Texas Stars
The Texas Stars entered the week without a majority of their key players as they were with the Dallas Stars. The gutted roster didn’t really miss a beat though as they won two of their three games last week and showed a season high outburst of offense in their final two games.
The Stars dropped their first game of the week 4-1 but bounced back with a vengeance as they won their next two games by a combined 14-8 margin. The defense was a bit shaky as the team was without Brenden Dillon, Jordie Benn and goalie Cristopher Nilstorp, but the offense was there to pick up the team.
Nearly every forward on the team had a goal during the week (including Austin Smith’s first of his AHL career) and the standout was Alex Chiasson, who had three goals and two assists during the week.
Jack Campbell started two of the three games last week and went 1-1-0 while stopping 52 of 59 shots. Richard Bachman got the last start of the week (his first action in a long time) and stopped 30 of 34 for the win.
The Stars finish up their long six-game road trip this week and currently sit fourth in the Western Conference (second in the division).
Jan. 21 – Texas Stars @ Rockford IceHogs
Jan. 25 – Texas Stars @ San Antonio Rampage
Jan. 26 – San Antonio Rampage @ Texas Stars
CHL Prospects
Radek Faksa – Kitchener Rangers
Faksa’s return to the Rangers has been rather quiet. He played in two of the Kitchener’s three games this past week and was only able to manage one assist. He could still be slightly tired from playing in the WJC and then moving straight to Stars training camp so it might take a week or two until he’s set again.
Season totals: 32 games, 7 goals, 19 assists, 22 PIM, +0 rating
Jan. 25 – Erie Otters @ Kitchener Rangers
Jan. 26 – Kitchener Rangers @ Erie Otters
Jan. 27 – Kitchener Rangers @ Guelph Storm
Brett Ritchie – Niagara IceDogs
Like Faksa, Ritchie also had a quiet week as he only had one assist in two games. He’s also just returning from the WJC and Stars training camp so he may be a little gassed.
The IceDogs are in a major slump (largely a result of Ritchie and Ryan Strome’s absences) and have gone 2-7-0-1 in their last ten games. They’ve dropped to sixth in their conference (fourth in the division) and need to pick things up again or the playoffs could slip out of their grasp.
Season totals: 35 games, 28 goals, 24 assists, 32 PIM, +26 rating
Jan. 24 – Barrie Colts @ Niagara IceDogs
Jan. 26 – Saginaw Spirit @ Niagara IceDogs
Jan. 27 – Niagara IceDogs @ Brampton Battalion
Gemel Smith – Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack had a fine week by winning all three of their games, but Smith was very quiet with only one assist in those three wins.
Smith has managed only six points so far this month (he had six last month as well) and hasn’t scored a goal since Jan. 9. He’s had one point in three of the last four games and is in a bit of a mini-slump.
Season totals: 45 games, 18 goals, 24 assists, 44 PIM, +16 rating
Jan. 23 – Barrie Colts @ Owen Sound Attack
Jan. 25 – Owen Sound Attack @ Guelph Storm
Jan. 26 – Guelph Storm @ Owen Sound Attack
Matej Stransky – Saskatoon Blades
Stransky might have had the best week of any Stars’ CHL prospect (though it’s not saying much) with only two assists in three games.
The two assists were only his third and fourth points of the month and broke a three game pointless streak that he was on. He hasn’t scored a goal since Dec. 29 and has really struggled to even get close to what he did back in December (11 goals, 19 total points).
Season totals: 45 games, 22 goals, 28 assists, 49 PIM, +7 rating
Jan. 22 – Saskatoon Blades @ Brandon Wheat Kings
Jan. 23 – Edmonton Oil Kings @ Saskatoon Blades
Jan. 27 – Moose Jaw Warriors @ Saskatoon Blades
Mike Winther – Prince Albert Raiders
Winther had one goal in two games last week as he continues his steady points pace. He now has two goals (six points) on the month. Nothing too flashy out of Winther, but he’s managed to stay pretty consistent.
The Raiders are in the midst of a six-game road trip this week.
Season totals: 42 games, 16 goals, 23 assists, 47 PIM, +21 rating
Jan. 23 – Prince Albert Raiders @ Prince George Cougars
Jan. 25 – Prince Albert Raiders @ Kamloops Blazers
Jan. 26 – Prince Albert Raiders @ Kelowna Rockets
Branden Troock – Seattle Thunderbirds
Troock had one goal in three games last week for the Thunderbirds. Troock should finally have his legs under him after missing a month and a half of the season earlier this year. He’s nearly a month into his return now and has played alright.
He started December well but has slowed down and has only two points (both goals) in his last six games.
Season totals: 19 games, 5 goals, 6 assists, 19 PIM, -5 rating
Jan. 22 – Seattle Thunderbirds @ Tri-City Americans
Jan. 25 – Seattle Thunderbirds @ Kelowna Rockets
Jan. 25 – Kelowna Rockets @ Seattle Thundebirds
Troy Vance – Prince Edward Island Rocket
Vance is still adjusting to his new surroundings after his recent trade and had an okay week. He had one assist in three games and had an even +/- rating, but his team managed to only win one of those three games.
The assist is his first point with the Rocket and only his second point of the month. His other assist came on Jan. 5 when he was still with Victoriaville.
The Rocket finish up a six-game road trip this week before Vance finally gets to experience home ice with the team.
Season totals: 39 games, 3 goals, 15 assists, 41 PIM, -6 rating (With Victoriaville)
6 games, 0 goals, 1 assists, 2 PIM, -1 rating (With PEI)
Jan. 23 – PEI Rocket @ Moncton Wildcats
Jan. 26 – PEI Rocket @ Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Maxime Lagace – Prince Edward Island Rocket
Lagace started one of the Rocket’s three games last week and stopped 36 of 41 shots in a 5-2 loss. Lagace has now lost four straight games and has allowed 18 goals on 109 shots (.835 SV%).
Season totals: 24 games, 9-10-1-0, 86 goals allowed, 4.17 GAA, .868 SV%, 1 shutout
