Texas scores huge Final Minute win over Abbotsford

In what was a goaltenders duo in Austin last night, the Stars were looking to make sure that they wouldn't get crushed like how the Rampage were crushed by Abbotsford back on Tuesday Night. Both Andrew Raycroft & Danny Taylor made some great saves to keep the scoring low last night.

But both goalies gave up goals on what looked like to be some weak turnovers, including seeing Taylor getting pulled at the 2nd intermission just over a minute after Stephen Schultz broke the scoreless deadlock.

This was one of the biggest wins of the season for the Stars as the Heat are currently leading the Western Conference by just 1 point over the Houston Aeros & Oklahoma City Barons by a single point who are currently tied for 2nd in the Division.

To show you how tight the West Division & How strong all 3 teams are, is that all 3 teams would be division leaders in every other Division in the American Hockey League except the East Division where the Hershey Bears are leading with 53 points right now.

The Texas Stars will now begin a 4 game Mid-West Road Trip as they will get it started in Michigan to play the Grand Rapids Griffins, they will also play the Milwaukee Admirals, Rockford Ice Hogs & Chicago Wolves over the course of the Road Trip.

While Abbotsford will now head to Oklahoma City for a pair of games on Saturday Evening & Sunday Afternoon as 1st Place will be on the line once again in the Western Conference. Back in November, Abbotsford & Oklahoma City split a two game series in Oklahoma City with a pair of 4-1 games.

As for other AHL Games in the Southwest this weekend. The Aeros will be in Peoria for a weekend series against the Rivermen. While the San Antonio Rampage will only have one game this weekend at home against the lowly Rockford Ice Hogs. The Rampage are looking to comeback from a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Abbotsford back on Tuesday Night.

Here's the current AHL West Division Standings

1. Oklahoma City  37 GP  23-10-4  50 PTS  110-87

2. Houston  37 GP  20-8-9  49 PTS  105-96

3. Abbotsford  37 GP  23-11-3  49 PTS  98-87

4. San Antonio  37 GP  17-18-2  36 PTS  85-107

5. Texas  35 GP  16-16-3  35 PTS  104-107

This weekends Southwest AHL Schedule

1/13

Texas Stars VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

1/14

Texas Stars VS. Milwaukee Admirals  7:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/15

Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  4:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat 1  Texas Stars 2  (0-0, 0-1, 1-1)

Press Release from the Texas Stars Website

From Austin, Texas: The Texas Stars (16-16-3 35 PTS) defeated the Abbotsford Heat (23-11-3 49 PTS) in front of 3,640 fans at the Cedar Park Center on Wednesday Night. Stars Right Wing Colton Sceviour scored the game winning goal with 12 seconds remaining in the 3rd period. Forwards Stephen Schultz also scored for Texas, extending the team's point streak at 4 games (2-0-2). Sars Goalie Andrew Raycroft stopped 32 shots, as the Stars Improved to 8-7-2 at home. Abbotsford goalie Danny Taylor stopped 33 of 34 shots faced in the 1st 40 minutes of play. Joni Orto stopped 8 shots in relief, taking the loss for the Heat. Abbotsford center Quintin Laing scored the game tying goal for the Heat. Texas travels to Grand Rapids on Friday, January 13th at 6:00 PM (CST) to face the Griffins.

After a scoreless first period, Texas scored the opening goal of the night late in the 2nd period. Forward Stephen Schultz snuck the puck past Taylor with 1:04 remaining in the period. Schultz's fourth goal of the year went unassisted off a Heat Turnover, grabbing a 1-0 lead for the Stars.

Abbotsford tied the game at 1-1 as center Quintin Laing found the back of the net at 10:55 of the 3rd period. Defensemen Joe Piskula put up the assist on Lang's tenth goal of the season. Texas Right Wing Colton Sceviour netted the game winning goal with 12 seconds left in the final frame. Center Scott Glennie set up Sceviour's seventh goal of the season, closing out the 2-1 win.

Texas will embark on a four game road trip from January 13-18, making stops in Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Chicago & Rockford. Texas will return home on Friday, January 20 to host Peoria at 7:30 PM. The first 2,500 fans to Friday's Game will receive a player magnet courtesy of Time Warner Cable. Friday is also 3-2-1 night featuring a $3 Domestic Drafts, $2 Sodas & $1 Hot Dogs. The Stars take on the Houston Aeros at home on Saturday, January 21st at 7:00 PM. The first 2,500 fans to Saturday's Game will receive a player card set compliments of Good Will. Saturday is also the State Farm Family Four Pack consisting of four tickets, four sodas & four hot dogs for $44.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available on the Tickets Page on the Texas Stars Website or by calling 512-GO-STARS (512-467-8277).

2011-2012 Season Ticket Packages are on sale now. For more info on Texas Stars Season Tickets call (512)-GO-STARS or www.texasstarshockey/tickets/. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars Front Office.