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| (Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars) |
The prospect of owning a team’s “number” is a strange phenomenon in sports.
Players and coaches on the opposing side conveniently do not buy into the sentiment, while the team on the other side may put up a complementary answer, tossing it up to pure coincidence.Even if the Texas Stars may not believe that they own the Milwaukee Admirals’ “number” so far this season, the on-ice results may prove different.
“Sometimes, when you look at the matchup, there are certain strengths and weaknesses that don't align,” Texas head coach Toby Petersen said. “We're scrapping and trying to find our way to get back up the standings and any way we can. It just happens, it's possibly a coincidence.”
Coincidence or not, the Stars were just the better team once again, cruising to a regulation 4-1 victory over the Admirals Sunday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. The victory marked Texas’ second consecutive home sweep, both coming against the Admirals.
The Stars were very aggressive all night, establishing the style of hockey Petersen has desired all season. But tonight’s officials did not show any mercy for the home team, calling Texas for five penalties, three in the first period alone.
“I thought it was way more,” goaltender Arno Tiefensee said about the penalties.
Although it felt that Texas was down a man for the majority of the game, it was a big night for the special teams unit, specifically the penalty kill. The Stars, matched up with the best power play unit in the league, lived up to the challenge, killing four of the five power plays they saw.
“The guys did a hell of a job in front,” Tiefensee added. “[By] clearing those sightlines and then blocking shots. It was awesome to see how we stuck together there.”
Tiefensee had a dominant game in his own right, making his first back-to-back start on short rest, no less. He stopped 42 of 43 shots he faced tonight, narrowly missing out on his first North American shutout.
The German goaltender’s only goal allowed came with 20 seconds left on Milwaukee’s final power play of the night in the final period.
“It would have been nice to get the added bonus there, but it's only about the wins,” Tiefensee said. “So if you get that, then the shutout is just secondary. Like, sure, you like to have one, but if you get the win, I don't care.”
The penalty kill unit did not have all the fun tonight, though. Matthew Seminoff was able to punch in the Stars' lone power play opportunity of the night just 30 seconds into the extra man advantage.
While not a special teams goal, Texas was able to employ its aggressive defense, flipping the ice shortly after Kole Lind finished up his two-minute minor for tripping. On the rush, Cross Hanas collected his initial rebound from the point, and punched in the goal in the low slot to set the tone for tonight.
“It's great to see these guys get rewarded with points like this,” Petersen said. “We've been putting in the time and trying to make an effort to play the game the right way, winning hockey. And you know, finally, we're starting with some consistent wins.”
Texas will face the best team in the AHL, the Grand Rapids Griffins, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Tonight’s Lines
Coincidence or not, the Stars were just the better team once again, cruising to a regulation 4-1 victory over the Admirals Sunday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. The victory marked Texas’ second consecutive home sweep, both coming against the Admirals.
The Stars were very aggressive all night, establishing the style of hockey Petersen has desired all season. But tonight’s officials did not show any mercy for the home team, calling Texas for five penalties, three in the first period alone.
“I thought it was way more,” goaltender Arno Tiefensee said about the penalties.
Although it felt that Texas was down a man for the majority of the game, it was a big night for the special teams unit, specifically the penalty kill. The Stars, matched up with the best power play unit in the league, lived up to the challenge, killing four of the five power plays they saw.
“The guys did a hell of a job in front,” Tiefensee added. “[By] clearing those sightlines and then blocking shots. It was awesome to see how we stuck together there.”
Tiefensee had a dominant game in his own right, making his first back-to-back start on short rest, no less. He stopped 42 of 43 shots he faced tonight, narrowly missing out on his first North American shutout.
The German goaltender’s only goal allowed came with 20 seconds left on Milwaukee’s final power play of the night in the final period.
“It would have been nice to get the added bonus there, but it's only about the wins,” Tiefensee said. “So if you get that, then the shutout is just secondary. Like, sure, you like to have one, but if you get the win, I don't care.”
The penalty kill unit did not have all the fun tonight, though. Matthew Seminoff was able to punch in the Stars' lone power play opportunity of the night just 30 seconds into the extra man advantage.
While not a special teams goal, Texas was able to employ its aggressive defense, flipping the ice shortly after Kole Lind finished up his two-minute minor for tripping. On the rush, Cross Hanas collected his initial rebound from the point, and punched in the goal in the low slot to set the tone for tonight.
“It's great to see these guys get rewarded with points like this,” Petersen said. “We've been putting in the time and trying to make an effort to play the game the right way, winning hockey. And you know, finally, we're starting with some consistent wins.”
Texas will face the best team in the AHL, the Grand Rapids Griffins, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Tonight’s Lines
Injuries, scratches and notes
Hreschuk (warm-up)
Chisholm, Wheatcroft, Martino (scratch)
Chisholm, Wheatcroft, Martino (scratch)
Tuomaala, Hyry, Krys, White (injury)
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