Texas Stars to take on Tucson in Round 2 of playoffs

The Texas Stars get back to business in the Calder Cup Playoffs this week, traveling to Tucson to open the best-of-seven Pacific Division Finals on Wednesday.
The Stars haven't played since last Tuesday when they won 1-0 at Ontario to advance to the second round of the playoffs, ousting the Reign 3-1 in the best-of-five series. Texas split the first two games in Cedar Park and then won both games in Ontario, including a double-overtime victory in Game 3.

RELATED: [Mark Stepneski gives his observations on key Dallas prospects from Round 1]
"Our guys had a great series," Texas coach Derek Laxdal told reporters. "Ontario was a big, heavy team. They had four players assigned there after Los Angeles got beat out (in the NHL playoffs) and they had a lot of offense. Our guys did an excellent job.
"It was a good series for us to play because it was a heavy series and it was a passing test for our group to get through it."
Watch: Texas Stars set to face Tucson Roadrunners in Round 2
The Stars now take on Tucson, the top team in the Pacific Division and Western Conference in the regular season based on points percentage. The Roadrunners, who ranked in the top 10 in both goals for and goals against during the regular season, ousted San Jose in the first round, 3-1, and outscored the Barracuda 16-8 in the four games.
"We're the underdog in the series," Laxdal said. "They kind of led during the season from start to finish in the division. They are a team that has a lot of offense. They skate well. They are creative in the offensive zone. And for an offensive team, they defend very well.
"It's going to be a challenge, but our guys are looking forward to it."
Tucson won three of the four regular-season with Texas, but two of those wins came in 3-on-3 overtime.

Praise for young players

Texas coach Derek Laxdal had praise for the play of his young players in the first-round series win over Ontario. He singled out forwards Denis Gurianov and Roope Hintz and defenseman Gavin Bayreuther.
"I've got to give some credit to the young guys. Denis Gurianov scored some timely goals. Roope Hintz had some timely assists. I think Gavin Bayreuther really took a step in his play, dealing with a heavy forecheck, cutbacks, moving pucks," Laxdal said.
"This is where the development of the younger guys takes a quicker turn on the learning scale. They are moving up quick. This is what it is all about. This is the best time of the year. For these guys to accelerate their careers, accelerate their development, these guys have to play in the playoffs."

Notes

Series Schedule (Pacific Division Finals)

Game 1 - Wednesday, May 2 - Texas at Tucson, 9:05 p.m. CST
Game 2 - Friday, May 4 - Texas at Tucson, 9:05 p.m. CST
Game 3- Monday, May 7 - Tucson at Texas, 7 p.m. CST
Game 4- Wednesday, May 9 - Tucson at Texas, 7 p.m. CST
\Game 5- Friday, May 11 - Tucson at Texas, 7 p.m. CST
\Game 6 - Sunday, May 13 - Texas at Tucson, 9:05 p.m. CST
\Game 7- Monday, May 14 - Texas at Tucson, 9:05 p.m. CST
\if necessary

ECHL: Idaho completes historic comeback, digs another hole

The Idaho Steelheads completed a rare feat last week, overcoming a 0-3 series deficit to defeat the Allen Americans in the first round of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Steelheads won Games 4 and 5 by identical 2-1 scores, took Game 6 by a 6-3 margin and then won 4-1 in Game 7 in Boise on Wednesday.
"We had to keep a small picture mindset period by period for four straight games, which is tough to do," Idaho coach Neil Graham told the team's official website. "Our group did it. They executed it, which speaks to the leadership and speaks to the resiliency. I am very proud of our group."
The Steelheads were just the second team in ECHL history to win a series after losing the first three games. Cincinnati did it in 2010.
But the Steelheads have put themselves in another hole in the second round of the playoffs, losing the first two games against Colorado by 1-0 and 6-2 scores. The series now shifts to Boise where the next three games are scheduled.
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.