AHL Texas Stars

Stars go for Elimination Today in Chicago

Published on May 9, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


Texas can become the first team to punch its ticket to the Western Conference Finals this afternoon with another victory over Chicago in Game 6 of the West Division Finals. The Stars fell behind 2-1 in the series but won back-to-back games on home ice to take a 3-2 advantage, most recently a 5-3 triumph on Friday night. Rookie Jamie Benn figured into all five goals in that victory, registering a hat trick and adding two assists for a five-point night. Benn's five points tied an AHL postseason high, initially accomplished by Hershey's Chris Bourque on Apr. 29 vs. Albany. Benn, who had been scoreless in three straight games prior to Friday's explosion, paces Texas and ranks tied for fourth in the league with 13 points (7-6-13) in nine playoff games thus far, and his seven goals and 13 points each lead all rookies. Perttu Lindgren posted a goal and an assist for the Stars in Game 5, and Aaron Gagnon rounded out the offense with an empty-net goal. Both Lindgren and Gagnon show three goals and one assist through the first five games of this series. Stars defenseman Andrew Hutchinson has registered a point in six of his last seven outings (3-5-8), and fellow rearguard Dan Jancevski is now riding a three-game scoring streak (1-3-4). Goaltender Brent Krahn set a personal playoff high with 43 saves on 46 shots to pick up the victory in Game 5 for the Stars, and he now ranks third in the AHL in goals-against average (2.28) and fourth in save percentage (.930) in nine postseason appearances (7-2). Anthony Stewart scored a pair of goals for the Wolves on Friday night, giving him five goals and seven points through the first five games of this series after totaling three points - all goals - in Chicago's seven-game division semifinal victory over Milwaukee. Tim Stapleton, who also scored in the losing effort, shows a point in three of his last four games (1-3-4). Wolves forward Jason Krog and defenseman Nathan Oystrick chipped in an assist apiece; Krog is now on a five-game scoring streak (2-4-6), while Oystrick has a point in his last three contests (2-2-4).

West Division Finals Schedule (best of seven)

Game 1 - Texas 4 at Chicago 3 (OT)

Game 2 - Texas 3 at Chicago 4 (OT)

Game 3 - Chicago 5 at Texas 3

Game 4 - Chicago 2 at Texas 3

Game 5 - Chicago 3 at Texas 5 (TEX leads series 3-2)

Game 6 - Sun., May 9 - Texas at Chicago, 3:00 p.m.

Game 7 - Tues., May 11 - Texas at Chicago, 7:00 p.m. -X

X = If Necessary

Hamilton Takes Pivotal Game 5, Leads Series 3-2

The Hamilton Bulldogs scored five unanswered goals, including four goals on six shots in the third period, to take Game 5 of the North Division Finals, 5-2, over the Abbotsford Heat at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre on Saturday night. The Bulldogs will take a 3-2 series lead back home and into Game 6 at Copps Coliseum on Monday. Forward Mike Glumac recorded two goals in the win, while Andre Benoit posted the game-winner. Goalie Curtis Sanford made 30 saves for the Bulldogs in his first appearance since Mar. 27, when he was injured during a game in Abbotsford. It was also Sanford's first playoff start since May 5, 2004 when he was a member of the Worcester IceCats.

Manchester Meets Hershey in Eastern Conference Finals - (best-of-7)

Game 1 - Wed., May 12 - Manchester at Hershey, 7:00

Game 2 - Sat., May 15 - Manchester at Hershey, 7:00

Game 3 - Mon., May 17 - Hershey at Manchester, 7:00

Game 4 - Tue., May 18 - Hershey at Manchester, 7:00

*Game 5 - Thu., May 20 - Hershey at Manchester, 7:00

*Game 6 - Sat., May 22 - Manchester at Hershey, 7:00

*Game 7 - Sun., May 23 - Manchester at Hershey, 5:00

*= If Necessary

SUNDAY'S GAME 5-9-10: Game 6 - Texas at Chicago 3:00 CDT (TEX leads series 3-2)

SATURDAY'S SCORE: Game 5 - Hamilton 5 at Abbotsford 2 (HAM leads series, 3-2)

SERIES SUBPLOTS.......

- Texas is bidding to become the first AHL team to advance to the conference finals in its inaugural season since the 2002-03 Binghamton Senators.

- Texas defenseman Dan Jancevski leads all skaters in the Calder Cup Playoffs with a +10, while teammate Maxime Fortunus is second with a +9.

- Chicago is an impressive 10-4 all-time when facing Calder Cup Playoff elimination and has not been knocked out on home ice since dropping Game 6 of the 2004 West Division Finals to Milwaukee on May 14, 2004.

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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from May 9, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central