Texas Stars Complete Sweep of Rockford, Advances to Division Final

The Texas Stars completed the only series sweep of the AHL Division Semifinals with a 4-2 win over the Rockford Icehogs as the Stars used their strong defense & Goaltending to limit the Icehogs to just 5 goals in the 4 game series.

Andrew Hutchinson lead the way with 2 goals with Mathieau Beaudoin and Warren Peters scoring in the win as well, as for Jamie Benn, he also increased his scoring total to 6 points in the 4 games with another assist.

While another couple of guys who may challenge for NHL Roster Spots for next year in Raymond Sawada and Aaron Gagon had strong games as well as they used their physicality and set up some of the goals as well.

Now the Texas Stars will get to rest up for a little bit as they await the West Division Semifinal between the Chicago Wolves & Milwaukee Admirals to wrap as they will play the 7th & deciding game tonight. The Division Final should get underway later this week.

From the Texas Stars Website: www.texasstarshockey.com

From Rockford, Illinois: The Texas Stars defeated the Rockford Icehogs on Friday Night in front of 2,403 fans at the Rockford Metro Center. The Stars completed the sweep of the Hogs, winning all four games in the best-of-7 series. Stars goalie Brent Krahn stopped 38 of 40 shots in the win. Texas Defensemen Andrew Hutchison scored two power play goals, helping the Stars advance to the 2nd round for the first time in their history.

Forwards Warren Peters and Mathieu Beaudoin also scored as Texas finished 10-2-0 against Rockford for the season. Rockford's Kyle Beach scored twice, as the Icehogs dropped their 10th straight playoff decision. Icehogs goalie goalie Corey Crawford made 20 saves on 23 Stars shots in his fourth straight loss. Texas will play the winner of the Chicago VS. Milwaukee Series. Those teams play Game 7 of their series tonight in Chicago.

The Stars scored the only goal of the 1st period, taking a 1-0 lead into the locker room. It marked the fourth straight night that Texas scored the first goal of the game. The Stars worked the puck around the Rockford Zone on the power play, striking for the power play tally at 3:56. Defensemen Andrew Hutchinson snapped a puck from the point, sending a shot through traffic and past Icehogs goalie Corey Crawford for the 1-0 lead. Hutchinson's first goal of the playoffs was set up be Landon Wilson and Travis Morin.

In the 2nd period, Texas tacked on two more goals to give the Stars a 3-0 lead after two periods of play. The Stars completed a rush with their 2nd goal of the night after a great passing play involving Jamie Benn & Perttu Lindgren, which was finished off by Mathieau Beaudoin. Lindgren dropped off the puck to the right wing and Benn feathered a pass to the left wing for Beaudoin, who buried his second goal in as many nights for a 2-0 Stars lead 8:38. Less then two minutes later, Texas struck again for a 3-0 lead at 10:23. Lindgren played the puck to the point and Hutchinson blasted a one-timer from the high slot for his 2nd of the night. Travis Morin picked up his 2nd assist on the power play goal.

In the Third period, Kyle Beach put the Rockford Icehogs on the board with his 2nd goal of the playoffs, trimming the Stars lead to 3-1 at 7:51. Beach added his second goal of the night with 25 seconds left in regulation, bringing Rockford within a goal at 3-2 lead. Texas sealed the win nine seconds left when as Warren Peters scored an empty net goal at 19:51 for the 4-2 final.

West Division Semifinal Schedule

Game 1: Rockford 1 Texas 2

Game 2: Rockford 1 Texas 3

Game 3: Texas 5 Rockford 1

Game 4: Texas 4 Rockford 2 (Texas Stars win Series 4-0)

Next up will be the winner of tonight's Game 7 between the Milwaukee Admirals & Chicago Wolves.

For Tickets for the Texas Stars: Dial 512-GO-Stars or Ticket Master at 1-800-745-3000