AHL Texas Stars

Texas Stars Playoff Update #9

April 22, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Texas Stars News Release


Stars Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead, Go for Sweep on Friday

Rockford, IL - The Texas Stars defeated the Rockford IceHogs 6-1 on Wednesday night in front of 3,232 fans at the Rockford MetroCentre. The Stars lead the best-of-seven series 3-0. Texas forward Jamie Benn scored twice and added two assists, helping the Stars move within a win of the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Stars goalie Brent Krahn (3-0) stopped 26 of 27 Rockford shots in the win. IceHogs goalie Corey Crawford (0-3) made 16 saves on 21 Stars shots in two periods of play. Forwards Travis Morin and Aaron Gagnon, as well as defenseman Dan Jancevski, each added two assists as the Stars improved to 9-2-0-0 against Rockford this season. The Stars will go for the sweep on Friday night in Game 4.

Milwaukee Comes Back to Force Game 6

Staring in the face of playoff elimination, Milwaukee rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 to stun Chicago with a 5-4 road win on Wednesday, cutting the Wolves' series lead in their West Division semifinal to 3-2. The series will now shift back to the Bradley Center in Milwaukee for Game 6 on Friday night. Milwaukee trailed 4-1 in the latter stages of the second period, but Mark Santorelli and Ben Guite notched goals before intermission to make it a 4-3 contest. Rookie Ryan Thang tallied his first of the playoffs to tie it at 10:53 of the third period, and Chris Mueller netted the game-winner on the power play with just 1:55 left to play in regulation. Admirals defenseman Jonathon Blum assisted on both third-period markers.

The winner of the Milwaukee-Chicago series will face the winner of the Texas-Rockford series in the West Division Finals.

Two More Teams Eliminated, Atlantic and East Division Finals Set...

With a 5-1 win at Lowell last night, the Worcester Sharks eliminated the Lowell Devils 4-1 in their first round series. Right wing Dan DaSilva finished the series with a team-high seven points on two goals and five assists in five games played. Sharks goalie Alex Stalock went 4-1 with a 1.89 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. The Sharks will face the Manchester Monarchs in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. ... The Hershey Bears will face the Albany River Rats in the East Division Finals after knocking Bridgeport out of the Calder Cup Playoffs last night with a 4-1 win at home. The defending champs defeated the Sound Tigers in five games to continue their title defense. Bears left wing Alexandre Giroux finished the series with six goals and nine points in five games.

North Division Semifinals Taking Shape....

Hamilton and Rochester each have a 3-1 series lead after posting big wins last night. The Hamilton Bulldogs beat the Manitoba Moose 5-4 in double overtime. Defenseman P.K. Subban gave the Bulldogs the win, scoring his second goal of the night 6:05 into the second overtime. Game 5 is set for Friday night in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre.

The Rochester Americans blasted the Heat in Abbotsford 6-1 last night. The Americans erupted for four goals in the second period and cruised to their third straight win over Abbotsford. Game 5 is slated for Friday night in Abbotsford.

Games for Thursday, April 22nd

No Games Scheduled

West Division Semifinals Schedule (best of seven)

Game 1 - Rockford 1 at Texas 2

Game 2 - Rockford 1 at Texas 3

Game 3 - Texas 6 at Rockford 1 (Texas leads series 3-0)

Game 4 - Fri., April 23 - Texas at Rockford, 7:05 p.m.

Game 5 - Sat., April 24 - Texas at Rockford, 7:05 p.m. - X

Game 6 - Mon., April 26 - Rockford at Texas, 7:30 p.m. - X

Game 7 - Tues., April 27 - Rockford at Texas, 7:30 p.m. -X

X = If Necessary

SERIES SUBPLOTS.......

- Texas rookie forward Jamie Benn had two goals and an assist in the second period of Game 3 at Rockford. Benn is tied for the team lead in scoring with five points in three games.

- Stars goalie Brent Krahn leads all goalies in the Calder Cup Playoffs with a 1.00 goals against average and a .966 save percentage. Krahn has not allowed a goal in the first or second period of play in the playoffs.

- Texas forward Travis Morin is tied for fourth in the Calder Cup Playoffs with five assists in five games.

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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American Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2010


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