Texas Stars Crushed by San Antonio 5-2

It was a brutal contest in San Antonio this morning. Not physically, but on the scoreboard. While the final score might not have reflected it, San Antonio owned this contest. The second period was particularly unkind with San Antonio marking four goals in the frame. A pair of third period goals were the only thing that broke up the crushing contest for Texas, but it was too little too late.

The game marked the first loss for Texas in a 'kids game' since 2012. Jack Campbell took the loss, dropping him to 1-2 on the year, as Texas slipped into a three-game losing streak. Campbell stopped 22 of 27 shots in the game and slipped to a 4.53 GAA and .860 save percentage on the season.

The first period went mostly fine for Texas. Despite a 1-0 deficit after twenty minutes, the Stars were definitely 'in the game.' Of course, the middle frame was where this all fell apart.

Andrew Agozzino scored first, then Michael Schumacher slipped in a puck on a play that was challenged unsuccessfully by the Stars coaching staff. Marc-Andrew Cliche scored off the ensuing faceoff to make it 4-0. With the Rampage shorthanded goal with under two minutes left in the frame, San Antonio had more goals in the second period than Texas had shots. The Stars finished with 7 as they had a power play to finish the frame.

Texas collected a few tallies in the final frame to make the score look respectable. Goalie John Muse took the ice to start the frame, relieving Campbell. Devin Shore scored his first goal since returning from the NHL, a power play tally in tight and all alone in front of Spencer Martin. Matt Mangene scored on a tip in front off the shot of Brendan Ranford to make it a 5-2 Rampage lead. That play was unsuccessfully challenged by the Rampage coaching staff.

The Stars will welcome Charlotte to the Cedar Park Center on Friday.

Tonight's lines:
Shore-Morin-Ranford
McKenzie-Faksa-Rallo
Hulak-Smith-Troock
Dickinson-Stransky

Lindell-Johns
Nemeth-Blacker
Mangene-Honka
Bystrom

Campbell

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Kane, Evans, Ully (scratch)
Elie (day-to-day upper body)
Dowling (day-to-day lower body)
Backman (concussion)

Note that the Stars went with their 3 center lineup today. Each of the winger sets were kept together as noted while the centers rotated as well.

Today's attendance was 5,617.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - November 17 2015

Comments

  1. I'm still not sure I understand why Laxdal uses the 3 centers format. It seems like a lack of continuity with lines (Forward and Defense) doesn't help the team.
    I am also wondering why lines that are known to perform well (like McKenzie- Morin- Ranford) aren't together.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I blame Campbell. We are 1-4 since his return. BENCH HIM

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for commenting. Remember to keep it civil. Using a name will help us identify replies and build a Texas Stars community.