Strong finish pushes Texas Stars to second place in Pacific Division

The Texas Stars picked up five of six points in the final week of the regular season to finish in second place in the AHL's Pacific Division and secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Stars picked up points in 11 of their final 13 games (6-2-5) and finished with a 38-24-14 record, climbing up from a battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division to that second-place finish.

"Our guys had a great season," Texas coach Derek Laxdal told reporters after Saturday's regular-season finale. "We battled all year with call-ups and injuries. That group in there, now it's all about them. It's all about the playoffs."
The Stars begin the playoffs this week when they host Ontario Thursday and Friday in the first two games of the Pacific Division semifinal series, which is a best of five. The Stars were 1-1-2 in the four-game season series against Ontario, and all four games were close.
"Ontario is a good hockey club," Laxdal said. "They are big, heavy, and physical. We're going to have to battle through some adversity. For us, right now, it's about getting prepped and moving forward."
Games 1 and 2 are in Cedar Park before the series shifts to California for Games 3 and 4. A fifth and deciding game, if necessary, will be played in Cedar Park.

Series Schedule

Game 1 -Thursday, Apr. 19 - Ontario at Texas, 7 p.m. CST
Game 2 -Friday, Apr. 20 - Ontario at Texas, 7 p.m. CST
Game 3 - Sunday, Apr. 22 - Texas at Ontario, 5 p.m. CST
Game 4 -Tuesday, Apr. 24 - Texas at Ontario, 9 p.m. CST*
Game 5 -Monday, Apr. 30 - Ontario at Texas, 7 p.m. CST*
\if necessary*

Wednesday, April 11: Texas 3, Grand Rapids 2 (OT)

Travis Morin scored 1:44 into overtime as Texas defeated Grand Rapids, 3-2, Wednesday at H-E-B Center to run its points streak to five games (3-0-2). Denis Gurianov and Greg Rallo scored in the second period to spot the Stars to a 2-0 lead, but the Griffins tied the game later in the period. After a scoreless third, Gavin Bayreuther set up Morin on a breakaway in overtime. Mike McKenna stopped 25 of 27 shots in his first game back from his stint in the NHL.

Friday, April 13: Texas 4, San Antonio 2

Denis Gurianov scored two goals and Mike McKenna stopped 33 shots as the Stars topped San Antonio, 4-2, in San Antonio. Colin Markison and Andrew O'Brien also scored for Texas which extended its points streak to six games (4-0-2).

Saturday, April 14: San Antonio 4, Texas 3 (SO)

The Stars closed out the regular season with a 4-3 loss in Cedar Park Saturday. The point earned by Texas and a loss by Ontario clinched second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the Stars. Sheldon Dries, Tony Calderone, and Brian Flynn scored for Texas. It was the first AHL goal for Calderone, who was signed to an entry-level deal by Dallas last week. Landon Bow made 20 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped four of five in the shootout.

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Notes

Texas vs. Ontario Statistical Tidbits

• Texas averaged 2.93 goals per game, ranking 17th in the league.
• Ontario averaged 2.94 goals per game, ranking 16th in the league.
• Texas allowed 3.04 goals per game, ranking 20th.
• Ontario allowed 2.85 goals per game, ranking 11th.
• Texas ranked 16th on the power play at 17.5 percent.
• Ontario ranked fifth on the power play at 19.1 percent.
• Texas ranked 27th on the penalty kill at 78.9 percent.
• Ontario ranked 25th on the penalty kill at 80.3 percent.

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Texas Lineup

Here is the Texas lineup from the last game.
Travis Morin - Jason Dickinson - Joel L'Esperance
Remi Elie - Roope Hintz - Brian Flynn
Curtis McKenzie - Justin Dowling - Tony Calderone
Denis Gurianov - Sheldon Dries - Robbie Payne
Dillon Heatherington - Brent Regner
Andrew Bodnarchuk - Reece Scarlett
Gavin Bayreuther - Niklas Hansson
Landon Bow
Mike McKenna

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Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads find themselves down 2-0 in their first-round playoff series against the Allen Americans, who won Friday and Saturday in Boise by scores of 3-2 and 5-4. The best-of-seven series now shifts to Allen where Games 3-5 are scheduled. Stars prospect Philippe Desrosiers started the first game of the series and stopped 21 of 24 shots in the 3-2 loss.

Series Schedule (Americans lead 2-0)

Game 1 - Friday, April 13 - Allen at Idaho: Americans 3, Steelheads 2
Game 2 -Saturday, April 14 - Allen at Idaho: Americans 5, Steelheads 4
Game 3 -Wednesday, April 18 - Idaho at Allen, 7:05 p.m CST
Game 4 -Friday, April 20 - Idaho at Allen, 7:05 p.m. CST
Game 5 -Sunday, April 22 - Idaho at Allen, 6:05 p.m. CST*
Game 6 -Tuesday, April 24 - Allen at Idaho, 8:10 p.m. CST*
Game 7 - Wednesday, April 25 - Allen at Idaho, 8: 10 p.m. CST*
\If necessary
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.*