CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars are the talk of the town. The first year affiliate of the Dallas Stars has taken the AHL by storm, making it all the way to the Calder Cup finals. Texas is the 11th team to reach the cup finals in its first season, beginning with the Syracuse Stars in 1937.
In the ten previous series, the first year team has won five times. Texas will try to make it six. They will meet the storied Hershey Bears, last year’s cup winner and frankly, odds on favorite to repeat if you ask those who are supposedly in the know.
Before the season started, it’s doubtful that anyone would have predicted the success this team would experience.
“Making the playoffs would have been more than adequate,” Star’s General Manager Scott White said. “You just get into these things and they take on a life of their own. You’ve got to have a little bit of luck in the playoffs. You’ve got to be healthy and we are.”
A Washington Capitals’ affiliate, the Bears set an AHL record, winning 60 games and earning a whopping 123 points. They were 34-4-0-2 at home and 26-13-0-1 on the road.
“Things ramp up another level and this is for all the marbles,” White said. “We respect their organization and will have our hands full. It’s going to be a good series.”
The Stars have been on the ice for nearly ten months and are closing in on playing game number 100. But according to Head Coach Glen Gulutzan, it’s simply not an issue. In fact, it’s a good thing.
“The longer you go, the more success you’re having,” Gulutzan said. “These things don’t come around every year. They’re special times and you have to enjoy them.”
Comeback win (Photo courtesy of Texas Stars)
“The group’s been like this all year,” White said. “The word’s been overused, but this is a resilient group. We’ve been down and out many a game and we’ve come back. In game seven in Hamilton, I think if you would have straw-polled anyone on the bench; it was grim for 52 minutes (but we came back).”
While the team’s skill is a big factor in their comeback wins, other factors, including luck are important.
“You have to have a little bit of puck luck,” Gulutzan said. “And you have to win overtime games. We got a lucky bounce in game seven against Hamilton and we won (several overtime games).”
Three current Stars, Maxime Fortunus, Greg Rallo and Ray Sawada, played for the Manitoba Moose in last year’s Calder Cup finals against Hershey. Forward Travis Morin played in the Hershey organization.
“I’m trying to tell players and coaches everything I can about what they do and their tendencies,” Fortunus said. “We expect them to come hard. They’re a good team who won it (all) last year. But we’re not trying to focus too much on what they do. We’re focused on our game plan.”
Obviously, this will be the Stars’ biggest challenge in their short history. Hershey is returning 18 players from last year’s winning team. Neither team played each other during the regular season, so it’s difficult to measure how they stack up, other than on paper. And on paper, Hershey appears to be an overwhelming favorite.
“It’s a bit of an adjustment,” Gulutzan said. “I think we’re dealing with a little bit Chicago and a little bit Hamilton. They’re an elite team with a high powered offense and a good defense. They finished first (in the league) for a reason.”
Jamie Benn (Photo by Cassandra Cruz)
“We have some big game experience,” Benn said. “I think we can take that with us. A chance to win the Calder cup is exciting, especially in our first year here. It’s very special.”
Offense and defense aside, success relates directly to the play of the goaltenders. Matt Clime, who replaced injured Brent Krahn, has been spectacular of late and, according to coach Gulutzan, will be in net against the Bears.
“There’s a lot of team character and confidence in our dressing room,” Clime said. “Obviously Hershey has a high-powered offense with four or five guys (near the top in playoff scoring). We’ve played strong defense all year and I think we’re ready for the challenge.”
Calder Cup Finals – Texas Stars vs. Hershey Bears (best of seven)
Game 1 – Thu., June 3 – Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm
Game 2 – Sat., June 5 – Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm
Game 3 – Mon., June 7 – Hershey at Texas, 7:30 pm
Game 4 – Wed., June 9 – Hershey at Texas, 7:30 pm
*Game 5 – Fri., June 11 – Hershey at Texas, 7:30 pm
*Game 6 – Mon., June 14 – Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm
*Game 7 – Wed., June 16 – Texas at Hershey, 6:00 pm
*if necessary… All times Central
Contact mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.