AHL Texas Stars

Texas Hits Holiday Break Leading the AHL's West Division

Published on December 19, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


Cedar Park, TX - The Texas Stars (20-9-2-2, 44 points) were defeated by the Grand Rapids Griffins (18-11-0-1, 37 points) 4-2 in front of 5,855 fans at the Cedar Park Center on Saturday night. Griffins Jan Mursak and Mattias Ritola scored 48 seconds apart seven minutes into the third period, erasing a 2-1 deficit and pushing Grand Rapids in front for the remainder of the game. Stars forwards Greg Rallo and Aaron Gagnon each tallied two assists on power-play goals in the first period. Goalie Matt Climie (9-8-2) suffered the loss with 16 saves. Griffins' goalie Daniel Larsson stopped 20 of 22 Texas shots in the win. After the holiday break, the Texas Stars will play in San Antonio on Sunday, Dec. 27 at 3:00 pm.

In the first period, the Griffins took a 1-0 lead after winger Jeremy Williams scored his 14th goal of the year at 8:23. Veteran forward Michael Nylander set up the play with a drop pass to the right-wing circle, springing Williams for a scoring chance. The Griffins right wing fired a wristshot past Texas goalie Matt Climie, beating him on the glove side. Texas countered during the power play at 10:31 when defenseman Andrew Hutchinson scored from the point, tying the game 1-1. The power-play goal was the defenseman's second goal of the season. Stars defenseman Brad Lukowich scored the team's second power-play goal of the night, scoring with 3:30 left in the period. Lukowich fired a shot from the left point, sneaking the puck by Griffins goalie Daniel Larsson for the 2-1 lead. Forwards Aaron Gagnon and Greg Rallo tallied assists on both power-play goals.

After a scoreless second period, the Griffins scored twice in 48 seconds to take a 3-2 lead. Right wing Jan Mursak scored his 11th goal of the season off a rebound at 6:41, tying the game 2-2. Less than a minute later, left wing Mattias Ritola scored the Griffins' third goal of the night at 7:29. Ritola tipped a Travis Ehrhardt shot past Climie for his seventh goal of the season and a 3-2 Grand Rapids lead. The Griffins ended the scoring at 19:40, as Jon Vigilante slid in an empty-netter with 20 seconds left in the game.

The Stars will travel to San Antonio on Sunday, Dec. 27 to play the Rampage at 3:00 PM. Texas returns to the Cedar Park Center to take on Syracuse at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Tickets for any of the Stars 40 regular season home games at Cedar Park Center are on sale, starting as low as $9.00 a seat. Individual game tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, by going online at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting any local Ticketmaster outlet.

Season ticket packages to see the Stars play their Inaugural season at the Cedar Park Center are on sale now, starting as low as $12.00 a seat. 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2009


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