Between Self-Doubt and Redemption, Texas Stars Search for Spark

Late night television binge-inspired musings on what Texas needs to do next

(Credit: Texas Stars)

Somewhere in the fourth season of The West Wing, White House director of communications Toby Ziegler is suffering from writer’s block as he attempts vainly to begin the President's inaugural address. He tells another staffer that his voice, usually something he doesn’t have to search for at all, is gone.

TOBY

I don't understand what's happening. There's no blood going to it. I never had to locate it before. I don't even know where to look… I thought I was close. Now I'm just writing for my life.

As I watched this scene last night for the umpteenth time in my life, the analogy to the situation the Texas Stars find themselves in was so large and plainly visible it nearly knocked me over. Mired in self-doubt and unable to see a path out, the Stars are forlorn at their current situation. You don’t have to look any further than this post from Chris at the final horn of Saturday’s game.

The Stars' bench is frozen in stunned disbelief as the final buzzer sounds. No one moved for a full five seconds, and many players with their heads in their hands. #TXStars

— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) October 26, 2025

It makes sense. This is a team that was one of the last four standing in the league just four months ago. A lot of those guys are still here. Some have departed but anyone in that locker room would tell you that’s just an excuse. Other guys have to step up. Other guys have to make the plays.

Texas has had rough losing streaks before. They’ve only missed the playoffs a few times, but there’ve been some nasty streaks among the success.

The worst of them all was the 2019 skid that saw Texas take the L in 12 straight, accumulating just one point in those games, a shootout loss in the second contest. The Stars went from 3-2-0-1 to 3-13-0-2. When they finally defeated Rockford in a shootout to break it, I wrote at the time, “Without context, you'd think the Stars just won the Calder Cup. Down the tunnel, the hoots and hollers of a jubilant team echoed through the back of house.”

Texas breaks its longest losing streak, Nov 23 2019
(Credit: Texas Stars)

In that contest, Coach Derek Laxdal shook things up majorly en route to the victory. He benched everyday players and completely changed the complexion of his top nine (which included just one current Star, Jason Robertson).

Someone at Friday night’s game texted me in the middle of the second period noting that this might be the worst sporting event they’d ever been to in their life. I flippantly replied back that they hadn’t been witness to the 2011-12 Texas Stars season and it showed. But then we all watched Saturday night’s contest, and it was imminently clear that something was very wrong.

That 11-12 squad was not a good hockey team. They had an insane offense, but they also couldn’t keep the puck out of the net. It was the sort of team where they’d win 7-6 or lose 8-2.

This Texas team is actually getting a somewhat decent defense. It’s early in the year and a few situational effects have added extra goals to the totals. Nonetheless, the save percentage for both tenders is sub-.900, the usual benchmark of professional netminding.

But they could be allowing a full goal fewer on defense and it wouldn’t matter. There is just absolutely nothing happening on offense. Texas is tied for last in the league at 1.67 per game.

(Credit: Texas Stars)

They’re also last place on the power play, the lone remaining team in the league without a goal on the man advantage despite 18 tries. To add insult to injury there, they’ve also got the league’s second-worst penalty kill at 66.7%.

So what can you do?

Toby’s scene partner in the White House mess is Will Bailey, a soon-to-be staffer who is joining the writing staff to help write the speech. Their dialogue continues.

WILL

Yeah. Can I tell you three things? You are more in need of a night in

Atlantic City than any man I've ever met. Number two is, the last thing you need to worry about is no blood going there. You've got blood going there about thirteen ways. And some of it isn't good. Once again, I say, "Atlantic City." …

Of course, I’m not advocating that the team go blow their per diem at the Club Regent Casino in Winnipeg or anything, but there’s something to be said for team bonding, looseness and not gripping the stick too hard.

TOBY

What's the third thing?

WILL

You are one of those guys. This is an inning of good relief pitching from a fresh arm.

Aaron Sorkin loves a good sports metaphor.

One of the things that also helped Texas break out of their slump in 2019 was the addition of new blood, to continue the theme as it is Halloween week after all. On November 20, 2019, Texas acquired Anthony Louis from Charlotte in a future considerations trade. During his time in Texas, Louis was the team’s top point-getter since he joined the organization. 

One guy isn’t going to completely change the complexion of the team. However, if I were Scott White this week, I’d be working the phones to see who is available. 

Anthony Louis
(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

A savvy veteran who can put the puck in the net and run an efficient power play would be a key chip to seek out. I would also look at the veteran numbers and see if there are any players who departed for Europe from the AHL due to their veteran status who’d be interested in coming back.

Just because Texas broke out of that 2019 losing streak didn’t mean the hard times were done. Into January, the club was still struggling to put together a structured, consistent effort. "Some of the toughest losses are where you can see the true colors of people,” then head coach Neil Graham told me at the time. “You can learn some tough lessons in those scenarios, but they are not as nearly as much fun as winning. I'd much rather develop through winning. And that's where we need to regain our focus."

The Stars could go into Winnipeg this weekend and smash the Moose and they’d still be barely out of the cellar in the division and underwater on most of their stats, I’d imagine. But all it can take is one win to turn the ship. After that 2019 team broke the streak, they went 8-0-1 in their next nine.

All it takes is one.

Texas has a full week between games now, next taking the ice in Manitoba for a two-game set on Sunday and Monday.