Jack Campbell, Stars Shut Out Charlotte 3-0

Jack Campbell (Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

In his first home start since December, Jack Campbell delighted the hometown fans with a 23 save shutout of the Charlotte Checkers. The club in front of him put up three goals to make sure his effort ensured a win for the Stars.

"I was really looking forward to playing at home," said Campbell. "The fans never disappoint so it's good to get two points for them."

Texas distributed their scoring evenly, putting in a goal each period. Additionally, each goal came from a different line with the top three lines each potting one.

"At the beginning of the year I was worried because we were getting all of our scoring out of one line and the power play," said Coach Desjardins. "You can't win in the playoffs with that. Now we're playing way better and getting more from the other lines. That gives us a way better chance moving forward."

While Texas did limit shots against their second-year goalie, Campbell was strong in net on his own to keep the goose egg on the sheet.

"[Charlotte] had good scoring chances," said Campbell. "The boys played tremendously in front of me. It just ramps up this time of the year. You're getting ready for the playoffs and we're trying to get first place. Our team has really come along."

Dustin Jeffrey scored his third in three games, and Patrik Nemeth tallied his first of the season in the game. The power play activated in the second with Colton Sceviour's 32nd of the year. The win also put Texas back in first with 80 points.

Texas started off a bit slow, according to Patrik Nemeth.

"I think we didn't get the start we wanted. After five minutes in the first, we played the way we play. Good skating, high tempo, good breakouts."

That good tempo led to a Dustin Jeffrey goal. Chris Mueller slipped the puck through the legs of Keegan Lowe on the right wing side and dished to Dustin Jeffrey on the back door for the easy 1-0 lead.

Desjardins added, "[Jeffrey's] confidence has come and you've also got to give a lot of credit to his linemates. His line is playing so well."

The power play generated the Stars' second goal in the second period. A solid at the net play by Colton Sceviour put Texas in the driver's seat as he completed a rebound off the initial shot by Curtis McKenzie. Travis Morin picked up his league leading 74th point on the second assist.

From there it was all about preserving the shutout for Campbell. Texas spent a huge amount of the third period in the Checkers' zone, including an early goal to make it 3-0.

Nemeth scored his first of the season and only third pro goal of his career.

"I'm not used to scoring goals so it was kinda awkward," he said. "I'll work on a better celebration for next time."

He continued to describe the play, "I think it was a pass up the middle and Hedden missed the puck and I backed him up. I got a nice little shot there."

Two late penalties by Charlotte gave Texas offensive zone time to seal the deal for Campbell and the Stars.

Charlotte is the Stars' next opponent as well. The two will face off on Wednesday at the CPC.

Tonight's lines:
McKenzie-Morin-Sceviour
Jeffrey-Mueller-Glennie
Hedden-Dowling-Ritchie
Ranford-Peters-Stransky

Oleksiak-Meech
Nemeth-Gaunce
Labrie-Fortunus

Campbell

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Wrenn, Jokipakka, Wathier (scratch)
Petersen (injury)

Today's attendance was 5,469.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Charlotte - March 8 2014