GAME PREVIEW - TEXAS STARS AT IOWA WILD 3.19.14

Mar 19, 2014

BOX SCORE - HERE

Texas Stars (38-17-3-5, 84 Points) at Iowa Wild (25-25-6-4, 60 points)

Wednesday’s game marks the sixth and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs. After Iowa took the inaugural meeting on Nov. 4, Texas has claimed the last four, including the previous meeting on Jan. 22 at Cedar Park Center, a 4-3 Stars shootout win. The last two games have been decided in a shootout or overtime. Texas has outscored Iowa 17-10 this year, including a 7-4 advantage at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa is 1-2-1-1 against Texas this season.

Iowa was victorious in its return to home ice after a five-game road trip. The Wild claimed its third straight win with a 2-1 advantage over San Antonio on Sunday. The victory ended Iowa’s four-game home losing skid. The Wild is 11-15-3-1 at home, having been outscored 83-64. Iowa is 4-6-0-0 over the last ten outings and 10-7-1-1 against the West Division.

Texas is coming off a 3-2 overtime win at Chicago on Sunday. The Stars come to town with five wins over the last six games. Texas has four straight road wins and has outscored its opponents 104-95 away from home. The Stars are 16-10-3-4 on the road this season and 11-7-1-0 against the Midwest Division. Texas is 7-2-0-1 over its last ten games and the club is 30-7-2-4 when scoring first. The Stars also lead the AHL with 43 first goals in 63 games. Texas is 8-10-1-1 when allowing the first goal.

Upcoming Games:

Team                          Date    Time               Radio / TV

vs. Texas                      3/19      7:05 PM             KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Grand Rapids           3/21      7:05 PM             KXNO / iHeartRadio

vs. Grand Rapids           3/22      1:05 PM             KXNO / iHeartRadio

Latest Transactions:

3/14 – Delete forward Mike Ullrich (released from PTO)

3/13 – Delete defenseman Colton Jobke and forward Taylor Matson (assigned to Orlando – ECHL)

3/5 – Delete goalie Hannu Toivonen (released from PTO)

Last Time Out:

The Iowa Wild defeated the San Antonio Rampage 2-1 in front of 5,981 fans at the Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday. Wild defenseman Steven Kampfer scored with 5:09 remaining in regulation, breaking a 1-1 tie and pushing Iowa in front. Iowa goalie Johan Gustafsson picked up his third straight win by stopping 28 of 29. Rookie forward Raphael Bussieres also scored, as Iowa improved to 11-15-3-1 at home. San Antonio goalie and Iowa native, Scott Clemmensen stopped 29 of 31.

Iowa Wild

After 60 games, forward Brad Winchester leads the team in scoring with 17 goals and 32 points in 62 games. He has one goal and two points in seven games with Iowa since he was acquired from Rockford via trade. Defenseman Jonathon Blum, as well as forwards Carson McMillan and Zack Phillips: are also among the top scorers. Blum has seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points in 51 games played with Iowa. Forward Zack Phillips has a career-high, 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 60 games played. McMillan has 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in 52 games played. Tied for second in goal scoring, Brett Bulmer (11 goals) has 17 points in 35 games played. Center Warren Peters is also among the active skaters in points with 19 (8g/11a).

Goalies John Curry and Johan Gustafsson man the nets for Iowa. Curry is 7-7-2 with a 2.31 GAA and a .928 SV%. Johan Gustafsson is 11-13-2 with a 2.90 GAA and a .908 SV %.

Iowa is 41-for-248 (16.5%) on the power play and has allowed 47 power-play goals against on 231 attempts (79.7%). The Wild is 29th in the AHL with a 2.37 goals per game average and the team sits 19th with a 2.95 goals against average.

Notables –

·      Texas is first in the AHL with nearly 37 shots per game, while Iowa is 28th at 33.42 shots allowed.

Texas Stars

Forwards Travis Morin leads the AHL in points with 74 in 55 games played. He ranks second in the AHL with 45 assists on the year.  He is also second in power-play assists (26) and power-play points (36). The team is without leading goal scorer Colton Sceviour, who is with the parent club in Dallas.  Prior to his departure, Sceviour ranked among the league leaders in goals (32), points (63), shots (228), game-winning goals (6) and power-play goals (13). Forward Curtis McKenzie ranks first among all first-year players in points and third overall for Texas. He is second for AHL rookies in assists with 35. McKenzie has 21 goals and 56 points in 63 games. Forward Chris Mueller is also in Dallas. He ranked fourth on the team in points with 54 in 58 games played. Mike Hedden adds career-highs with 21 goals and 43 points in 63 games.

Goalies Christopher Nilstorp and Jack Campbell spit time in net. Nilstorp is 21-12-4 with a 2.58 GAA and a .915 SV %.  Campbell is 8-1-0 with a 1.10 GAA and a .957 SV %.

Texas is tops in the AHL, going 73-for-278 (26.3%) on the power play. The team is second best on the road (25.5%). The team has allowed 34 power-play goals against on 248 attempts (86.3%). The Stars are first in the AHL with a 3.52 goals per game average and the team sits ninth with a 2.71 goals against average. 

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