AHL Texas Stars

Texas Stars Playoff Update #22

Published on May 5, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


One night after dropping a 5-3 decision in Game 3 of the West Division Finals, Texas will look to pull back even with Chicago when the teams meet up for Game 4 tonight at the Cedar Park Center. Spencer Machacek, who hadn't put up a multiple-point showing in any of his first nine playoff games, paced the Wolves on Tuesday with two goals and an assist. Machacek's nine postseason points (5-4-9) are now tied with Tim Stapleton (2-7-9) for the Chicago team lead. Defenseman Nathan Oystrick also scored twice in Game 3 for the Wolves, registering his first two goals of the playoffs. Brett Sterling, who led the Wolves with 34 goals (34-22-56) in 55 games during the regular season, rounded out Chicago's offense with his first marker of the postseason, giving him a team-high five points (1-4-5) vs. Texas this round. Anthony Stewart is riding a four-game scoring streak (4-1-5) for the Wolves, while Jason Krog, who chipped in two assists on Tuesday, has a point in his all three games this series (2-2-4). Chicago goaltender Peter Mannino (6-3, 2.85, .899) made 27 saves for the Wolves. Texas forward Perttu Lindgren had been without a point through the first two games of this series before breaking out with a pair of goals in the Game 3 defeat. Aaron Gagnon also scored for the Stars, giving him a point in all three tilts against the Wolves (2-1-3). Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson is riding a five-game scoring streak (3-4-7) after failing to produce a point in the Stars' first two playoff outings; Hutchinson's current run matches his longest run of the regular season, as he had a point in five straight from Feb. 21-28. Matt Climie played the third period in relief of Brent Krahn last night, his first game action since Apr. 9. The Stars are looking to avoid their first three-game losing skid since Feb. 19-23 and their first back-to-back home losses since dropping three straight - including two at the hands of Chicago - from Feb. 9-13.

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 (Chicago leads series 2-1)

Game 4 - Wed., May 5 - Chicago at Texas, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 - Fri., May 7 - Chicago at Texas, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

X If Necessary

Decisive Game 5 Tonight in Worcester

Deadlocked at two games apiece, the Atlantic Division Finals has been reduced to a best-of-three series, and Manchester visits Worcester for the pivotal Game 5 tonight at the DCU Center. The teams have been idle since splitting a pair of games in Manchester last weekend. Worcester suffered a 5-0 defeat on Friday night but rallied from a 2-1 second-intermission deficit to post a 3-2 victory the next night.

Hamilton Takes 2-1 Series Lead with Win on Tuesday at Abbotsford

Gabriel Dumont and Olivier Fortier each scored his first pro goal, and Brock Trotter posted two assists as Hamilton rallied for a 3-2 road win over Abbotsford on Wednesday, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 series lead in the North Division Finals. Game 4 will be back at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre on Thursday night.

Wednesday's Games 5-5-10:

Game 4 - Chicago at Texas, 7:30 pm (CDT) (CHI leads series, 2-1)

Game 5 - Manchester at Worcester, 7:05 pm (EDT) (Series tied, 2-2)

TUESDAY'S SCORES:

Game 3 - Chicago 5, TEXAS 3 (CHI leads series, 2-1)

Game 3 - Hamilton 3, ABBOTSFORD 2 (HAM leads series, 2-1)

SERIES SUBPLOTS.......

- Chicago has won four straight at Cedar Park Center since a 4-1 loss on Oct. 31.

- The Wolves have gone 5-11 on the power play against Texas in the West Division Finals, including 3-6 in Game 3 on Tuesday night at Cedar Park Center. Texas is 2-11 on the power play in the playoffs after going 2-28 in the regular season against the Wolves.

- Texas goalie Brent Krahn is 1-2 with a 3.40 goals against average and a .893 save percentage against Chicago in the playoffs. Wolves' goalie Peter Mannino is 2-1 with a 2.79 goals against average and a .896 save percentage against the Stars.

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.

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