15-for-74 (20.3 percent) on the power play during these playoffs. The Bears are trailing in a series for the first time since losing Game 1 of the 2009 conference finals to Providence. Excluding shootouts, Hershey is 17-3 this season following a loss. The team that wins Game 1 of the Finals has taken the Cup on 56 of 73 previous occasions (76.7 percent), including three straight and 14 of the last 16. Only four teams in AHL history have won the Calder Cup after losing Game 1 at home (Saint John Flames in 2001, Maine Mariners in 1978, Nova Scotia Voyageurs in 1977, Cleveland Barons in 1951). Ten of the last 11 Calder Cup Finals have now opened with a one-goal margin in Game 1.

SERIES SUBPLOTS.......

* Texas has won three straight on the road and five of its last six playoff games.

* Hershey was the last team to win a Calder Cup after losing the Game 1 of the Finals in 2006.

* Four of the last five teams to win the AHL's regular season points title have failed to win the Calder Cup.

Calder Cup Finals Schedule (best of seven)

Game 1 - Texas 2 at Hershey 1 (TEX leads series 1-0)

Game 2 - Sat., June 5 - Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm

Game 3 - Mon., June 7 - Hershey at Texas, 7:30 pm

Game 4 - Wed., June 9 - Hershey at Texas, 7:30 pm

*Game 5 - Fri., June 11 - Hershey at Texas, 7:30 pm

*Game 6 - Mon., June 14 - Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm

*Game 7 - Wed., June 16 - Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm

*if necessary... All times Central

TICKETS TO THE CALDER CUP FINALS AT CEDAR PARK CENTER

To purchase a Calder Cup Finals playoff package, which offers fans the same seat for all three possible home games, fans may call 512-GO-STARS. To rent a suite for a home playoff game or book a group, those interested may call 512-GO-STARS. Individual tickets for playoff games at Cedar Park Center also can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, visiting any Ticketmaster outlet or the Cedar Park Center box office, or online at ticketmaster.com.

WATCH PARTY AT CEDAR PARK CENTER FOR GAME 2 OF THE CALDER CUP FINALS

Fans who want to watch Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals may do so at Cedar Park Center. The Texas Stars will host the watch party inside the bowl of Cedar Park Center. The Austin Diamond District Ice Girls will be on hand, providing numerous giveaways. The game will be broadcast on the four-sided HD video board above center ice and the audio of the radio broadcast will be played through the state-of-the-art sound system. Fans may sit in the Club Section and receive In-seat service for food and beverages.

Admittance and parking to the event are free. The parking lot and doors at Cedar Park Center will open at 5:00 PM with the game starting at 6:00 pm. Cedar Park Center is running food and drink specials for the watch party.

WEAR WHITE and Calder Cup Finals Promotions

The Texas Stars are asking fans to wear WHITE to Cedar Park Center for every home game of the 2010 Calder Cup Finals. For Game 3, the first, 5,000 fans will receive a Texas Stars playoff t-shirt, compliments of State Farm. For Games 4 and 5, the first, 5,000 fans will receive a pair of Texas Stars Thundersticks. Cedar Park Center will provide $2.00 domestic drafts and $1.00 hot dogs for all three home games.

Playoff Format.......

Four rounds, with each round slated as a best of seven series. The top four teams in each division qualify for playoffs. The teams play within their division for the first two rounds. The division winners will meet in the conference finals. The winner of the Western Conference will play the winner of the Eastern Conference for the Calder Cup. In order to take the Calder Cup, a team must win 16 games.

The Calder Cup.......

The coveted Calder Cup has been a motivational force for American Hockey League teams throughout the League's 73-year history. It is one of our sport's greatest challenges and ultimate honors to hoist the Calder Cup in victory.

The trophy is named for Frank Calder, who served as the National Hockey League's first President from 1917 to 1943. During the 1920's, Mr. Calder was instrumental in guiding hockey into the mainstream of America's major cities including Boston, New York, Detroit and Chicago, while helping in the formation of the American League.

The Calder Cup trophy itself was actually first awarded in 1938 to the Providence Reds for winning the second International-American Hockey League championship. (In 1996, George Parsons of the Syracuse Stars was presented the Calder Cup in a ceremony at the Onondaga County War Memorial, as it is believed the Stars never received a trophy for their 1937 championship.

Check out the Texas Stars Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from June 5, 2010


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