Texas Stars on Fire: How Depth, Goaltending, and Camaraderie are Propelling Them Up the Standings

(Credit: Logan Foust/Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars are currently riding a 9-1-0 hot streak, catapulting them to the top of the Central Division (by points percentage). This recent surge is attributed to their depth, solid goaltending, and the strong team camaraderie they have fostered throughout the season. 

Their first three wins on this string of victories came at an unlikely juncture in the Stars’ schedule. Just three days after their AHL All-Star defenseman Lian Bischel was recalled to Dallas, the Texas Stars defeated the division-leading Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 in overtime twice with a shutout against the division's then-second place team, the Milwaukee Admirals, sandwiched in between.

The team was further tested with more roster scrambling on its way across the border for a two-game set against the Manitoba Moose. Justin Hryckowian was recalled to Dallas, Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie traveled to Switzerland to play for Team Canada in the Spengler Cup, and Bischel was still making his presence known in the NHL. 

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Despite the roster holes, Texas dismantled the division basement-dwelling Moose 6-2 in the first game, thanks to a hat trick from Artu Hyry, and 3-1 in the second game, nearly a shutout for goaltender Magnus Hellberg.

The Stars returned home boasting a five-game road winning streak. Along with those victories, McKenzie, Bischel, and Hryckowian returned to the lineup. However, the band was not quite back together; veteran defensemen Kyle Capobianco and Alex Petrovic were kept out of the lineup for the home series against the Tucson Roadrunners. 

The Stars' lack of experience on the blue line, combined with the vast physical pressure applied by the Roadrunners, led to several rough turnovers in the first game. Those turnovers and their inability to match Tuscon's physicality caused the Stars’ only loss since December 17th.  

However, the mark of a great team is often how they bounce back after a loss. The Stars are establishing themselves as one of those great teams. In a statement game two win, they minimized turnovers, pushed the physicality, and showed their exceptional depth with five different goal scorers in a 5-0 beatdown of the Roadrunners. 

Texas extended its win streak to four thanks to a dominant road trip that saw them defeat Rockford twice and Milwaukee once. They won all three games by three or more goals, controlling the contests from start to finish. 

Depth

The Stars’ biggest strength during this hot streak has been their depth. Despite having many of their top players pulled up to Dallas or injury difficulties of their own, they have maintained their defensive structure and offensive production. 

The Stars have four players with over 30 points this season: Matěj Blümel, Antonio Stranges, Justin Hryckowian and Cameron Hughes. This spread of scoring talent has kept the Stars’ league-leading offense humming despite repeatedly losing some of their top point producers to callups. 

Defenseman Gavin White has been a great example of defensive depth this year. Before December 17th, he played in only 11 of the Stars’ first 28 games, was a frequent healthy scratch, and even played several games in the ECHL. 

Since then, he has played nine of the last ten games for Texas, and due to Petrovic's continued absence, has taken a prominent role in the defensive group, including starting the four previous games. In that same ten-game set, the Stars have only allowed more than two goals once. 

Goaltending

You can’t mention a stat like that without acknowledging the heroic netminding from the Stars goaltenders. Remi Poirier and Magnus Hellberg combined for a .940 save percentage, a 1.50 GAA and two shutouts over the ten-game stretch.   

This resurgence has been an enormous step for Poirier, who struggled at the start of the season. In the statement win over Tucson, Poirier was awarded the first star of the night and praised by Stars fans, who chanted his name as the final buzzer sounded. If he can continue the groove he has found recently, the Stars may have one of the best goalie tandems in the league. 

Camaraderie

The intangible spark this team has developed over the season is evident in their love of playing for one another. This camaraderie was especially noticeable when White scored his first AHL career goal late in the Stars’ win over Tucson. 

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“There are moments throughout the year that are important to recognize,” Coach Graham said when asked about his team’s response to White’s goals. “And I think we get into such a grind, and you get into the monotony, and you get into a lot of travel, and it's important to make sure you recognize special things. Especially when you're excited for a teammate, seeing someone put in the work, and then they get a reward, and those are the things that bond a group. And it's a lot of fun in [the dressing room].”

It’s no secret that sports are more enjoyable when you win. If the Stars keep up their current pace, they’re sure to have plenty more fun and, of course, continue to climb the standings.


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