Texas Clinches Playoff Spot With 3-2 Win In Milwaukee
Published on April 8, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release
Milwaukee, WI - The Texas Stars (41-27-4-6, 92 points) defeated the Milwaukee Admirals (42-22-6-8, 98 points) 3-2 on Friday night in front of 5,893 fans at the Bradley Center. Center Travis Morin scored two goals, including the eventual game-winning goal with 3:19 left in regulation to lead the Stars to victory. Texas goalie Richard Bachman (28-18-5) stopped 30 shots in the win, as the Stars clinched a spot in the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs. Right wing Raymond Sawada had a goal and an assist, as Texas ended a three-game slide. Milwaukee defenseman Grant Lewis had a goal and an assist as the Admirals dropped their third straight decision and failed to clinch the West Division. Milwaukee goalie Jeremy Smith (15-8-2) made 20 saves in the defeat. The Stars return home for Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday for a 7:00 PM meeting with the Oklahoma City Barons in the final regular season home game of the year.
Texas opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period. Right wing Raymond Sawada redirected a shot from the blueline by defenseman Jordie Benn at 3:05 of the opening period. Fellow defender Philip Larsen also had an assist on Sawada's 11th goal of the year and a 1-0 Stars lead.
The Stars snagged the only goal of the second period to claim a 2-0 lead at 7:09 of the middle session. Texas cashed in on its first power play of the night as Travis Morin swatted in the puck for his 20th goal of the season. Sawada and center Aaron Gagnon each had an assist on the team's second goal of the night.
In the third period, the Admirals pulled within a goal at 6:18 as defenseman Grant Lewis scored his eighth goal of the season. The unassisted goal cut the Stars lead in half at 2-1. Texas sealed the victory with 3:19 left in regulation, as Travis Morin put in a rebound off a Greg Rallo shot. Morin's second goal of the night helped Texas regain its two-goal cushion at 3-1. The Admirals pulled back within a goal in the last minute off a power-play goal at 19:32. Mike Bartlett put in a rebound, his sixth goal of the year, trimming the Texas lead to 3-2.
Texas returns home to play its final regular season home game on Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 PM against the Oklahoma City Barons. Saturday night is Fan Appreciation Night as well as State Farm Family Four Pack night. Fans may purchase four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $44. The Stars travel to San Antonio for their final regular season game against the Rampage on Sunday, April 10 at 4:30 PM. The Stars will host a Watch Party for the final game of the year on Sunday at the Hooters Round Rock location starting at 3:30 pm.
Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available online at www.TexasStarsHockey.com or by calling 512.GO.STARS (467.8277). 2011-12 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.
American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2011
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- Rivermen Clinch Playoff Spot With 5-2 Win - Peoria Rivermen
- Admirals Fall to Stars 3-2 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Three Goal Second Period Helps IceHogs Edge Monsters 4-2 - Rockford IceHogs
- Heat Blast Griffins in Home Finale - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rampage fall to Barons - San Antonio Rampage
- Whale win over Sound Tigers - Connecticut Whale
- Falcons Blank Devils 6-0 - York Records First AHL Shutout - Springfield Falcons
- Whale defeats Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Phantastic Finale - Manchester Monarchs
- Moose Dogged by Hamilton 6-3 - Manitoba Moose
- B-Sens Double Up Amerks, 4-2 - Rochester Americans
- Texas Clinches Playoff Spot With 3-2 Win In Milwaukee - Texas Stars
- Wolves Dismantled By Rivermen, 5-2 - Chicago Wolves
- Charlotte To Face Hershey In East Division Semi-finals - Charlotte Checkers
- P-Bruins Commandeer the Pirates 5-4 - Providence Bruins
- Checkers Clinch Third In East With 2-1 Win Over Worcester - Charlotte Checkers
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- No playoffs for Worcester after 2-1 loss in Charlotte - Worcester Sharks
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- Sound Tigers to Hold Silent Auction of 2010-11 Road Jerseys - Bridgeport Islanders
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- Senators Sign Forward Andre Petersson to Entry-Level Contract - Binghamton Senators
- Wild Recalls Bagnall from Aeros - Houston Aeros
- AHL Announces Suspension - AHL
- Senators Sign Forward Pat Cannone to a One-Year Contract - Binghamton Senators
- Pirates Sign Two Forwards - Portland Pirates
- Rangers Recall Zuccarello from Whale - Connecticut Whale
- Corey Locke Named American Hockey League's Most Valuable Player - AHL
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- B-Sens Announce Roster Moves - Binghamton Senators
- Amerks Collide with B-Sens Tonight at Blue Cross Arena - Rochester Americans
- Falcons Host Devils Tonight - Springfield Falcons
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