Gameday Preview - Oklahoma City at Texas
Published on February 27, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release
Texas and Oklahoma City meet for the eighth time this season. Texas has taken the last six games of the series, including the last meeting on Feb. 5 at the Cedar Park Center, a 3-0 win for the Stars. The Barons have dropped the last six games (0-4-0-2) of the series. The teams will play a total of ten times this year, including two more games at Cedar Park Center. Texas is coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at San Antonio. The Barons dropped a 5-0 decision at home to Houston on Saturday evening.
Texas is 16-8-3-2 at Cedar Park Center this season and 5-3-1-1 in the last ten games. Texas is 9-5-1-2 in its last 17 meetings. The Stars wrapped up a season-long eight-game road trip on Saturday in San Antonio. The Stars posted a 3-3-1-1 away from home. Sunday marks the team's third game in as many nights. Of the eight games, the first three were against the North Division and the last five are against the West Division. The Stars are 26-14-2-3 against the West Division this season and 6-6-2-1 against the North Division this season. Texas is the least penalized team in the league accruing 12.2 penalty minutes a game. The Stars are 18-2-4-4 in one-goal games this year.
Oklahoma City is 17-8-0-1 on the road this year and 6-4-0-0 in the last ten games played. The Barons have been outscored 103-94 on home ice, but have outscored their opponents 86-66 in the road this season. Oklahoma City has scored the first goal 31 times in 59 games played, posting a 20-8-1-2 mark when opening the scoring. The Barons are 20-16-2-4 against West Division opponents. Oklahoma City has outscored its opponents 61-44 in the second period of play this season. When leading after two periods of play, the Barons are 20-0-0-2.
Four skaters are tied for the series lead in points with five each. Texas forwards Colton Sceviour, Greg Rallo, Francis Wathier and Travis Morin each have five points in the series. Oklahoma City center Brad Moran also has five points in the season series. Sceviour and Moran are tied for the series lead with three goals each. Rallo and Wathier represent Texas in the series lead with three assists each. Barons Alexandre Giroux, Jeff Petry and Shawn Belle are tied for the series lead with three assists apiece. Stars goalie Richard Bachman is 6-0-0 with a 1.69 goals against average and a .943 save percentage. Bachman has stopped 182 of 190 Barons shots in five appearances. Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers is 0-3-1 with a 2.98 goals against average and a .912 save percentage in four games against Texas. Barons goalie Martin Gerber is 1-1-1 with a 2.27 goals against average and a .931 save percentage.
Jerrard Hits 700
Texas Stars Assistant Coach Paul Jerrard coached his 700th AHL game behind the bench in San Antonio on Saturday night. In his ninth season as an assistant, Jerrard has spent time with Texas, Iowa (05-09), Hershey (03-05) and Lowell (98-99). He has helped his teams to a 334-285-80 mark (.534).
Dallas Assigns Sawada, LeMay Reassigned to Idaho
Prior to Friday's game, the Dallas Stars announced that the club has activated right wing Raymond Sawada from injured reserve and has assigned him to the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). In a separate move, the Texas Stars reassigned goalie Adrien LeMay from the Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League and to the Idaho Steelheads, Texas' ECHL affiliate.
Sawada, 26, injured his shoulder Feb. 3rd at Boston and has missed the last nine games. He has played in 36 games for Texas this season, collecting 17 points (7g, 10a). Sawada has appeared in 11 NHL games in his career, all with Dallas, tallying one goal. Last season the 6-2, 207-pound right wing helped the Texas Stars reach the Calder Cup Finals in the club's inaugural season, accruing eight points (3g, 5a) in 24 playoff games an 19 points (8g, 11a) in 60 regular season games. The Richmond, British Columbia, native was selected in the second round (52nd overall) at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
LeMay will go to the Idaho Steelheads after spending time in the CHL with the Allen Americans and the Quad City Mallards. In 20 games for the Americans this year, LeMay went 12-4-1 with a 3.31 goals against average and a .887 save percentage. LeMay dressed, but did not play during his short stint with the Mallards.
Dallas Assigns Gagnon, Texas Releases Mouilliert
Prior to Wednesday's game, the Dallas Stars assigned center Aaron Gagnon to the Texas Stars, Dallas' AHL Affiliate. The Texas Stars also announced that forward Kael Mouillierat has been released from a PTO (professional tryout agreement).
Gagnon, 24, has appeared in 19 games for Dallas this season, recording two assists, including his first NHL point (Dec. 6 at Columbus). The 5-11, 186-pound center has skated in 37 games for Texas, collecting 19 points (11g, 8a). Gagnon led the Texas Stars in scoring in 2009-10 with 58 points (27g, 31a) through 77 games. The Quesnel, British Columbia, native was signed by Dallas as a free agent February 2, 2007.
Mouillierat played in six games for Texas over his recall, setting up a pair of goals for two points. In 44 games with Idaho this season, Mouillierat scored 17 goals and assisted on 28 others for a total of 44 points. The rookie forward is expected to rejoin the Steelheads, Texas' ECHL affiliate.
Dallas Assigns Defenseman Trevor Ludwig
Prior to Sunday's game, the Dallas Stars announced that the club has assigned defenseman Trevor Ludwig to the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Ludwig, 25, was recalled by Dallas on February 15 but he did not appear in an NHL game. He has played in 52 AHL games this season with Texas and has recorded six assists and 52 penalty minutes.
What's Ahead: * All times listed are central time
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV/RADIO
Tuesday, Mar. 1 vs. Abbotsford 7:30 PM 1530 AM
Friday, Mar. 4 vs. San Antonio 7:30 PM 1530 AM
Saturday, Mar. 5 vs. Houston 7:00 PM 104.9 FM
GAME RECAPS:
Texas 2 at San Antonio 3 SO 2/26/11
The Texas Stars were defeated by the San Antonio Rampage 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday night in front of 10,447 fans at the AT&T Center. The Rampage trailed 2-0 in the first two rounds of the shootout, but managed three shootout goals in the last five attempts to nip the Stars in the extra session. Forward Luke Gazdic and defenseman Dan Spang each scored regulation goals as Texas finished its eight-game road trip at 3-3-1-1. San Antonio goalie Matt Climie (21-16-0) stopped 24 of 26 in regulation and five of seven shootout attempts for the victory. Texas goalie Tyler Beskorowany (5-4-1) made 29 saves in regulation and stopped four of seven attempts in the shootout defeat.
Texas 3 at Houston 4 OT 2/25/11
The Texas Stars were defeated by the Houston Aeros 4-3 in overtime on Friday night in front of 7,582 fans at the Toyota Center. Center Casey Wellman scored 29 seconds into overtime to give the Aeros their ninth win of the season over Texas in ten meetings. Defenseman Jordie Benn gave Texas a 3-2 lead halfway through the period, as Texas still gained a spot in the standings with the OT loss. Stars forwards Luke Gazdic and Francis Wathier each had a goal as the team fell to 16-12-1-1 on the road this season. Houston goalie Anton Khudobin (19-11-1) stopped 33 of 36 Texas shots for the win. Texas goalie Richard Bachman (21-14-3) made 40 saves in the defeat.
Texas 2 at Peoria 5 2/23/11
Peoria, IL - The Texas Stars were defeated by the Peoria Rivermen 5-2 on Wednesday night in front of 3,486 fans at Carver Arena. Peoria defenseman Brennan Evans registered his first pro hat trick to lead the way for the Rivermen. Peoria goalie Jake Allen stopped 27 of 29 Texas shots to end the Stars three-game winning streak. Stars defenseman Maxime Fortunus and forward Ondrej Roman each scored in the loss, as Texas fell to 3-3-0-0 on the current eight-game road trip. Forward Brandon Segal had two assists as the Stars dipped to 16-12-0-1 on the road this season. Texas goalie Richard Bachman suffered the loss with 16 saves on 21 shots in two periods of work.
The Texas Stars
After 60 games of action, right wing Greg Rallo leads the team lead in points with 36 (17g-19a) in 60 games played. Ralllo also leads the team with 17 goals and 178 shots on net. Center Travis Morin is second for Texas in scoring with 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 48 games played. Morin has missed the last ten games with an injury. Dan Spang is third overall on the team with 31 points. He leads the team lead in assists (22), as well as all defensemen in goals (9) and shots on goal (130). Colton Sceviour is sixth on the team with 18 assists and fourth with 29 points in 58 games played. Left wing Francis Wathier is second on the team with 15 goals and 139 shots in 51 games played. Defenseman Brad Lukowich is second on the team lead with 21 assists. Forwards Mathieu Tousignant and Luke Gazdic are tied for the team lead with 86 penalty minutes each.
Texas Stars goalies Richard Bachman and Tyler Beskorowany fill the net for the Stars. Bachman has appeared in 40 games, going 21-14-3 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Bachman ranks in the top ten in the AHL for goals against average and save percentage. Bachman has started 25 of the last 32 games. Krahn has appeared in 12 games, posting a 6-6-0 mark, a 3.20 goals against average and a .895 save percentage. Krahn is out with an injury. Beskorowany has posted a 1.68 goals against average and stopped 279 of 293 shots (.952 %) in his last nine appearances (5-2-1) with Texas this year. Overall, Beskorowany is 5-4-1 with a 2.32 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.
The Oklahoma City Barons
The Oklahoma City Barons are the AHL Affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. Head Coach Todd Nelson is the first coach in team history, guiding the club in its inaugural season. Nelson spent the last two years as an assistant coach with the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers prior to his first head coaching job in the AHL.
Left wing Alexandre Giroux leads the Barons in scoring with 34 assists and 29 goals for 63 points in 59 games played. He is second in the AHL in points and tied for second in goals scored. Giroux spent the last four years with the Hershey, winning two Calder Cups and making three Finals appearances. Giroux led the AHL in goals scored the last two seasons.
Former Hershey teammate Bryan Helmer joined the Barons on January 7th. In his first 22 games with the Barons, Helmer has ten assists and 14 points. Helmer is the AHL's all-time points leader among blueliners and he recently became the seventh player in league history to play in 1,000 games. Helmer played with Giroux in Hershey the last two seasons, winning Calder Cups with the Bears in 2009 and 2010. Helmer was also a Calder Cup champion with Albany in 1995.
Colin MacDonald is second on the team with a career-high 24 goals in 59 games played. Center Brad Moran is second on the team in scoring with 50 points on 17 goals and 33 assists. Rookie Jeff Petry has seven goals and 24 points in 37 games played.
In net, the Barons feature goalies Bryan Pitton and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers. Martin Gerber is on recall to the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. Fellow tender, Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers is a second-round pick (#31 overall) of Edmonton in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Drouin-Deslauriers played in 48 games for Edmonton last season, going 16-28-4 with a 3.26 goals against average and a .900 save percentage. Drouin-Deslauriers is 10-10-2 this year, sporting a 3.01 goals against average and an .899 save percentage. Pitton has appeared in four games, going 2-1-0 with a 2.74 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. He has spent the majority of the year with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL.
Special Teams
After finishing second overall last season on the penalty kill, the Stars rank 27th overall at 77.6%. Texas sits 17th in the AHL, converting 17.3% of its power plays. The Barons are 15th overall on the power play, converting 17.8% of the time. Oklahoma City is fifth in the AHL on the penalty kill, stopping 85.0% of its opponents' power plays. Texas is 6-for-33 on the power play against Oklahoma City, while the Barons are 5-for-27 against the Stars.
Offense and Defense
The Texas Stars are tenth overall in team defense, allowing 2.70 goals against per game. Texas is ranked 19th out of 30 teams, scoring an average of 2.73 goals per game. Oklahoma City's defense ranks 16th overall with a 2.86 goals against per game. The Barons sit 11th offensively, averaging 3.05 goals per game.
American Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2011
- Barons Snip Stars 3-2 In A Shootout - Texas Stars
- Hogs Hang on in Houston, Win Third Straight - Rockford IceHogs
- Whale Release Francis Lemieux, Alexandre Imbeault from PTOs - Connecticut Whale
- Bears Claw Past Sound Tigers 3-2 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Pyett Powers Griffins in 5-2 Win Over Bulldogs - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Five Different Phantoms Score in 5-2 Home Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- Admirals Move into a Fourth-Place Tie with 4-3 Come from Behind Victory - Norfolk Admirals
- Henrique's Three Points Not Enough as Devils Lose - Albany Devils
- Playoff Push Update - Falcons Fall Just Short in Wilkes-Barre - Springfield Falcons
- Bulldogs Defeated 5-2 by Griffins - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Monarchs Done in by McGinn - Manchester Monarchs
- Ellerby's Overtime Tally Lifts Amerks Over Crunch - Rochester Americans
- Sharks Defeat Division Leader Manchester 5-2 - Worcester Sharks
- Crunch Edged in OT by Rochester, 2-1 - Syracuse Crunch
- Moose Shut Down Marlies 1-0 - Manitoba Moose
- Gustafsson Returned to Adirondack - Adirondack Phantoms
- Sound Tigers Recall Justin Taylor - Bridgeport Islanders
- Capitals Assign Todd Ford to Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Moose Recall Shantz & Release Mike Mole from PTO - Manitoba Moose
- Senators Re-Assign Greening, Locke and Wick to Binghamton - Binghamton Senators
- Gameday Preview - Oklahoma City at Texas - Texas Stars
- Game Day: Amerks Host Neighbors from the East at Blue Cross Arena - Rochester Americans
- B-Sens Release Alex Petizian, Sign Garrett Zemlak - Binghamton Senators
- Peter Delmas Recalled to Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Peter Delmas Recalled to Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- B's Sign Shane Hnidy To One Year Contract, Kirk MacDonald To NHL Contract - Providence Bruins
- Monsters bounce back - Cleveland Monsters
- Heat Stuff Bruins 6-2 - Abbotsford Heat
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