MIKE HEIKA: [While youngsters shine, 'old guys' still rule for Texas Stars]
"Obviously, we're the underdog in this series," Texas coach Derek Laxdal told the media earlier this week. "I love our group, the way we play. We're not fancy, we just get the job done. They're the 2019 Corvette, but we're a 1966 Mustang. Give us a little spit and shine and we look pretty good."
And the Stars have looked pretty good in the playoffs. After fighting for a spot in the postseason tournament down the stretch of the regular season, the Stars have won 11 of 15 playoff games. They defeated a good Ontario team in Round 1, knocked off Tucson, which was the top team in the Western Conference during the regular season, in Round 2, and then prevailed in the Western Conference Finals over Rockford, which came into the series with a 7-0 record.
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While the Marlies have for the most part steamrolled their way to the championship series, outscoring their opponents 48-27, including 36-13 during their current nine-game winning streak, the Stars have won seven of their 11 games in overtime.
Extra playing time is familiar territory for Texas, which ranked second during the regular season with 28 of its 76 games going to overtime. In the postseason, nine of their postseason games have gone to extra playing time, and they are 7-2.
"This group is a resilient group; it's a tight-knit group in that dressing room. If you look front to back, goaltending has been outstanding this year, and special teams have been solid. We've got a deep group that plays hard," Laxdal said. "When they are down, they don't quit. And when they are up, they don't quit. They always find a way. You look at the 37 overtime games we've played this year, that galvanizes the team pretty quick. For us moving forward, any situations we face, our group will be able to handle them.
Everybody is chipping in for the Stars. All 20 Texas skaters who played in the playoffs have registered points; 17 of the 20 skaters have scored a goal. Toronto has been balanced as well, receiving points from 19 of 21 skaters and goals from 16 of 21.
Goaltending has been big for both teams. Garret Sparks has carried the load for Toronto, posting a 1.96 goals against average and .926 save percentage. Mike McKenna has been the man in net for Texas, recording a 1.97 goals against average and .940 save percentage.
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"Mike has taken our net in the playoffs, and he's been outstanding. He's been our MVP to date right now," Laxdal said. "It's plain and simple; if you don't have goaltending in the playoffs you are not going to win, and Mike has been outstanding."
The two teams did not meet during the regular season, so there's been a lot of video work on both sides the past few days to prepare for the series. There will be a feeling out process when the series begins Saturday afternoon in Toronto.
"Teams will both settle in, and then it's on," Laxdal said.
The Texas Stars have made the Calder Cup Finals three times in their nine-season existence, winning the Cup in 2014. Their three appearances are the most among AHL teams since the Stars came into the league. The Marlies, who are the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, will be making their second appearance in the Calder Cup Finals, and they are seeking the first AHL championship in franchise history. The media spotlight will be bright in Toronto.
"I told the guys to have fun and embrace it," Laxdal said. "They've worked so hard to get to this point. We've got a good team. We're not here by luck; we're here by hard work, and we're here by having a good family atmosphere in that dressing room. Our guys are going to embrace the moment."
