Stars Fall to Griffins 4-2, Split Road Trip

Texas was certainly hoping for a better roadtrip result than .500 but then again, when you look at the circumstances, you really can't be upset with that mark. Texas finished their 4 games in 5 days roadtrip today with a regulation loss to Grand Rapids.

Texas started off the scoring in the first period on a Griffins power play. A pass from Greg Rallo found Travis Morin in the slot to make it 1-0 early on a shorty. The goal was Morin's team-leading 12th of the season. Jordie Benn looked to have earned a secondary assist on the play but was not granted one. If the scoring is changed later, it would be his first AHL point.

The Griffins had the only goal of the second period as Francis Pare beat Beskorowany off Trevor Ludwig. At the end of the period, Texas was being outshot 27-17 but was holding on at 1 all.

Sadly the third period brought a Griffins comeback instead of a Stars resurgence as there was last night. Ray Sawada got the lead for the Stars off a homerun pass from Trevor Ludwig just past the 9 minute mark. The backhand shot for the winger extended Sawada's point streak to six games. He has been on a tear ever since being placed on the line with Sceviour and Tousignant. Additionally, he has been getting some PP time as well.

Ninety seconds later, however, the Griffins would counter with former Star Doug Janik beating Besko to tie everything at two. The Griffins would go up for good 3 minutes later when Tomas Tatar tipped a Derek Meech pointshot to make it 3-2. Grand Rapids got an empty netter with 31 seconds left as well.

Given the depleted corps of players for the Stars, the rapidity of the games, and the travel involved, going 50% on points in the road trip is astounding. Tyler Beskorowany got the start in all 4 games and saw 159 shots over the 5 days.

Texas will rest up and travel back to Austin where they may or may not be joined by Richard Bachman for their Tuesday night battle against Manitoba. The Stars' ace goalie had his first NHL minutes last night in relief of Andrew Raycroft. The rookie stopped all four shots he saw. Kari Lehtonen's back will dictate whether Texas keeps rolling with Besko and LeMay or gains the rookie out of Colorado College back soon.

Tonight's lines:
Brunnstrom-Morin-Rallo
Sceviour-Tousignant-Sawada
Wathier-Roman-Vincour
Gazdic-Chupp-Backman

Benn-Stephenson
Larsen-Lukowich
Blindenbacher-Ludwig

Beskorowany

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Spang, King, Fortunus (scratched)
McCulloch (upper body)
Krahn (lower body)
Bachman, Gagnon (call-up)

Tonight's attendance was 3,373.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Grand Rapids - December 12 2010

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