Texas lived and died by special teams this season. One of the best teams on the power play in the regular season, they were dogged by a brutally inefficient penalty kill all year. Tonight's contest was no exception to that general theme. The Stars fell 6-2 to end their season in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season.
The Gulls and Stars traded goals in the first period, but the special teams battle was in full effect in the second. Late in the first, two unnecessary penalties put Texas at a 5-on-3 disadvantage to start the second. Chris Mueller scored the second-fastest goal against the Stars in franchise history. Seven seconds into the second period, the final dagger was already in the body. San Diego would add another on the 5-on-4 that ensued.
Finally, as Texas got some luck with a power play at the midpoint of the frame, Julius Honka turned over a puck at the center line and gave up a shorthanded rush and eventual goal.
Texas had its best chance to score all night with a five minute major late in the second. Mattias Backman was boarded hard by Corey Tropp to earn the penalty. They would come up empty on the power play. Brett Ritchie would score an ultimately meaningless goal at the end of the third and the Gulls notched an empty netter to set the final score.
Jack Campbell got the start but was pulled after the fourth goal. Maxime Lagace finished the game.
Tonight's lines:
Stransky-Morin-Ranford
McKenzie-Dowling-Ritchie
Hulak-Dickinson-Mangene
Elie-McMurtry-Army
Backman-Honka
Hansson-Lindell
Blacker-Bystrom
Campbell
Lagace
Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Shore, Ully, Troock, Rallo (injury)
Ruusu, Evans, Kane, Smith (scratch)
Tonight's attendance was not available.
AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Diego - April 29 2016
The Gulls and Stars traded goals in the first period, but the special teams battle was in full effect in the second. Late in the first, two unnecessary penalties put Texas at a 5-on-3 disadvantage to start the second. Chris Mueller scored the second-fastest goal against the Stars in franchise history. Seven seconds into the second period, the final dagger was already in the body. San Diego would add another on the 5-on-4 that ensued.
Finally, as Texas got some luck with a power play at the midpoint of the frame, Julius Honka turned over a puck at the center line and gave up a shorthanded rush and eventual goal.
Texas had its best chance to score all night with a five minute major late in the second. Mattias Backman was boarded hard by Corey Tropp to earn the penalty. They would come up empty on the power play. Brett Ritchie would score an ultimately meaningless goal at the end of the third and the Gulls notched an empty netter to set the final score.
Jack Campbell got the start but was pulled after the fourth goal. Maxime Lagace finished the game.
Tonight's lines:
Stransky-Morin-Ranford
McKenzie-Dowling-Ritchie
Hulak-Dickinson-Mangene
Elie-McMurtry-Army
Backman-Honka
Hansson-Lindell
Blacker-Bystrom
Campbell
Lagace
Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Shore, Ully, Troock, Rallo (injury)
Ruusu, Evans, Kane, Smith (scratch)
Tonight's attendance was not available.
AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Diego - April 29 2016
I think we've seen the last of Jack Campbell in a Stars' uniform. At the beginning of the season I came here and predicted this would be Campbell's last stand. And sure enough, his season has to be classified as a disappointment. I'm sure at this stage in his career, the former #1 pick never thought he'd see so much ECHL time. They need to trade Campbell this year while he still has some value. One more year of him underperforming and he'll be forced to Europe or early retirement.
ReplyDeleteThank you for another season of dedicated reporting, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Thanks for your excellent coverage of the Texas Stars. Looking forward to the upcoming summer roster movement posts. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete