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AHL Texas Stars

Texas Ends 10-Day Road Trip with Blowout Win at Iowa

November 6, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


Week 5 Recap:

The Texas Stars struggled to get the results they were looking for through much of their 10-day road trip. The road-weary Stars were 0-3-1-0 over the first four games of the Midwest voyage before salvaging two points with an emphatic win to close out the journey.

Texas began Week 5 with a Wednesday night affair in Milwaukee, their second meeting with the Admirals in five days. For the third straight game the Stars took an early 2-0 lead, but couldn't had on to victory. Colton Sceviour and Brett Ritchie each scored in the first period, but the Admirals rallied in the third period with a goal by Anthony Bitetto at 5:03 and the tying strike from Austin Watson with 5:50 left in regulation. Texas dominated possession in overtime, hemming Milwaukee in its own zone for nearly two straight shifts. With exactly one minute left in the extra session, the Admirals cleared their zone, raced up ice and Mark Van Guilder scored on a rebound to win the game 3-2. The Stars out-shot Milwaukee 35-27 in the game and earned their first point of the road trip.

Texas then drove west and arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, for the first ever franchise meeting between the Stars and the Iowa Wild. Toby Petersen and Francis Wathier both played at Wells Fargo Arena when Dallas' AHL affiliate was located there, playing as the Iowa Stars. Former Texas Stars center Warren Peters was skating for Iowa and there were many familiar faces from the team formerly known as the Houston Aeros, a regular division rival for the Stars. Friday night's game did not go well for Texas. Entering the game with the AHL's best penalty kill, the Stars allowed three power plays to the Wild and fell 4-2. Erik Haula scored his second goal of the night at 1:33 of the second period to give Iowa a 3-0 lead. Texas rallied with a goal from Brandon Ranford late in the second period and a power play strike by Chris Mueller at 6:42 of the third to cut the lead to 3-2. However, the Wild power play ended the Stars' hopes of a comeback when Jason Zucker scored just 2:12 after Texas pulled within one goal.

Saturday night's rematch between the Stars and Wild was a completely different tale. Texas signed goalie Allen York to a PTO Saturday afternoon, calling him up from the Evansville IceMen (ECHL), and gave him the starting nod. The Stars got off the a flying start, out-shooting Iowa 22-4 in the first period and taking the lead on a Matej Stransky power play goal. Chris Mueller doubled the lead with a five-on-three power play goal midway through the second period. Late in the middle frame Texas pulled away as Mike Hedden and Jamie Oleksiak each blasted shots that beat Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper glove-side to put the visitors ahead 4-0. Colton Sceviour capped off the scoring with his team-leading ninth goal of the year at 7:44 of the third period and York stopped all 26 shots he faced to record a 5-0 shutout, the second of his AHL career.

Week 6 Preview:

The Stars are back home at the friendly confines of Cedar Park Center for Stars & Stripes Military Appreciation Weekend, featuring a two-game series against the Milwaukee Admirals. Texas will wear special Stars & Stripes jerseys for the weekend and the Texas Stars Foundation will auction off the game-worn jerseys. The silent auction runs from the beginning of Friday's game through the end of the second intermission on Saturday night.

The festivities begin on Friday night as the Stars welcome the Milwaukee Admirals for a 7:30 p.m. face off. Brigadier General Clark W. LeMasters, Jr., the Commanding General of the 13th Sustainment Command at Fort Hood, will be at Cedar Park Center to perform the ceremonial puck drop. Friday is also a $3 Draft Beer & $4 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Wine Night and ABC Home & Commercial Services will be giving out reusable shopping totes

Saturday, November 9th is Stars & Stripes T-shirt giveaway night presented by Sport Clips as Texas once again battles Milwaukee, this time at 7:00 p.m. The Austin Astronomical Society and Austin Planetarium will be hosting a Star Party, providing public star gazing outside the Cedar Park Center's main entrance from 5:30 p.m. until the game ends. Saturday's game is also a Coke Zero Family Four Pack Night, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for as little as $48, and a Texas Lottery Lucky Row Night, where one row of fans will win scratch off tickets courtesy of Texas Lottery when the first Stars player scores a goal.

Throughout the weekend fans can get a mystery puck at the Texas Stars Foundation table. For each $20 donation to the Foundation, fans will receive their choice of a Stars mystery puck. Each puck has been signed by one or more Texas Stars players and only after the puck has been selected and unwrapped will the mystery be revealed.

Center Travis Morin (8-12-20) leads the AHL in assists, is tied for the league lead in points, is tied for third in the league in plus-minus (+10) and has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) and a +3 rating in his last five games. Left wing Mike Hedden (3-3-6) is currently on a four-game point streak, with four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and a +2 rating during that span. Center Chris Mueller (6-6-12) leads the team in power play goals (4), is tied for 12th in the AHL in points and has four points (3 goals, 1 assist) and a +1 rating in his last four games. Right wing Colton Sceviour (9-5-14) leads the AHL in shots (59), leads the team and is third in the league in goals, is tied for fifth in the league in points and has three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and a +1 rating in his last three games.

Week 6 Schedule:

(All games are broadcast LIVE over the Internet at www.TexasStarsHockey.com and the free radio button of www.ahllive.com and can be viewed via internet pay-per-view video on www.ahllive.com. All times listed in Central Time)

Friday, November 8 - 7:30 p.m. - Cedar Park Center - Cedar Park, TX

vs. Milwaukee Admirals (6-0-2-0, 14 pts.)

Third Place, Midwest Division

&

Saturday, November 9 - 7:00 p.m. - Cedar Park Center - Cedar Park, TX

vs. Milwaukee Admirals (6-0-2-0, 14 pts.)

Third Place, Midwest Division

Team Notes: The Milwaukee Admirals are currently riding a four-game winning streak and an eight-game point streak (6-0-2-0). The Admirals are the only team remaining in the AHL this year without a regulation loss and have the AHL's best point percentage (0.875). Milwaukee has beaten Texas in both meetings so far this season, both at BMO Harris Bradley Center. D Bryan Rodney received a two-game AHL suspension for an illegal check to the head against Stars center Travis Morin during the October 26th game at Milwaukee; Rodney returned to the lineup on November 3rd at Iowa and scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in a 5-2 Admirals victory. Milwaukee is tied for the second-fewest games played so far this season (8), trailing only the Worcester Sharks (7). On Tuesday, the Nashville Predators swapped goalies with the Admirals, returning Magnus Hellberg to Milwaukee and calling up rookie Marek Mazanec. Hellberg is 1-2-0 this year with the Admirals, with both his losses coming in overtime; he made his NHL debut with Nashville on October 26th vs. St. Louis, playing 12 minutes in relief and allowing one goal on four shots. Mazanec is a perfect 5-0-0 to start his AHL career and is tied for fifth in the league with a 1.97 goals-against average. Friday's game will mark the return of former Stars forward Mathieu Tousignant, who will play at Cedar Park Center for the first time in his career in a non-Texas uniform. Milwaukee ranks second in the AHL in goals-against (2.13), with Texas following in third (2.25). Anthony Bitetto, who leads the team in points (8), is on a five-game penalty minute streak with 18 PIMs during that span. The Admirals have been out-scored 9-4 in the first period so far this season, but have out-scored their opponents 19-6 combined in the second and third periods.Leading Scorer: Anthony Bitetto (D) - 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) and a -2 in 8 GP.Leading Goaltender: Marek Mazanec (G) - 1.97 GAA, 0.933 save pct., 5-0-0, 0 SO in 5 GP.Who's Hot: C Mark Van Guilder (2-4-6) is tied for second on the team in points and has six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and a +4 rating in his last four games. D Anthony Bitetto (4-4-8) leads the team in points, is tied for the team lead in goals and has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and a +1 rating in his last four games. RW Joonas Rask (0-5-5) leads the team in assists and plus-minus (+5), is tied for fourth in points and is currently on a four-game assist streak, recording five assists and a +4 rating during that span.

Week 5 Game Results:

October 30, 2013 Texas 2 @ Milwaukee 3 - OT

November 1, 2013 Texas 2 @ Iowa 4

November 2, 2013 Texas 5 @ Iowa 0

Stars Player of the Week: (Week 5)

Mike Hedden - LW - #26 3 GP, 3 points (1 G, 2 A), +1, 4 PIMs

Left wing Mike Hedden is starting heat up for the Texas Stars as the second month of the season begins. The Unionville, Ontario native had points in all three games in Week 5, extending his current point streak to four games (1 goal, 3 assists). Hedden began the week with an assist on Brett Ritchie's first period goal, which helped the Stars earn a point in a 3-2 overtime loss at Milwaukee. He executed a stunning cross-ice pass to set up Chris Mueller's back-door power play goal on Friday night at Iowa to extend his assist-streak to three games. Hedden then scored his third goal of the season on Saturday against the Wild, combining with rookie Brandon Ranford for the team's third goal in a 5-0 blowout of Iowa. On the season Hedden ranks sixth on Texas in points (6) and is third in penalty minutes (15).

Stars Quick Hits:

- A HISTORICAL FIRST - Allen York became the first player in Texas Stars history to wear the No. 35 jersey in a regular season AHL game when he started Saturday's game at Iowa. York stopped all 26 shots he faced in the 5-0 win over the Wild for his second career AHL shutout. Prior to Saturday, seven different players had dressed in the No. 35, but had only served as the backup goalie and didn't see any ice time. The list includes: Charlie Effinger, Chris Whitley, Joel Paprocki, Adrien LeMay, Jimmy Spratt, Billy Sias and Derek Hender.

- THE STREAK IS OVER - Travis Morin's 17-game regular season AHL point streak came to an end Saturday night at Iowa. It was the first time since April 5, 2013 that Morin had not tallied at least one point in a regular season game. Morin had 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) during that span, including his first 10 games played of the 2013-14 season.

- PENALTY KILL STREAK ENDS - The Texas Stars had their penalty kill streak ended on Sunday, October 27th at Rockford. However, heading into last Friday's game at Iowa, the Stars still lead the AHL with a 92.7% success rate (38-for-41). Then on Friday the Wild went 3-for-7 on the power play, doubling the number of power play goals Texas has allowed this year. The Stars now rank second in the league in penalty kill percentage (88.5%), going 46-for-52 on the season.

- BARRAGE - The Stars set two season-highs for shots on goal in Saturday's 5-0 victory at Iowa. First they set a new high for shots on goal in one period (22) in the first period and then set a new high for most shots in one game this year (49), eclipsing their previous high of 48 shots, accomplished on October 27th at Rockford.

- THE MAGIC THIRD GOAL - The Texas Stars are 5-1-0-0 (10 points) this season when they score three or more goals in a game. However, when the team scores two or less goals, they have a record of 0-3-2-0 (2 points).

- SHOOTING STARS - Texas leads the AHL in shots per game (38.17) and is fourth in the league in fewest shots against (25.83). The Stars have out-shot their opponents in 11-of 12 games so far this year, with just the October 15th 2-1 OT loss at Oklahoma City (23-36) as the one contest they have been out-shot. Right wing Colton Sceviour currently leads the AHL in shots (59).

- MILESTONES - Center Toby Petersen notched his 450th career pro point with an assist last Friday at Iowa. Petersen has 450 points (179 goals, 271 assists) in 932 career pro games. Also on Friday, center Chris Mueller recorded his 200th career AHL point with a power play goal in the second period against the Wild. Mueller has 201 career points (98 goals, 103 assists) in 333 career AHL games.

- APPROACHING STARS MILESTONES - C Chris Mueller is 2 goals shy of his 100th career AHL goal. LW Mike Hedden is 3 GP away from playing in his 150th career AHL game. D Hubert Labrie is 8 GP shy of his 100th career pro game. LW Francis Wathier needs 6 assists to record his 100th career AHL assist. C Travis Morin he needs 5 GP for his 300th career AHL game and his 450th career pro game. D Aaron Rome is three assists shy of his 100th career AHL assist. RW Colton Sceviour needs 9 points to reach his 200th career pro point and 10 points for his 200th career AHL point. C Justin Dowling is 10 GP away from his 150th career pro game. D Jamie Oleksiak needs 13 GP to reach his 100th career pro game.

Stars Week 5 Transactions:

November 2 - ADD - Allen York (G) - Signed to PTO, called up from Evansville (ECHL).

November 1 - DELETE - Derek Hender (G) - Released from ATO.

November 1 - ADD - Derek Hender (G) - Signed to ATO.

October 30 - ADD - Travis Morin (C) - Returned on loan from Dallas (NHL).

Texas Stars Team Leaders:

Games Played: Seven Players Tied (12)

Goals: Colton Sceviour (9)

Assists: Travis Morin (12)

Points: Travis Morin (20)

Plus/Minus: Travis Morin (+10)

Penalty Minutes: Matej Stransky (21)

Power Play Goals: Chris Mueller (4)

Short Handed Goals: Taylor Peters (1)

Game-Winning Goals: Six Players Tied (1)

Shots: Colton Sceviour (59)

Shooting Percentage: Chris Mueller (23.1%)

Saves: Cristopher Nilstorp (173)

Wins: Jack Campbell & Cristopher Nilstorp (2)

GAA: Allen York (0.00)

Save Percentage: Allen York (1.000)

Shutouts: Josh Robinson & Allen York (1)

The Stars are back home for Stars & Stripes Military Appreciation Weekend presented by Sport Clips, facing the Milwaukee Admirals at Cedar Park Center on Friday, November 8th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m. Friday's game is a $3 Draft Beer & $4 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Wine Night and ABC Home & Commercial Services will be giving out a reusable shopping tote. Pro-rated full and partial 2013-14 Texas Stars Season Tickets are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.

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