Texas Stars Report: Dec. 18

The Texas Stars went 1-0-0-1 over the past week, picking up three of a possible four points in a weekend series on the road against Western Conference leading Abbotsford.

The Stars extended their points streak to six games (4-0-1-1), and improved to 7-1-1-1 over their past ten games.

Texas, now 13-8-2-2 on the season, currently ranks third in the South Division and sixth in the Western Conference.

Friday December 14, Texas at Abbotsford: Stars 3, Heat 1

The Stars improved to 4-0-1-0 over their past five games with a 3-1 victory at Abbotsford Friday night. Cristopher Nilstorp stopped 20 shots for the Stars, who got goals from Reilly Smith, Taylor Vause and Cody Eakin.

All the scoring in the game came in the second period. Smith gave the Stars a 1-0 lead 5:00 into the second.  After the Heat drew even later in the period, Vause and Eakin scored goals 1:59 apart late in the second to give the Stars a two-goal lead that would hold up for the rest of the game.

Saturday, December 15, Texas at Abbotsford, Heat 2, Stars 1 (SO)

The Stars lost 2-1 in a shootout, but the point they picked up in the game ran their points streak to six games (4-0-1-1).

Matt Fraser scored the lone goal for Texas, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead with a five-on-three power play goal at 5:13 of the second period.

The Heat tied the game with a power play goal less than three minutes later.

After a scoreless third period and overtime, the game went to a shootout where the Heat outscored the Stars, 3-2.

Jack Campbell got the start in goal for the Stars, and stopped 25 of 26 shots in regulation and overtime and then two of five in the shootout. Heat goalie Barry Brust, who leads the league in goals against average and save percentage, had 39 saves in the game, and stopped three of five in the shootout.

Notes: The last ten games

Here are some statistical notes on the Texas Stars over the last ten games.

*The Stars are 7-1-1-1 over their last ten games, including 6-1-0-1 on the road and 1-0-1-0 at Cedar Park Center.

*The Stars are averaging 2.90 goals per game over the last ten, excluding goals awarded for shootout wins.

*The Stars are allowing 2.10 goals per game over the last ten, excluding goals awarded for the shootout.

*The Stars are 9-41 on the power play (22.0 percent in their last ten games.

*The Stars are 31-36 on the penalty kill (86.1 percent) in their last ten games.

*The Stars are averaging 30.8 shots on goal per game and allowing 28.3 shots against in the last ten.

*Goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp has started seven of the ten games, posting a 1.61 goals against average and .935 save percentage.

*Jack Campbell has started three of the games and appeared in one other, posting a 2.65 goals against average and .914 save percentage.

*The forwards currently playing in Texas’ top six group of forwards have combined for 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) over the last ten games. If you include the goal Scott Glennie scored on Nov. 25, when he skated on the top line, the top six forwards have scored 21 of Texas’ 29 goals over the last ten games.  Here’s a look at the current top six and their numbers over the last ten games.

*Among defensemen, Jordie Benn has been the top scorer over the last 10 games with 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists). Brenden Dillon has 2 goals, 2 assists.

Injury notes

*F Scott Glennie has missed the last three games with a hand injury.

Transactions

*12/17: D Hubert Labrie assigned to Texas from Idaho (ECHL).

*12/15: D Cam Barker released from professional tryout contract.

*12/12: F Taylor Vause signed to second professional tryout contract.

Week ahead

Wednesday December 19: San Antonio at Texas, 7:30 p.m.
Friday December 21: Texas at Oklahoma City, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday December 22: Texas at Oklahoma City, 7:00 p.m.

Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads, Dallas’ ECHL affiliate, went 2-1-0-0 over the past week. The Steelheads are 18-6-1-2 on the season and currently rank third in the ECHL’s Western Conference.

RW Austin Smith picked up one goal and one assist in the three games. He ran his points streak to 11 games, before it was snapped in Saturday’s 6-2 loss at Ontario. The streak is the fourth longest in the league this season. Smith has 22 points (15 goals, 7 assists) and a plus-13 rating in 18 games with Idaho this season.

D Hubert Labrie, who was called up to Texas on Monday, has 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and a plus-6 rating over his last 10 games.

Texas Stars Statistics

*Indicates player under contract to Texas Stars. x-Indicates not currently on roster

Idaho Steelheads Statistics

Stats of Dallas players in Idaho