Stars "Embarrassing" Effort Leads to Historic Loss, Griffins Clobber Stars 10-1

Credit: Logan Foust/Texas Stars

The Stars posted a record-breaking loss as they got trounced by the Grand Rapids Griffins 10-1. The nine-goal margin and ten goals allowed are tied for the worst loss in Texas Stars history. The feat was last achieved by Texas in 2011 against the Oklahoma City Barons, a team that no longer exists. 

The top team in the AHL by points percentage truly lived up to their moniker, netting four tallies in the game's first period in a contest that felt over from the moment the puck was dropped. The Stars were coming off a promising weekend series split against Rockford, where the team looked poised to turn a corner on the season. That positive momentum was clearly no match for the Griffins' overwhelming attack. 

The Stars' subpar effort was fully acknowledged by their Captain, Curtis McKenzie, who volunteered to speak for his team post-game. "Embarrassing. Embarrassing on all accounts, throughout the lineup. They came in, they're a top team in the league, and they played like it ... that effort, there's probably no one in the lineup that looked like they should be in this league tonight." 

That sentiment was echoed by Texas' head coach, Toby Petersen. "That's an embarrassing game for our team. And we all, to a man, have got to find solutions." He went on later in the interview about the team's effort. "The opportunities we gave them weren't as much of a breakdown from structure as it was just a lack of skating, a lack of closing plays out, a lack of winning one-on-one battles. Those are the things that haunted us tonight."

Starting goaltender Remi Poirier was yanked after the third Griffins goal, though it's tough to fault the young netminder when all three tallies were scored from practically inside his own crease. “We hunt our goal is out to dry," Petersen said. "But to a man, I think everyone's got more. I know they have more.” In fact, Poirier has been one of the bright spots for the stars this season, posting a top-ten save percentage and goals against average in the AHL. 

Ben Kraws came in relief for Texas and struggled mightily. On three of his goals allowed, he made 90% of the save, but failed to keep the puck in front of him. The pill was subsequently jammed into the empty net as it lay behind him or trickled in on its own accord. The rookie goalie ended the night giving up seven goals in total. Undoubtedly, coming into the game cold against the best team in the league is tough, but his performance left much to be desired. 

The absence of the Stars' two best defenseman, Kyle Capbianco and Ilya Kolyachonok, felt incredibly impactful tonight as the young D-core struggled to get the puck out of their own end and clear the front of the net. Eight of the ten Griffins' goals were scored from the slot. 

The Griffins got the onslaught started just 15 seconds into the game when Eduard Tralmarks snuck the game's first shot past Poirier. Texas had a solid push back after that goal; they had several scoring chances and were able to establish a consistent forecheck against the Griffins. Those good feelings were short-lived, however, as the Grand Rapids scored three times in the final ten minutes of the frame. Obviously, the game got out of hand after that. 

One of the more notable moments for the Stars came from Sean Chisholm in the second period. After handing his stick to defenseman Michael Karow, the forward made an important shot block, allowing him and his tired linemates to change. Texas’ bench lauded him with banging sticks and yells of approval for his efforts. 

AHL veteran and Bruce Boudreau award winner, Dominik Shine, potted a hat trick and earned an assist for a four-point night. That gives the Grand Rapids captain a total of nine goals on the season. All three of his tallies came within ten feet of the Stars' net. Talmarks bookended the contest by scoring the last goal of the game, officially cementing it as one of the worst in Texas Stars History.

Kole Lind got the lone Stars goal for the night at the end of the game. As you can imagine, little to no celebration could be detected in the forward's body language as he cut the deficit back down to 8. 

The Stars will seek retribution tomorrow as they take on the Griffins again in the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park at 7 pm. 

Tonight’s Lines: 

Hughes-Hyry-Tuomaala

Stranges-Scott-Lind

Shlaine-Seminoff-McKenzie

Martino-Becker-Chisholm

Taylor-Bergsland

Bertucci-Karow

Looft-White

Poirier

Injuries, scratches and notes: 

Hreschuk, Ertel, Hanas (scratch)

Punnett (warm-up)

Tonight’s attendance was 6,044.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Grand Rapids -  November 25th, 2025