Justin Dowling gets the hat trick for the win (Photo credit: John Snyder Jr)

The Texas Stars are now in first place in the South Division and the Western Conference after their two game series with the San Antonio Rampage before the all-star break begins. They went 1-1-0 as they lost on Friday night in OT, 2-1 but Saturday night was a different story as they won 4-1.

Friday January 25, Texas at San Antonio: Stars lose 2-1 in OT

San Antonio Rampage scored the first goal one minute into the first period as Jonathan Hanzen put it over Richard Bachman’s catching glove on a 3-on-1 play. That was Hanzen’s 3rd goal of the season. Then Tyler Sloan slipped in and put a beautiful backhand over Markstrom’s glove for his 1st goal of the season and first in a Stars uniform in the 2nd period to the tie the game at 1-1. But Jon Rheault won it for San Antonio in overtime as he took advantage of a loose puck in the slot as the Rampage snap the Stars’ three game winning streak to win 2-1. Good news for the Stars as they earned a point that gives them sole possession of first place in the South Division and the Western Conference.

Saturday January 26, Texas vs San Antonio: Stars win 4-1
The Texas Stars started the scoring off as Justin Dowling with patience put his 5th goal of the season over Jacob Markstrom after dropping him to Markstrom’s knees with a deke. Then he scored his second goal of the season as he put the puck top shelf after a beautiful drop pass by Alex Chiasson. San Antonio scored on the power play that brought them back in the game as Casey Wellman scored a one timer passed Richard Bachman in the second period. While on the power play, Justin Dowling scored his third, a hattrick, as he slammed home a rebound on Markstrom. Toby Petersen sealed the game with an empty netter with 24 seconds remaining as the Stars snap the one game losing streak.

Transactions

January 24 – The Dallas Stars (NHL) loaned Carl Sneep (D) to the Texas Stars (AHL). Dallas (NHL) also recalled Tomas Vincour (RW) and returned Colton Sceviour (RW) on loan to Texas (AHL).
January 22 – Texas (AHL) released Joey Martin (LW) from his PTO, returning him to Toledo (ECHL).

Injuries

*LW Francis Wathier has missed the last 14 games.

*C Travis Morin has missed the last 7 games.

*C/RW Scott Glennie has missed the last 6 games.

STATS AFTER SATURDAY

Overall Record: 26-12-4 for 58 points

Home Record: 11-6-2-1

Away Record: 14-6-2-1

GF/GA: 124/111

Special Teams

Power Play:21.7% (3rd in the AHL)

Penalty Kill:80.3% (26 in the AHL)

Texas Stars looking for victory (Photo credit: Stephanie Robinson)

The Texas Stars are headed to San Antonio to face the Rampage in the first of a 6 game road trip.

After coming off an overtime loss at home to the Abbotsford Heat on Friday,  Cristopher Nihlstorp will likely get the start in net after his phenomenal 3rd star performance saving 28 out of the 29 shots that were faced. Nilstorp shutout the Rampage in an earlier meeting this month in a 3-0 Stars win.

In 15 games played so far, the Stars are 4 points ahead of the dead last Rampage in the South Division. Looking to increase their lead, the Stars will need to fine tune a couple of key elements in their play. Penalty kill seems to be the major one that comes to mind. Although no goals were scored short handed Friday night, the Stars should look the tighten up their penalty kill as getting the puck out of their end was a problem.

All in all the Stars are looking to start off this road trip with a solid win. Even though it is still early in the season, Texas will be looking to build their confidence and go into this leg with momentum as only 5 points separate them from Houston.

Puck drop in San Antonio is at 3:30 CST.