AHL Texas Stars

Gameday Preview- Texas at San Antonio

Published on February 26, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


Texas and San Antonio meet for the eighth time this season and 20th time in history. The two teams played a total of 12 times last year with the Stars taking the season series by posting an 8-4-0-0 mark against the Rampage. The Stars have taken five of the seven games of the season series this year. The last meeting was on January 24th, a 3-2 overtime win for Texas at Cedar Park Center. The two teams will meet a total of ten times this year. Texas is 13-5-0-1 all time against San Antonio, including a 5-4-0-0 mark at the AT&T Center, where Texas has four shutouts. The Stars are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at Houston on Friday night. The Rampage fell 3-2 at Oklahoma City on Friday night.

Texas is 16-12-1-1 away from Cedar Park Center this season and 5-4-1-0 in the last ten games. Texas is 9-5-1-1 in its last 16 meetings. The Stars are playing the final contest of eight straight road games, the longest road trip of the season. Texas is 3-3-1-0 on the trip. Of the eight games, the first three were against the North Division and the last five are against the West Division. The Stars are 26-14-2-2 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 12.3 penalty minutes a game. The Stars are 18-2-4-3 in one-goal games this year.

The Rampage returns home from the longest road trip of the season, going 4-5-0-0 during the annual Rodeo road trip. The nine-game, 22-day journey extended 10,710 miles with stops in Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Manitoba, Syracuse, Hamilton and Toronto. They dropped the last three games of the trip prior to heading home. San Antonio is 17-9-0-0 at home this year and 5-5-0-0 in the last ten games played. The Rampage are 5-0 in shootouts this season and have a 21-17-2-0 record against the West Division. The Rampage have scored the first goal of the game 20 times this season, the lowest total in the AHL. They have been outscored 63-45 in the first period of play, but have outscored their opponents 58-42 in the second period of play this season. San Antonio has allowed ten shorthanded goals this year, one of the highest totals in the league.

Through the first seven games of the series, right wing Greg Rallo leads all scorers with seven points and four goals. Texas center Travis Morin is second with five points off two goals and three assists. Stars left wing Scott McCulloch has three goals and four points in two games against San Antonio. Texas forwards Aaron Gagnon and Francis Wathier, as well defenseman Philip Larsen, each have four points in the season series. San Antonio center Andrew Ebbett and winger Mikkel Boedker leads the Rampage with four points each in six games against the Stars. Former Star Garrett Stafford has three points in four games against his old team. Also, former Stars right wing Mathieu Beaudoin has two goals in five games against his former team.

Texas goalie Richard Bachman is 3-1-1 with a 1.97 goals against average and a .931 save percentage with a shutout. Former Texas goalie, Matt Climie is 2-4-0 with a 2.63 goals against average and a .919 save percentage for San Antonio.

Jerrard Hits 700

Texas Stars Assistant Coach Paul Jerrard will coach 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). He is the only bench coach in pro hockey that is of African American descent.

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

Saturday, Feb. 26 at San Antonio 7:00 PM 104.9 FM

Sunday, Feb. 27 vs. Oklahoma City 5:00 PM 104.9 FM

Tuesday, Mar. 1 vs. Abbotsford 7:30 PM 1530 AM

Friday, Mar. 4 vs. San Antonio 7:30 PM 104.9 FM

GAME RECAPS:

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.

Texas 2 at Milwaukee 1 2/20/11

The Texas Stars defeated the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 on Sunday night in front of 4,822 fans at the Bradley Center. One day after getting recalled from Idaho of the ECHL, rookie goalie Tyler Beskorowany made 34 saves to give the Stars the win and pull within one point of first place in the AHL's West Division. Right wing Sean Backman scored the game-winning goal and Mathieu Tousignant also added a tally as the Stars improved to 16-11-0-1 on the road this season. Stars defenseman Dan Spang and forward Brandon Segal each had two assists as Texas won its third straight game. Admirals' goalie Mark Dekanich stopped 22 shots in the loss.

The Texas Stars

After 59 games of action, right wing Greg Rallo leads the team lead in points with 36 (17g-19a) in 59 games played. Ralllo also leads the team with 17 goals and 174 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 nine games with an injury. Dan Spang is third overall on the team with 30 points. He leads the team lead in assists (22), as well as all defensemen in goals (8) and shots on goal (128). Colton Sceviour is sixth on the team with 18 assists and fourth with 29 points in 57 games played. Left wing Francis Wathier is second on the team with 15 goals and 139 shots in 50 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 31 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 1.70 goals against average and stopped 250 of 262 shots (.954 %) in his last eight appearances (5-2-0) with Texas this year. Overall, Beskorowany is 5-4-0 with a 2.37 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.

The San Antonio Rampage

San Antonio starts its first full season with Ray Edwards as head coach, who took over for Greg Ireland 18 games into last season. Edwards went on to post a 30-23-0-9 record in the final 62 games of the year.

The Rampage are without three of the teams top five scorers, including leading scorer Brett MacLean. Center Andrew Ebbett and left wing Mikkel Boedker are with MacLean on recall to the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. MacLean had a team-high 23 goals and 49 points in 50 games played. Ebbett was second on the team with 38 points in 37 games played, including a team-high 27 helpers. Boedker had 22 assists and 34 points in 36 games played.

Two former Texas Stars are the active leaders among Rampage skaters. Right wing Mathieu Beaudoin has 14 goals and 37 points in 41 games played. Defenseman Garrett Stafford is the clubhouse leader with 25 assists and is second on the squad with 36 points in 46 games played. The former Star is 11th among all AHL defenseman in scoring. Left wing Alexandre Picard leads all skaters with 19 goals and sits third with 33 points in 37 games played.

In net, the Rampage pair Matt Climie and Joe Fallon. Climie went 21-17-3 with a 2.46 goals against average and a .919 save percentage in 43 games with Texas in 2009-10. Climie is 20-16-0 with a 2.49 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He has three shutouts and is a perfect 4-0 in shootouts this year. Fallon is 2-1-0 with a 2.27 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

Special Teams

After finishing second overall last season on the penalty kill, the Stars rank 27th overall at 77.4%. Texas sits 16th in the AHL, converting 17.5% of its power plays. San Antonio is second overall on the power play, converting 22.5% of the time. San Antonio is 25th in the AHL on the penalty kill, stopping 78.4% of its opponents' power plays.

Offense and Defense

The Texas Stars are ninth overall in team defense, allowing 2.67 goals against per game. Texas is ranked 18th out of 30 teams, scoring an average of 2.74 goals per game. San Antonio's defense ranks 17th overall with a 2.89 goals against per game. The Rampage sits ninth offensively, averaging 3.11 goals per game.

Check out the Texas Stars Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2011


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