Austin Smith & Jack Campbell Interviews on Austin Radio Station

As the newest members of the Dallas Stars Org. both Jack Campbell & Austin Smith were interviewed on Austin's KLBJ 93.7 which is one of Austin's best known Classic Rock Stations earlier this afternoon.

It was only a few minutes but it gives listeners a vision of what they were coming through as they were on their way to the Professional game as both players will be looking to make their Professional Debut on Friday against the Oklahoma City Barons.

He was interviewed on the B-DOE Show which comes on from 3-7 PM Weekdays on 93.7 KLBJ, Austin's Classic Rock.

Here's the Austin Smith &; Jack Campbell Interviews

93.7 KLBJ FM Classic Rock Austin

Is Austin Smith the NCAA's Best Hockey Player

This is the Question that was posted yesterday by Jason Cohen at the Texas Monthly Daily Post, which is kind of like the Daily Newspaper portion of the Texas Monthly Magazine. Going into the final weekend of the ECAC Hockey Regular Season which includes games against RPI coming up on Friday Night where Smith had a 4 goal game the last time the two teams played back on February 4th in a 8-3 victory.

Saturday Night, the Raiders will be ending the regular season on Saturday Night against Conference Leading Union where they looking to show that they are NCAA Tournament worthy, even if they don't win the ECAC Championship on, March 17. Many NCAA Hockey Experts are thanking that the ECAC could be a single team conference in this year's tournament when the NCAA Hockey Tournament 1st Round Games will be announced on March 18 (the day after the Conference Championships wrap up).

Colgate's main goal this weekend is to hold on to a top 4 spot as the gap from 3rd Place Colgate to 8th Place St. Lawrence is 4 points. If the Raiders do hold on to a top 4 spot, not only would that get them a 1st Round Bye but would also guarantee themselves a home series during the Quarterfinals which take place from March 9-11. That would be a huge advantage for the Raiders as they not only look to win the Conference but also to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. When they were in the NCAA Hockey Tournament in 2005, the Raiders lost, 6-5, to the WCHA's Colorado College Tigers.

However, his feature takes a look at his chances of possibly winning the Hobey Baker Award this year and compares to him to other major individual achievements like Robert Griffin III winning the Heisman Trophy as well as former Texas Longhorn Basketball Players T.J. Ford (2003) & Kevin Durant (2007) winning the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Awards in College Basketball over the last decade.

Texas Monthly Magazine

Texas Monthly Daily Post

Here's the Final Weekend of the Colgate Hockey Schedule, as well as the ECAC Playoffs Schedule.

2/24: VS. RPI  6:00 PM

2/25: VS. Union  6:00 PM

3/2-4: ECAC 1st Round (Best of 3 @ Campus Sites)

3/9-11: ECAC Quarterfinals (Best of 3 @ Campus Sites)

3/16-17: ECAC Championship Weekend (In Atlantic City, N.J.) 

By Jason Cohen of the Texas Monthly Daily Post

Baylor's Robert Griffin III brought the Heisman Trophy back to Texas in December. University of Texas hoops stars T.J. Ford & Kevin Durant have both won the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. And now a Dallas Native - and future Dallas Stars Player - just might win the biggest individual prize in college hockey: the Hobey Baker Award.

That's right: A hockey player. From Dallas. Named Austin.

Now it should be noted that Texas doesn't even have an NCAA College Program. And the state's two most famous NHL Players are NHL Hall of Fame defensemen Brian Letch, who was merely born in Corpus Christi, and Buffalo Sabres defensemen Tyler Myers, a 6'8" behemoth from Katy who spent a few years as a Houston Aeros Fan before moving with his family to Canada at the age of ten.

But we get to legitimately claim Austin Smith, the 23 year old senior at Colgate University. He learned the game in Texas, played all of his youth hockey around the metroplex (Hi Tim), as well as two years at Dallas Jesuit High, to finish his development, Smith spent two years at a Connecticut Prep School and one season in a Canadian Junior League before entering Colgate, a small private school in Hamilton, New York (which also produced Texas Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong), in 2008.

By then, Smith was already good enough to be selected by his hometown team, the Dallas Stars, in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL Draft. Now he leads the country with 33 goals in 32 games - ten more goals then the next player behind him.

But will that be enough? Last week, Inside College Hockey, elevated Smith to the top of it's Hobey Tracker feature. He has sometimes led, but is currently running third, in Hobey Baker Fan Voting (which only counts for one percent of the awards final voting tally), behind Spencer Abbot of the University of Maine and Jack Connolly of the University of Minnesota-Duluth - players from two larger, more historic hockey programs that boast six past Hobey Winners and three National Championships between them.

In that sense, Smith is actually more of an underdog then RG3, who at least played in the Big 12. A closer comparison would be to Case Keenum of the University of Houston, who put up record setting numbers in a conference that was outside college football's power circle.

As Brian Sullivan of U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Wrote:

[Smith] has to be considered - at this point - a no brainer for the Hobey Hat Trick [Editor's Note: i.e., one of the three finalist]. It makes me sad to consider that where he plays will likely work against him.

[Other Players] are considered - by many narrow minded eyes - the "real" contenders, because they play in Championship conferences: Hockey East & and the WCHA, in these cases. They play real competition, where areas ECAC Hockey is well, somehow, not.

And I say, that's baloney.

Sullivan goes on to highlight some of the Smith's best performances against teams from other conferences. He also dismisses the fact that Connolly and Abbot have more "points". (That is goals plus assists) then Smith, not only because goals are more important, but because it's easier to pile up assists, both in practice (If your the second to last guy to touch the puck before a goal is scored you get one, even if you went off your skate) and conspiracy theory: "Some rinks/teams/scorers have a reputation for handing out assists with unjustifiable exuberance, and there's no time like a Hobey race to inflate the states at every possible opportunity," Sullivan writes.

Below, Smith is interviewed for Colgate's Youtube Channel. Like many hockey players, he's both humble and milquetoast (but check out that sweet mustache):

Austin Smith Interview

Colgate Raiders Hockey

Austin Smith Profile

ECAC Hockey

Fan voting for the Hobey Baker Award continues through March 1. The Hobey Winner will be announced on April 6 during the Frozen Four Weekend in Tampa, Florida (Florida? There's Hockey in Florida?!).

Aeros Goalie Matt Hacket on The Pipeline Show

Houston Aeros Goalie Matt Hackett was on The Pipeline Show back on Tuesday Night to chat about his strong run in the AHL Playoffs by getting to the Calder Cup Final. His great season so far this year which includes being named to the AHL All Star Game and his first career NHL Call Up he had in early December which included getting a shutout against the San Jose Sharks back on December 6.

Matt Hacket Interview

Full 1/31 Episode

The Pipeline Show Website

The Team 1260

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, The Pipeline Show has become one of the most well known Radio Shows in North America to cover the Canadian Hockey League, the NCAA Hockey & Minor Pro to track the best young players as they make their way to the NHL. In addition to the following these leagues, the show also covers some of the biggest events in North America including the NCAA Frozen 4 in April, the CHL Memorial Cup in May, the NHL Draft in June and the World Junior Hockey Championships around the Christmas Holidays.

In addition to these big events, other events include the RBC Cup which is the Canadian Junior A National Championships, the USHL Clark Cup Championship, the AHL Calder Cup among League Championships. Also other international events include the IIHF U18 World Championships and the U17 World Hockey Challenge

The Pipeline Show comes on twice a week from 8-10 PM on Tuesday Nights and 11 AM-1 PM on Saturdays. To listen live, click on the Team 1260 Website and be sure to listen live. If you can't listen live, go on The Pipeline Show Website, select "Media Archive" select the season you want and you can listen to a huge archive of past and recent interviews from the shows history.



Matt Donovan Update from Bridgeport

Bridgeport Sound Tigers Roster Photo: Courtsey of the AHL & Bridgepot Sound Tigers.

Here's an update from Bridgeport Sound Tigers Beat Writer Michael Fornabaio of The Connecticut Post to discuss the latest about Matt Donovan's progress as we apparoach the American Hockey League All Star Break this upcoming weekend. Prior to the All Star Break, the Sound Tigers have 3 games left in the Pre-All Star Game portion of their schedule against the St. Johns Ice Caps tomorrow night, then it's a weekend road trip to Western New York as they will play the Adirondack Phantoms on Friday Night & the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday Night.

The big thing that is showing up of course is the scoring surge that he has had since New Years Day that's been a big part of the Sound Tigers 8 game winning streak that has brought the Sound Tigers from near the bottom of the AHL's Eastern Conference all the way up to 10th Place and are just 3 back of the Portland Pirates who currently sit in the 8th & Final Playoff Spot. In addition, the team is also tied with the Adirondack Phantoms as they look to go into the All-Star Game with some momentum on their side when they return to action after the All Star Game on February 3 against the Portland Pirates.

Here's a samplaing of what Michael Fornabaino had to say when he had a discussion with Bridgeport Sound Tigers Head Coach Brent Thompson. First it's about him getting used to the Pro Game.

"Matt Donovan's been taking strides, really, because he's attentive to his details," Bridgeport Coach Brent Thompson said. "His Practice habits are improving. His defensive coverage is improving."

Other then his Increasing Point Totals, one of the other big improving stats has been an improving +/- stats. His Plus/Minus has improved from a -8, however since Mid-December, was when his defensive coverage begin to click and improve and has gotten into the + Side of the +/- Ranking over a +2 overall right now.

Here's some comments from Donovan about his season and his improvements since the start of the season back in October and the 6 games he played to end the 2010-2011 season last season.

"It's just playing, trying to play harder    to be harder to play against," Donovan said. "I'm trying to take the body more, use my size."

Fornabaio also mentioned that was still some work he had to do in certain parts of his game before he has a strong chance of making the NHL Full Time, but also mentioned that he's getting more consistent & more comfortable in a pro setting. However, his great offensive surge has also helped him climb up the Defensive Scoring Leaders List which has him just outside the top 10 right now (Currently 15th). '

They will be looking to Donovan to continue to be a strong defensive scoring presence for the Sound Tigers over the 2nd half of the season to help the team reach the playoffs. In a recent Q&A with Oklahoman Magazine, Donovan said mentioned this about his goals for his 1st season. Which includes getting a NHL Callup with the Islanders and looking to get the Islanders to the playoffs as well as this year being a strong fonduation for a long and strong Career. "I'm hoping this is the first year in a long professional career. I'm just working my hardest, just the way I've grown up. Hopefully I will be called up [to the Islanders] sooner or later this year. I wouldn't have signed if I didn't think I had a good chance playing in the NHL this year."

Well find out where he is as the 2nd half of the season begins to unfold. But he has really been coming up on the Islanders Depth Chart, even as recently as a month ago, Fornabaio thinks he's biggest competition will come from Calvin De Haan who's already has had a Call Up for a game and Dylan Reese who is beginning to emerge on the Islanders Staff and starting to get some time among the top 4 defensemen.

Brent Thompson also mentioned about he's looking to evolve during the 2nd half of the season and getting the team to the playoffs this season after missing out last year. The last time the Sound Tigers made the playoffs was in 2010 when they got elinmated by the eventual Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears in the 1st Round in 5 games

"He obivously has offensive gifts," Thompson said. "He's jumping in the play at right times. He's shooting the puck much better, which is a tribute to (assistant coaches) Eric Boguniecki and Matt Bertani working on a day-to-day basis. It's little details like that."

Coach Thompson also said that Donovan's defensive work has helped him generate chances for offense. Donovan has had some great games as his hard work is beginning to pay off as he has had 3 multi point games; including a three assists game against the Portland Pirates on 1/6.

"I can hardly wait to see, come playoff time, where he's evolved," Thompson Said.



Austin Smith Q&A with the New England Hockey Journal

Here's a look at yet another article for Dallas Stars Prospect & Coppell Native Austin Smith as he looks to show the country that he is becoming a major contender for the Hobey Baker Award and looks to be the 1st Born & Trained Player to make the Dallas Stars.

Also in addition to the Austin Smith Q&A. The website USCHO had their 1st Hobey Baker Watch Feature of the season and it features the debate over Fan Voting.

The Q&A Article was done by Dan Guttenplan of the New England Hockey Journal

At last look, Colgate Senior Forward Austin Smith was leading the fan voting for the Hobey Baker Award.

Although the honor doesn't even come close to clinching the award for Smith - the fan vote only accounts for one percent of the overall balloting - it does prove that college hockey fans have taken note of Smith's Breakout Season.

Smith leads the nation in goals (22), averaging a goal per game for the Raiders. He has already more then doubled his goal tally from last season (10), which was a struggle for both him and his Colgate Teammates. This season, Smith has the Raiders (12-8-2 overall, 6-4-0 ECAC Hockey) in the hunt for an ECAC Title. As recently as last week, Colgate was ranked nationally before falling to Princeton & Quinnipiac over the weekend.

Smith, who was drafted by his hometown Dallas Stars in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, recently shared his thoughts on the Hobey Baker Award with the New England Hockey Journal.

Are you surprised to be leading the fan voting for the Hobey Baker?

"The School here is doing a good job of getting the word out. It helps that all the parents of players are voting. I guess people back home in Dallas found out and got online to vote.

How Satisfying has the season been after the way your struggled with injuries last year?

I had  torn labrums in both hips. I knew that going into my junior year. I found out mid-summer, and I knew I couldn't get both done before the season. I picked one and decided to do other one after the season. I probably came back too soon. I played with one torn labruim all season, and it was kind of a mess. I got through it, and it made me better for the experience.

Do you regret playing? Should you have red-shirted?

No, I wish I would have figured it out sooner. If I had surgery right after my sophomore season, it would have healed before I came back for the pre-season. I came back in 12 or 13 weeks, and I needed 16-20. It was way to soon. I was at 70 percent. The big thing with hockey is confidence. I got off to a slow start, the team was struggling, and it all compounded.

When did you start to get your confidence back?

I felt good at the end of last year, at least confidence-wise. After the second surgery, I felt 100 percent. We went to Europe over the summer and had a team bonding experience. We played really well over there. We came back to school with a new spirit. The first game. I felt like the same player I was during my sophomore year. As the year has gone on, I've been exploring more of my potential.

Is winning the Hobey Baker a goal for you?

Going into my freshman year, a Princeton Assistant Coach - John Riley - recruited me. He told me I'd win the Hobey Baker one day. I never had any serious thoughts of it until then. Now, with 22 goals, I'm kind of a contender. I know in the back of my mind, it's tough to win it from the ECAC. The last time an ECAC Player was 1989. That's also the last time an ECAC Team won the national title. If it's going to happen, it'll happen because we made it all the way through the tournament. Traditionally, the award goes to a player that takes his team to the final four or eight.

Is the fan vote important to you, or do you see it as only one percent of the ballot?

I think it's cool that people care and pay attention to it. It's good for our league because the ECAC doesn't get much recognition. It's good for our team and our small school. For me, coming after a disappointing junior season, it shows that all of the hard work is paying off. If the team has a strong finish, I feel I'm a good contender for the award on nights when I'm playing well and executing. If we make a good push as a team, I like my chances.

Game of the Week

Union VS. Yale, Friday

Union (12-5-6 overall, 6-2-3 ECAC) would appear to be the clear favorite on paper on what has been a down year for the Elis (8-7-2 overall, 5-4-1 ECAC). But for whatever reason, the Elis have had a Dutchmen's number of late.

Yale beat Union in the ECAC Tournament last season before posting a 4-0 victory at the Schenectady this season. The Elis has also won the last two meetings at Ingalis Rink.

ECAC Hockey Power Rankings

1. Cornell (10-4-3 Overall, 7-1-2 ECAC) Fans of the Big Red will be throwing fish and newspapers on the ice Saturday when Cornell hosts Harvard.

2. Union (12-5-6 Overall, 6-2-3 ECAC): After posting a 2-0 shutout against Harvard at Fenway Park, Friday, sophomore goaltender Troy Grosenick is looking like a man who plays big on the biggest stage.

3. Quinnipiac (13-8-5 Overall  5-4-4 ECAC): The Bobcats have escaped a brutal early 2012 schedule with victories over Yale & Colgate, a tie at Brown, and a 3-2 loss to Cornell. Not bad.

4. Colgate (12-8-2 Overall, 6-4-0 ECAC): The Raiders have lost four in a row, including ECAC losses to Quinnipiac & Princeton last weekend.

5. Yale (8-7-2 Overall, 5-4-1 ECAC): Every time the Elis seem primed to turn their season around, they have a weekend like the last one when they collected one point in a set of road games at St. Lawrence & Clarkson.

6. Harvard (4-6-6 Overall, 3-4-4 ECAC): The Crimson have not yet won a game in 2012. They are no easy wins this weekend with a road set at Colgate and Cornell.

7. Clarkson (10-10-5 Overall, 4-4-3 ECAC): A Couple of home games did Clarkson some good last weekend. The squad collected three points in a home set against Brown & Yale and pushed it to 7-2-1 at home this season.

8. Brown (7-7-3 Overall, 4-4-2 ECAC): The Bears jumped from 11th place in the ECAC Standings to eighth place after collecting three points last weekend with a tie against Clarkson and a win over St. Lawrence.

9. St. Lawrence (8-12-3 Overall, 4-6-1 ECAC): The Saints have to be disappointed with their results last weekend. When they collected one one point in a home set with Yale and Brown after going 3-0-2 in their previous five games.

10. Dartmouth (7-7-2 Overall, 4-4-1 ECAC): The Big Green have been outscored 11-2 in their last two games against Union & UNH. UNH Took back the RiverStone Cup from Dartmouth, which won the trophy in 2010.

11. Princeton (6-10-5, 5-8-2 ECAC): The Tigers had their best weekend of the year at home with a victory over Colgate and a tie against Cornell. To bad the Tigers only have seven league games remaining.

12. RPI (4-17-1, 1-8-1 ECAC): The Engineers need to clearn up a few disciplinary issues. In a 5-1 loss to Union Saturday, they allowed four special teams goals. However, the teams each recorded 40 shtos in the contest.

Supporting Austin Smith for the Hobey Baker Trophy



Austin Smith Photo from the Alliance Bulldogs Alumni Page

A twitter page has started up to help support Austin Smith for the Hobey Baker Trophy is now up and running. This is for the Fan Voting portion of the Hobey Baker Process that will go on through March 4. The Fan vote will only count for 1% of the total, but every vote matters as the NCAA Hockey Regular Season goes on. If Austin were to win the Hobey Baker Award, he would be the first player from Texas to ever win the award as he looks to not only win the Hobey Baker this year, but also show the Dallas Stars Organazition that he is ready for the Professional Ranks and looks to be the 1st Born & Trained Player from Texas to play for the Dallas Stars.

You can vote once a day during the process, so tell your follow hockey fans and help support Austin Smith as he is leading the NCAA in goals with 22 goals (a Goal a game pace) as well as being in a 3 way tie for 2nd with Drew Shore (University of Denver) & Spencer Abbot (University of Maine). Hes also just 1 point back Jack Connolly of Minnesota-Duluth which currently has 36 points and leading the NCAA right now.

The voting will end on March 1, then the Coaches & Media will have their say on who they think will be among the Top 10 coming up on March 15 (2 Days before the Conference Championships). Then of those 10, the field will be cut from 10 to their Final 3 on March 29 who will be making their way to Tampa, Florida during the Frozen Four Weekend where the winner will be televised live (TV Network TBD).

As for this weekend, the Colgate Raiders will play Harvard tonight & Dartmouth tomorrow night at home as the Raiders look to rebound after a rough weekend that had 6-2 & 7-1 losses last weekend. The team also fell from 2nd to 4th Place in the Conference this weekend as well.

Hobey Baker Award Website

Hobey Baker Award Fan Ballot

Austin Smith Colgate Profile

Colgate Raiders Schedule



Strong Game by Mark Arcobello leads Barons to Convincing Win

A great start on the Oklahoma City Barons 3 Game Road Trip to Rochester & Lake Erie up in Cleveland as both teams are desperate to get into the AHL Western Conference Playoff Picture with some great momentum before the AHL All Star Break on 1/29-30 up in Atlantic City, NJ. Last night, the Barons nearly lead a huge majority of the game with the exception of the 1st 7 Minutes where Rochester's Paul Szczechura scored 7 minutes in.

However, the Barons scored 5 unanswered goals in the 1st & 2nd Periods to eventually lead to a 5-2 Barons Victory in their 1st of the 2 game series up in Western New York to take their overall record to 25-11-5 which now gives the Barons a 4 Point Lead in the West Division, a 5 point lead over 2nd Place & Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers and is now dead even with the Hershey Bears for the best overall record in the AHL.

What a night for Mark Arcobello who was a very easy choice for the 1st Star of the Game with an impressive 4 point night (2 goals, 2 assists) and has already surpassed his full season total from last year where he scored 22 points 26 games (He currently has 6 Goals & 17 Assists so far this season).

This road trip is important for the Barons not only to get some momentum going into the All Star Break, but to finally get some breathing room from both the Houston Aeros & Abbotsford Heat who have been sweating it out for the West Division Lead all season long to this point. Just 4 games left till the break and the Barons are off to a great start on their current 3 game road trip that will see them playing the Rochester Americans again tonight at 6:35 PM Tonight. Then it's off to Cleveland to play the Lake Erie Monsters on Saturday Night to wrap up the Road Trip.

After the road trip, the Barons will return home for a Friday/Saturday Home Weekend to play the Houston Aeros on 1/27 & the Texas Stars on 1/28 to wrap up the Pre All-Star Game portion of their schedule. Could this be the time that the Barons make a stand and show that they could be the best team in the West Division?

Here's the Oklahoma City Barons Upcoming Schedule till the All Star Break

1/20: Oklahoma City Barons VS. Rochester Americans  6:35 PM

1/21: Oklahoma City Barons VS. Lake Erie Monsters  6:30 PM

1/27: Houston Aeros VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

1/28: Texas Stars VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Oklahoma City Barons 5  Rochester Americans 2  (2-1, 3-1, 0-0)

Press Release by Jim Bryers on the Oklahoma City Barons Website

From Rochester, N.Y.: Marc Arcobello matched the season high with a four point game on two goals and two assists in Oklahoma City's 5-2 win over the Rochester Americans on Thrusday at Blue Cross Arena in the opener of the three game trip.



Oklahoma City matches Hershey for the most points (55) in the AHL and builds its West Division Lead to four points over Houston and Abbotsford. The Barons have a league high 25 wins at 25-11-5. Rochester falls to 17-14-8.

Arcobello's four points matched his AHL Career high for a single game, he also had two goals and two assists on March 11, 2011 against Grand Rapids.

The Barons scored five unanswered goals after Rochester opened the scoring with a rebound goal by Szczechura at 7:53 of the first period.

The Barons responded to take a 2-1 lead after one period as Hunter Tremblay received an Arcobello pass down low and tucked it past David Leggo. Arcobello put Oklahoma City in front 2-1 at 18:41 on a point shot during a delayed penalty with the Barons utilizing an extra attacker. Chris VandeVelde, who came on to the ice in that sequence to replace Yann Dennis and Tremblay picked up assists.

Arcobello snapped the Barons 0/30 power play drought with a man advantage goal at 2:38 of the 2nd period. Phillippe Cornet in his own rebound for his 18th of the season to extend the lead to 4-1 at 5:30 of the second period, followed by Teemu Hartikainen's ninth of the campigan at 18:41 on a snap shot from a steep angle.

Travis Turnbull concluded the scoring 11 seconds later on a breakaway.

Oklahoma City out-shoot Rochester 34-22. Danis improved to 18-6-1, while Leggio fell to 11-10-1.

The same two teams meet on Friday in Rochester at 6:35 PM CST.



San Antonio grinds past Abbotsford 2-1

The Rampage took advantage of a shorthanded Abbotsford Heat who has been battling with the Houston Aeros & Oklahoma City Barons for the Western Conference Lead. On a night where the Heat were forced to play a man down and had another injury to Desbeins Guillaume early on in the 3rd period. That shows that the Heat are a very deep team despite the injuries to stay within striking distance. Also the San Antonio Rampage are continuing to prove that they have few guys that can score as they continue to be dead last in scoring with just 89 goals in their 39 games this season (2.28 Goals Per Game).

The Heat their Southwest Road trip 2-3 with 3 of their 5 games finishing in a 1 goal game where they went 1-2 in those 3 games (2-1 losses against San Antonio last night & Texas last Wednesday Night & a 2-1 win over Oklahoma City on Sunday). So despite the injury issues, they were able to keep those games close and show the quality of depth and character that this team is showing that they could be in the race for not only #1 Overall seed in the Western Conference. But possibly get in a deep playoff run when the AHL Playoffs begins in Mid April and take a shot of possibly winning the team's 1st ever AHL Calder Cup Championship. In addition to the 1 goal games, they also lost 3-1 to Oklahoma City and won 5-0 on Tuesday Night

Despite their problems scoring goals, they continue to be just 3 points back of the 8th Place Peoria Rivermen who currently hold down the 8th & Final Playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rampage now have a couple of days to prepare for the dreaded 3 game in 3 night stretch with a pair of road games against Houston on Friday Night at 7:35 PM & Sunday Evening at 5:05 PM. Sandwiched in between those two games will be a very critical matchup between the Peoria Rivermen where they will have  a prime opportunity to climb in the Western Conference Playoff Race.

Abbotsford Heat 1  San Antonio Rampage 2  (1-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Abbotsford Heat VS. San Antonio Rampage Game Highlights

San Antonio Rampage Post Game Interviews

Updated AHL Standings

San Antonio Rampage Ticket Info

From San Antonio, Texas: Center Mark Cullen scored 7:12 into the third period to lift the San Antonio Rampage to a 2-1 triumph over the Abbotsford Heat on Martin Luther King Day at the AT&T Center.

The Rampage scored the game's first goal at 14:49 into the opening period. With San Antonio on a power play, center James Wright deflected an Evan Barlow shot from the top of the right circle and the puck found it's way past Abbotsford goalie Goaltender Danny Taylor to give the Rampage a 1-0 advantage. Forward Scott Timmins picked up the secondary assist on Wright's fourth goal of the season.

Right wing Akim Aliu answered back for the Heat with just over a minute remaining in the frame. A shot from the defensemen Jordan Henry hit Rampage backstop Dov Grument-Morris, caromed off the skate of Aliu, and glided into the net. Forward Quintin Laing also assisted on the Aliu marker, which tied the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless second period, San Antonio regained the the lead on Cullen's fifth goal of the 2011-2012 campaign. He redirected a point shot from defensemen Mike Vernace past Taylor to hand the Rampage a 2-1 edge. Center Bracken Kearns tallied his 15th assist of the year with the secondary helper on the play.

Grument-Morris made 25 saves on 26 Heat Attempts for his 8th win of the season while Taylor turned aside 29 of of 31 Rampage shots in the Abbotsford Loss.

The Rampage (19-18-2) travel to Houston on Friday at 7:35 PM (CST) contest with their in-state rivals, the Houston Aeros, at the Toyota Center

Texas Stars lost out in a strong goaltending battle

Just like the Dallas Stars later in the day against the St. Louis Blues, the Texas Stars ended up losing out in a 2-0 shutout to the Rockford Ice Hogs where despite 32 saves for Andrew Raycroft. The offense couldn't muster anything past Carter Hutton who made 31 saves in the Shutout Victory. This was also Brad Lukowich's 1000th career Professional Game as well as they were looking to make his big night a success as well.

This keeps the Stars down in last in the West Division and 14th Place in the Western Conference. It also didn't help that the San Antonio Rampage pulled off a big victory over the Abbotsford Heat who have been battling hard for the Western Conference Lead against the Houston Aeros & Oklahoma City Barons. Next up for the Stars is a hot Chicago Wolves Team who's just 2 points back of the Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers.

Texas Stars 0  Rockford Ice Hogs 2  (0-0, 0-1, 0-1)

Press Release from the Texas Stars Website

Updated AHL Standings

From Rockford, Illinois: The Texas Stars (17-18-3) were defeated by the Rockford Ice Hogs (15-21-4 34 PTS) 2-0 in front 4717 fans at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Monday Afternoon. Rockford center Carter Hutton (6-5-1) recorded his first shutout of the season, stopping all 31 Texas shots for the win. Goalie Andrew Raycroft (3-2-1) made 32 saves in the defeat, as the team fell to 9-11-1 on the road this year. Ice Hogs Brandon Svendson scored the eventual game winning goal at 8:49 of the second period and Rockford added an insurance goal in the third by Jeremy Morin. Texas Captain Brad Lukowich played in his 1,000 pro game in the defeat. Stars right wing Colton Sceviour had his six game scoring streak snapped as the club was shutout for the first time all season. Texas travels to Chicago for a game Wednesday at 7:00 PM to face the Wolves.

After a scoreless first period, Rockford claimed a 1-0 lead with the only goal of the 2nd period. IceHogs center Brad Pirri snapped a shot to the Texas Net from the bottom of the right wing circle. Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft made the save, but couldn't control the rebound. Rockford center Brandon Svendson poked in the puck for his 1st goal of the season at 8:49, giving the Hogs a 1-0 lead through 40 minutes of play.

In the third period, Rockford's Jeremy Morin banged in a rebound for his ninth goal of the year and a 2-0 lead with 3:59 left on the clock. Ben Smith and Brian Fahey each had an assist on the power play that rounded out the scoring.

Texas concludes a four game road trip in Chicago on Wednesday at 7:00 PM. The team will return home on Friday, January 20th to host Peoria at 7:30 PM on Friday Night. 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 presented by Community Impact featuring $3 domestic drafts, $2 Sodas and $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 Goodwill. Saturday is also State Farm Family Four Pack Night consisting of four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas starting at $48.

Individual tickets for all four games are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.texasstarshockey.com/tickets/ or by calling 512-GO-STARS (467-8277).

2011-2012 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call 512-GO-STARS or visit www.texasstarshockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.







Edmond Outlook Article about Matt Donovan

Here's a look at a recent Edmond Outlook Magazine Article about NY Islanders Prospect & Edmond Native Matt Donovan as he looking to be on the door step of making his NHL Debut later this season. In addition to this article which was written by Nathan Winfrey, they was also a Q&A that Freelance Writer Terry Hull did for the December Issue of the Oklahoma Magazine.

Also in addition, here's what Hockey's Future has to say about Donovan midway through his 1st AHL Season so far.

Donovaon is playing in his 1st full season with Bridgeport. At the end of last season he decided to bypass his final two years with the University of Denver after a stellar sophomore season. In six games last season he set the bar very high for himself after posting five points in those games. In 39 games so far this season he has posted 22 points (4G 18A).

For being an offensive minded defensemen he has great size. He is built like a rock, and has a great shot from the point. Though he weighs 200 pounds, he has never been known as a physical player, but uses his long reach to his advantage. Speed has always been a problem for him, but remains a mobile skater. With more experience in Bridgeport he has the chance to be a very serviceable puck moving defensemen for the Islanders, in a mold similar to Pittsburgh Penguin Paul Martin.

Here's the Edmond Outlook Article by Nathan Winfery

Here's the Link to the Matt Donovan Q&A

It's no surprise to hear of a local sports star going pro. Oklahoma grows tremendous athletes - people who rack up gold medals and win national championships - and Oklahomans love hometown hero's who achieve the international spotlight. However, when Edmond native Matt Donovan was drafted to a professional league in 2008, he made history.

At age 18, Donovan was drafted by the National Hockey League, an extremely rare occurrence for an Oklahoman. Born and raised in a state with a climate disagreeable for skating on frozen ponds, the defensemen  was selected by the New York Islanders in the fourth round.

The list of other Oklahomans in the NHL's history is a short one. Tyler Arnason, who plays for the Chicago Blackhawks in the AHL is the only other player and he was born here. Arnason grew up in Canada.

Donovan is currently assigned to the Islanders top AHL Affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He explains that the way the drafting system works is not like football, but more like baseball. For a hockey player, being drafted isn't a sure ticket to fay paychecks and lucrative product endorsement's. Hockey Players have to work their way up.

While Donovan's eyes are set on becoming a full time NHL Player, he's more then just biding time with the Sound Tigers. When he joined the team last spring, he had time for just six games with them before the season ended in April. In the off-season he got to know his teammates and when he started the new season in October, after joining the Islanders for three pre-season games, he returned as an even more invested Sound Tiger. "It's awesome knowing all the guys now," he said. "We've got a good group of guys so it's been fun so far."

Donovan hopes to help the Sound Tigers, named after the Long Island Sound, win games and make it to the playoffs. Plus, he hopes to be called up to play at least one game with the Islanders this season. His team members are mostly from the Northern U.S. States, Canada and countries like Russia, Finland & Sweden - places known for perpetual cold weather. "Everyone gets along. It's fun to hear all the different languages," he says.

Apart from being the only Okie, he's also one of the youngest on the team. "We've got a pretty young team," says the now 21 year old. The oldest player is 30 and Donovan values the experience of the guys who have some years on him. Some have been playing pro hockey for a decade. "They're veterans," he says. Donovan grew up with hockey in a way few Oklahomans have had the privilege. Over the years, his dad helped run an ice skating rink in Bethany, Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Edmond and the Blazers Ice Center, which meant much of Donovan's formative years were spent near on the ice. "It was pretty easy getting into hockey," he recalls. "I've loved it ever since I started."

As a freshman at Edmond North High School, Donovan played AA Hockey for the OKC Junior Blazers. When he was 16, he moved to Dallas and played AAA Hockey for the Dallas Stars Elites. He finished his high school career in Iowa, playing for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the United States Hockey League (USHL). There, he was named to the USHL All Rookie Team.

His college career consisted of two seasons with the University of Denver Pioneers, after which came his historic NHL Draft. Another career landmark came in January 2010 when Donovan won a Gold Medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Canada.

Now living in Connecticut, ice is easier to come by than it was in Oklahoma, but he misses his family and friends in Edmond. "I grew up there and know everything around there," he said. Donovan picks the ocean as the biggest difference between his dry home state and where he has been transplanted, and it will be a while before he's home again for a significant length of time. The Sound Tigers are well into the new season and Donovan is optimistic. "It's going well so far," he says. "It's awesome to be drafted. I hope it proves to kids in Oklahoma playing hockey that they can make it to the NHL."

Arlington Native Colten Martin & Corpus Christi Ice Rays Goalie Anthony Stolarz ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings

Two players with current Texas Ties have made the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings that came out today. Unlike last year where we had Stefan Noesen & Colin Jacobs that became slam dunks to be drafted. The Southwest Region doesn't have anyone this year that will be considered slam dunks and will be fighting to continue to gain Interest from NHL Teams over the 2nd half of the Regular Season and going into the early portion of the playoffs when the End-of-Season Rankings come out in Late April.

First up is Arlington Native Colten Martin who is in the middle of his 1st season with the Kelowna Rockets (WHL). Colten is a defensemen where his strong suits including his great passing abilities, speed to occasionally join in on the counter attack and improving his game on the faceoff. He's showing his ability to improve his offensive abilities recently by being more aggressive with setting up forwards like Shane McColgan, Brett Bulmer & Carter Rigby.

Even though he was ranked #146 among NA Skaters Rankings, Kelowna Rockets Assistant Coach Ryan Cuthbret sees a lot of room of improvement over the 2nd half of the season coming up. It was also mentioned that has a great hockey IQ and is a fast learner as well. He will be looking to continue to gain NHL Scouting Interest & increase his Scouting Ranking when the End of Season Rankings come out in April by playing a big role in getting his team in the WHL Playoffs this season.

So far, the Rockets sit in 6th Place in the WHL Western Conference (3rd in the B.C. Division) with a 17-20-5 record (39 PTS). If the Regular Season ended today, the Rockets would face the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

"Colten has put himself on the map by being a competitive kid. He thinks the game well and has good instincts." Said Kelowna Rockets Assist Coach Ryan Cuthbret. Warren Henderson who is the Kelowna Rockets Beat Writer for the Kelowna Capital News, has also mentioned "that he has exceeded expectations and continues to gain confidence during his 1st season in the Western Hockey League (WHL)," about him in an email.

So far through this season, he has scored 9 points (1G 8A) in 40 games played this season. He also has 2 Multi Point Performances this season, 1st it was a 2 assist performance in a 4-2 win over the Prince George Cougars on 11/19. He also has scored his only goal of the season back on December 14th against the Regina Pats where he scored the OT Winner that night & to this point, it's his only goal of the season so far.

He's not going to be one of those players that will score a lot of points as he is more of an energy & speed guy to help out the defense get out of trouble when needed and to help set up the team's more skilled forwards. He's also looking to improve his game on faceoffs to help get the puck out of trouble, especially on defensive zone faceoffs and looking to increase the amount of time he gets on special teams (Especially on the PK).

Corpus Christi Icerays Goalie Anthony Stolarz was the only North American Hockey League (NAHL) Player to make the rankings where he was ranked #21 among North American Goalies. The Native of Jackson, New Jersey has all ready announced his NCAA commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) starting next season. So far this season for the Ice Rays, he has a strong 13-10-2 Record with a 2.54 GAA & a .924 SV% as well.

His only shutout of the season came back on December 16 against the New Mexico Mustangs with a 4-0 shutout win that came just before the league's Christmas Break, recently he has been coming up big where he has given up in 5 of the last 6 games where he has given up 2 or fewer goals and has a 4-2 record during that time going back to December 30 against the Wichita Falls Wildcats.

He will continue to need to be big as the Ice Rays have been having issues finding a suitable back-up goaltender for Stolarz as no one else has been able to play more then 6 games all season to help Stolarz. His current back up Matt Laprade gave up 5 goals in his only performance which was part of a 10-3 loss where he was pulled just after the mid-way point of the game back on January 6 against the Amarillo Bulls. So he will have to continue the carry a heavy load as he looks to impress over the 2nd half of the season.

The Good News is that his effort is beginning to pay off as the Ice Rays are looking to pull away from the New Mexico Mustangs, Wichita Falls Wildcats & Odessa Jackalopes thanks to a weekend sweep which included a pair of victories over Odessa (2-1 & 3-0), as well as a win yesterday afternoon against the Texas Tornado (4-1). These results takes his record to 15-10-1 and takes his GAA to an impressive 2.38. Also, this increases the gap between the Ice Rays and the 5th Place Jackalopes to 9 points for the 4th & Final Spot in the South Division race.

Regardless of how well the team plays, it will have to go on a major hot streak in order to catch up to the Texas Tornado & Topeka Roadrunners who are still a good 14 & 16 points ahead in the Race for the 2nd Spot which would get them Home Ice in the 1st Round of the NAHL Playoffs as they will look to make a shock run to the NAHL Robertson Cup Tournament that will be in Frisco in early May.

In addition to looking to get the Icerays to the Playoffs for the 1st time in the NAHL Era, he will be looking to impress during the upcoming NAHL Top Prospects Tournament that will be taking place from February 20-22 coming up in Troy, Michigan where he will most likely be playing on the NAHL Selects Team which will be for the best players in the NAHL Under the age of 18.

He will be looking to be the torch barer for the North American Hockey League as he is the only NAHL Player to be ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings this year and will look to climb the rankings over the 2nd half of the season.

A pair of Russians in Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting OHL) & Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec City Remparts, QMJHL) are currently 1 & 2 in the NA Skaters Rankings who are coming off strong performances at the recent WJHC Tournament in Alberta, Canada. Yakupov is currently the front runner to be the #1 Overall Pick this year, while Grigorenko could have a jump of taking him down for the #1 if a major injury or something happens to Yakupov.

Overall, 7 of the top 10 players in the NA Rankings are defensemen which begins with Everett Silvertips Defensemen Ryan Murray, along with the likes of Rielly Morgan with the Moose Jaw Warriors & Matthew Dumba of the Red Deer Rebels. In all, the Western Hockey League lead the top 10 with 5 Players being ranked. The Ontario Hockey League (OHL), while the USNTDP U18 & QMJHL each had 1 player each in the top 10 among North American Skaters.

The Top American in the rankings is Jacob Trouba who was the only member of the USNTDP U18 Team that made Team USA for the World Junior Hockey Championships that wrapped up in Alberta where the Americans finished in a disappointing 7th Place this season. Which was one of the worst showings for the Americans since 1999, by finishing 7th and playing in the Relegation Round. Other members of the USTNDP U18 Team that made the Draft Rankings include Stefan Matteau who's 13th & Brady Skjei who's ranked 18th as well.

Among NA Goaltenders is Malcom Subban of the OHL's Belleville Bulls is on top of the Goaltending Lists right now. The top 5 also had Matthew Murray (Sault St. Marie Greyhounds/OHL), Brandon Whitney (Victoriaville Tigers/QMJHL) was ranked #3, Jon Gillies (Indiana Ice/USHL) is 4th, and Jake Paterson (Saginaw Spirit/OHL) round out of the top 5 this season.

Leading the European Lists has Filip Forsberg who's with Leksand in the Swedish 2nd Division. Finally among European Goaltenders has Andrei Vasilevski who's with Ufa 2nd Division which plays in the Russian 2nd Division.

Were only half way through the season right now and the End of Season Rankings will be coming out in Late April. While the 2012 NHL Draft will be taking place June 22 & 23 in Pittsburgh this upcoming summer.

Here's the Full NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings.

NA Skaters

NA Goalies

EURO Skaters

EURO Goalies

Corpus Christi scores key victory in NAHL South Division Playoff Race

Corpus Christi was able to score a huge 2-1 Shootout victory and was able to increase their South Division Lead to 5 points with the help to a great goaltending performance by Anthony Stolarz, who by the way was ranked 21st among North American Goaltenders earlier this week in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Draft Rankings.

Also the only goal in regulation, just 5 minutes later, Odessa scored their only goal of the game from Josh Obregon. After that, it was a battle of goalies where both Stolarz & Connor Hellebuyck made some great saves in the performances. For Hellebuyck, he made 34 of 35 shots while Stolarz made 29 of 30 shots in the OT Game.

Even the shootout was dominated by the goalies when Tyler Cayemberg scored 1st in the 3rd Round of the Shootout. However, they couldn't take advantage of Hellebuyck's great performance to prevent Zachary Lindsay & Dmitry Ermakov to score in the 4th & 5th Rounds to comeback to win the SO & the Game 2-1 last night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.

Both the Ice Rays & Jackalopes will be playing again tonight at 7:05 PM as well where the Ice Rays can extend their lead again for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the South Division. Also the Amarillo Bulls & Topeka Roadrunners are playing in Amarillo at 7:00 PM in a game where Topeka will be looking to get in a 2nd Place Tie with the Tornado in the South Division.

Finally the Texas Tornado will host the Wichita Falls Wildcats at 7:30 PM at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco tonight. The Tornado have lost 3 in a row as the team is battling injuries and a surging Roadrunners Team that has won 9 of their last 10 with a rock hard defense that has given up 2 or fewer goals in every single victory over that span. The only loss was a 7-1 defeat at home where the Wild scored 4 Power Play Goals back on December 17 just before the Christmas Break.

Odessa Jackalopes 1  Corpus Christi Icerays 2  (SO) (0-0, 1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1)

Current NAHL South Division Standings

1. Amarillo  38 GP  30-3-5  65 PTS  168-86

2. Texas  37 GP  22-9-6  50 PTS  135-101

3. Topeka  36 GP  23-11-2  48 PTS  111-92

4. Corpus Christi  34 GP  16-16-2  34 PTS  100-106

5. Odessa  33 GP  12-16-5  29 PTS  69-99

6. Wichita Falls  35 GP  12-21-2  26 PTS  87-115

7. New Mexico  35 GP  10-23-2  22 PTS  94-162

By Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller

Game Photos by George Tuley

From Corpus Christi, Texas: Given the playoff stakes, it was only natural that Thursday's Game had a post-season feel to it.

There was tentative, cautious play at times and stellar goaltending was the dominant theme. In the end,  the Icerays found enough timely scoring to nab themselves a critical victory. Corpus Christi outlasted the Odessa Jackalopes 2-1 in a shootout at the American Bank Center, giving the Ice Rays consecutive victories for the first time in more then two months.

The Ice Rays (16-16-2  34 PTS) moved up 5 points up on the Jackalopes (12-16-5 29 PTS) for the final playoff spot in the North American Hockey League's South Division (NAHL), with their two game set wrapping up tonight.

"There was a sense of relief that we got the point (for getting to overtime)," Ice Rays Coach Justin Quenneville said. "Realistically, that's not the goal we set to accomplish. We wanted the four point swing. We left (one) point on the table, but at the end of the day, a win is a win. We've got to build off it."

For the fifth time in the last six games, the Ice Rays allowed two goals or fewer.

"The Guys are really buying into the system," said Ice Rays Goalie Anthony Stolarz, who made 29 saves. "The maturity is coming in and the discipline is the most important thing, listening for the coaches. As long as we listen to what they have to say, I think the success in the end will definitely be worth it."

In the shootout, Stolarz out dueled Odessa Counter part Connor Hellebuyck, stopping four of the 5 Jackalopes' five attempts. Corpus Christi trailed entering it's final two shooters, but Zachary Lindsay & Dmitry Ermakov beat Hellebuyck to claim the victory.

For Ermakov, it was his second straight shootout winner. He scored in the eighth round to decide Saturday's 3-2 victory at Amarillo. Against Odessa, Ermakov used a backhand-to-forehand move and flipped a shoot over the 6'5" Hellebuck's blocker and inside the left post.

"He's been a big goalie like our goalie, so it's just a matter of getting him moving side to side and then finishing it," Ermakov said. "As our coach stated to us, (in the 2nd) half of the season we treat every game as a playoff game and and play a playoff style."

The teams traded second period goals, with Brandon Smith tallying for Corpus Christi and ex-Ice Ray Josh Obgren responding for Odessa. But otherwise, it was all about Stolarz and Hellebuyck, who from 12 feet, 9 inches of goaltender between them and showed why they're two of the top net minders in the NAHL.

"When you've got two great goaltenders playing like they did tonight, you knew it was going to be a frustrating contest in terms of offensive output," Quenneville said.

"But we showed a lot of good signs in terms of creating more four ourselves and being patient with the puck. They're frustrating steps - you want to see the results all the time and right away - but it does take time. With 15 first year junior players, we know there is going to be some heartache.

"But they're working hard and the energy is there. It's the bearing down and the execution from the top to bottom. We've got to find ways to put teams away early when we have the momentum and the opportunities."

Loose Pucks

Ice Rays goalie Anthony Stolarz was ranked #21 among NA Goalies in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's Mid-Season rankings released this week. Stolarz was the only NAHL Player to crack the CSB Rankings.

More Games Notes from Greg Rajan





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.





Abbotsford Blasts the Rampage 5-0

In a game where basically nothing went right for San Antonio, the Abbotsford Heat just took advantage of major turnovers, poor shots, bad special teams and not much execution. The Heat took advantage of one of the worst performances of the year by the San Antonio Rampage to win 5-0.

The Rampage didn't take advantage of a major opportunity that would gotten them within one point of both the Rochester Americans & Peoria Rivermen who are currently tied for the 8th & Final Playoff spot with 39 points right now.

Abbotsford on the other hand is back within one point of the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons who they will play in a weekend series this upcoming weekend

"This was a disappointing effort for 60 minutes." San Antonio Coach Chuck Webber said in a post-game interview. "The only thing I felt we did is constantly is turnover the puck and lose one-on-one battles.

Webber was more disappointed then anything else as he mentioned a bunch of things that lead to the worst showing of the year. "Even when we lost 5-0, 4 of them were power play goals." Mentioning a game back on October 21 game at home against the Peoria Rivermen, currently the Rivermen are sitting in a tie with the Rochester Americans for the 8th & Final Playoff spot in the AHL Western Conference right now.

"We got outworked for pretty much the entire game," Rampage Forward Bracken Kearns said following the 5-0 loss. "But they were pretty hungry after how they were pretty embarrassed and they did it to use tonight." Mentioning a game back on November 25 when the Rampage beat the Heat by the same 5-0 score in a similar fashion.

San Antonio will hit the ice again on Saturday Night back at the AT&T Center against the last place Rockford Ice Hogs on Saturday Night at 7:00 PM. While the Abbotsford Heat will continue their Southwest Road Trip tonight in Austin to play the Texas Stars at 7:30 PM at the Cedar Park Center tonight.

Abbotsford Heat 5  San Antonio Rampage 0  (2-0, 2-0, 1-0)

San Antonio Rampage TV

Press Release from the San Antonio Rampage Website

From San Antonio, Texas: The San Antonio Rampage were defeated by the Abbotsford Heat by a score of 5-0 at the AT&T Center on Tuesday Night.

Abbotsford scored the game's first goal at 11:00 into the opening period to take a 1-0 lead. With the Heat Shorthander, Center Quintin Laing received a feed from the right wing Guillaume Desbiens and fired a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Rampage backstop Dov Grument-Morris for his ninth goal of the season. Defensemen Chris Breen registered the secondary assist on the Laing tally.

Right wing Akim Aliu extended the Abbotsford edge to 2-0 with just over a minute remaining in the first. In a goal mouth scramble at the front of the net, Aliu was the last player to touch the puck before it slid past Grument-Morris and over the goal line. Aliu's third score of the year was assisted by the defensemen Joe Piskula and Center Ben Walter.

A power play goal from center Krys Kolanos at 3:12 of the middle stanza made the count 3-0 in favor of the Heat. From the end line, Kolanos took a pass from right wing Jon Rheault, and roofed a shot over the shoulder of Grument-Morris to tally his 17th goal of the 2011-2012 campaign. Laing picked up his second point with the secondary assist on the play.

Left Wing Raitis Ivanans converted on a two-on-rush with forwards Carter Bancks 8:54 into the second period to give Abbotsford a 4-0 advantage. Ivanans gathered a pass from Bancks before firing a shot into the right side of the net for his second tally of the year. Also notched a helper on the goal was left wing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond.

Rheault tallied his 14th score of the year at 14:33 mark of the third period when he intercepted a San Antonio pass and quickly ripped a shot by Grument-Morris to give the Heat a 5-0 lead.

Abbotsford backstop Danny Taylor turned aside 26 Rampage shots he faced for his 2nd shutout of the season while Grument-Morris made 37 saves on 42 Heat attempts.

The Rampage celebrate their 10th anniversary on Saturday Night with a 7 PM (CST) contest against the Rockford Ice Hogs at the AT&T Center

Austin Smith Story on College Hockey News

With Austin Smith looking to help his Colgate Raiders be on the Big Surprise Teams in the entire NCAA & a possible Hobey Baker Award Contender this season. The Coppell Native is looking to end his College Career with a bang before he turns pro with his ultimate goal of playing for the Dallas Stars in the near future.

One thing though that has eluded Austin Smith's College Hockey Career has been post-season success. During his Freshman & Sophomore Years, the Raiders went 1 and done in their 1st series. In 2009 after the Raiders finished 10th during the Regular Season, Quinnipiac in a series where the Best of 3 1st Round where every single game went to OT.

The 2010 Season was better after finishing 4th, they were able to earn a 1st Round Bye. However, it was more of the same as St. Lawrence beat them in 2 games in the ECAC Quarterfinals

Last year, the regular season turned out to be a nightmare as they were one of the worst teams in the entire NCAA at one point where the Raiders didn't even win a Conference Game until early February where the team won just 9 games overall in the Regular Season last year.

However when the ECAC Playoffs began, they pulled off upsets against RPI in the 1st Round & the top seeded Union College in the Quarterfinals before losing to Yale in the Conference Semifinals. The team knew that with the bad season, it was either the Conference Championship or bust to make the NCAA Tournament.

So far this season, he leads the entire NCAA in goals with 20 and is in a 3 way tie with Jack Connolly (Minnesota-Duluth) & Spencer Abbott (Maine) with 33 points right now. Smith's two way game has taken a huge step over the course of his NCAA Career where he transformed from his Travel Hockey & Junior Days with the Pentiction Vees, in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) that will help him a lot when he gets his Professional Career underway full time next season most likely.

After the BCHL Championship in 2008, they were looking to beat the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Champion Camrose Kodiaks for the Pacific Region Championship & a spot in the RBC Cup (Canadian Jr. A National Championship) spot. They lost to the Kodiaks in 5 games who went on to lose in the RBC Cup Final to the Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) 1-0 in the Championship Game.

He was taken in the 5th Round of the 2007 NHL Draft by the Stars (128th Overall) and looks and is looking to be among one of the 1st Players from the Southwest to make the National Hockey League (NHL) and be the Dallas area's 1st ever born & Trained Player to make the Dallas Stars.

I like his chances of making the NHL as he has been able to work his way up the ranks and be willing to work hard and be able to make rapid improvements at every level. From Dallas Jesuit where he even played for their HS Team in the AT&T Metroplex HS Hockey League, then as a Senior he went to the Gunnery Prep School for his Senior Year where he got noticed by different NHL Teams to take him in the NHL Draft.

Barring a major collapse, he will most likely sign his NHL Entry Level Deal after his NCAA Season wraps up and will most likely begin his Pro Hockey Career with the Dallas Stars AHL Affiliate, the Texas Stars down in Austin to play the final part of the AHL Regular Season and playoffs if the Texas Stars make the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs in Mid-April.

He would like to finish his NCAA Career with a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament. One of the few things that has eluded him in his College Career. Also if he can continue his strong showing, they is a possibility that he could be a major contender for the Hobey Baker Award as well that will be awarded out on April 6. This is part of the NCAA Frozen Four Weekend that will take place from April 5-7 at the St. Pete Times Forum where the NCAA Hockey Frozen Four will be taking place this season.

Here's the Timeline for the 2012 Hobey Baker Award to determine the Finalist, and the winner this year.

You can vote in the Early Round here.

Hobey Baker Top Ten: March 15

Hobey Baker Final 3: March 29

Hobey Baker Award Announcement: April 6 (In Tampa, Florida)

Here's Colgate's remaining Regular Season Schedule, the entire 2nd half of the season is entirely within the ECAC Hockey Conference. Right now, the Raiders sit in 2nd Place in the Conference at 6-2-0 & 12-6-2 overall right now and will look to overtake Cornell who sit just 1 point ahead in the Conference Lead while looking hold off teams like Quinnipiac & Union as well.

Here's the remaining Regular Season Schedule for the Colgate Raiders, as well as the dates for the 2012 ECAC Hockey Tournament.

1/13: @ Princeton  6:00 PM

1/14: @ Quinnipiac  3:00 PM

1/20: VS. Harvard  6:00 PM

1/21: VS. Dartmouth  6:00 PM

1/27: @ Cornell  6:30 PM

1/28: VS. Cornell  6:00 PM

2/3: @ Union  6:00 PM

2/4: @ RPI  6:00 PM

2/10: VS. Yale  6:00 PM

2/11: VS. Brown  6:00 PM

2/17: @ St. Lawrence  6:00 PM

2/18: @ Clarkson  6:00 PM

2/24: VS. RPI  6:00 PM

2/25: VS. Union

ECAC Hockey Playoffs

1st Round: 3/2-4  Best of 3 @ Campus Sites

Quarterfinals: 3/9-11 Best of 3 @ Campus Sites

Semifinals & Finals: 3/16-17 @ Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J.



Here's the Story by Adam Wodon of College Hockey News

Last season could not have been any worse  for Colgate, or for Austin Smith. Picked to finish near the top of the ECAC, Colgate finished deal last, without a league win until February. Smith coming off two strong seasons, saw his goal totals plummet into single digits. A pair of series victories in the ECAC Tournament did a little to soften the blow, but not much.

As the old adage says, however. Sometimes it takes going a step back to go two steps forward. In Colgate's case, perhaps it's been three.

The Raiders are near the top of the ECAC This year, and Smith - as of the time of writing 0 was leading the nation in goal scoring. The pair's fortunes are Clarey intertwined.

"We didn't have much chemistry (last year)," Smith said. "This year, I have had two exceptional linemates. "We've clicked and bonded well." Hopefully we can replicate this and have an even better second half."

Those linemates are sophomore Chris Wagner ("We're best friends off the ice," Smith said.), and Joe Wilson, a freshman that ignites the other two.

"He's an unsung hero. He has so much energy," Smith said of Wilson, a sentiment his coach echoes.

"Joey is quiet, but he has a sponge," and I think he's enjoying the heck out of playing with those guys," Colgate Coach Don Vaughan said. "His acceleration - he can really skate. He'll hound pucks down and force turnovers, and then Chris gets it and feeds it to Austin.

Smith is also healthy for the first time in a few years. Two seasons ago, he realized he needed surgery  for a torn labrum in both hips, an injury that is becoming increasingly prevalent in hockey players (six Colgate Players alone have had surgery in the last four years). But he only took care of one, and played through last season knowing he'd need surgery to the other hip this past off season.

Smith chose to play through it last year instead of taking a medical red shirt.

"I didn't want to set myself back," Smith said, about forgoing the surgery. "I had a really good sophomore year and played through it. So I knew that it was possible to play through it. I couldn't really imagine sitting out. I'm looking forward to a pro career, and fortunately, knock on wood, it's been a really big senior year and that's what I was looking for. It's kind of a contract year."

The effects were sore hips, trouble squatting, and a sharp pain that would move to the groin area.

But Smith believes he's better for the adversity.

"Maybe I need that. I had that big step in the road," Smith said. "I was in pain most of the year and things weren't going well. I could've packed it in and had surgery. But I learned a lot. I learned focus and dedication and things that will really help me in my pro career."

But it wasn't just the injury. Smith had to adjust to new linemates, after having played with an All-American like David McIntyre in years past. Smith said, playing with a player like McIntyre, he was passing all the time, trying to set him up. Most of the time, those passes paid off.

But last year, those same passes, without McIntyre, weren't leading anyway. His troubles mirrored the team's.

Initially it was (the injury)," Vaughan said. "When your confidence starts to wane, it builds upon itself. Whereas, if he was healthy and got off to a better start... he was also a victim of what was going on collectively."

As a result, though, Smith finally learned what his coach has been preaching for years - shoot more. 

"I have a great shot, I know that, but something in my brain says, 'make that pass over two sticks'" Smith said.

"I learned I've got to get the puck to the net, take opportunities when you get them. This year I've scored when before I would have made the extra pass. More then anything, I've been determined and focused on that part of the game - in practice too, just every day, not just swiping one at the goalie and going through the motions. I'm trying to score."

Colgate now is moving up the polls and the ECAC Standings.

"Getting off to a good start was important," Vaughan said. "The guys will be better ... we wanted to be getting more aggressive, more north-south, and hound all areas of the rink. We did a lot of video work, going back to last year. We were reinforcing that game plan through the use of video. We wanted to show only the positive plays in our video sessions."

Smith might have a common name, but his path to college hockey is uncommon - through Dallas, Texas. On the other hand, it's becoming an increasingly popular avenue for athletes from that area. Much of the thanks for that has to come from the Dallas Stars, whose move there and success fostered an enormous upswing in hockey interest among local youth.

"It's completely what got me into hockey," Smith said. "Back then, there was 250 kids in the Metroplex (Dallas-Ft. Worth area) that played. Now there's 50,000 or more."

David McKee, a former Cornell Goaltender (2003-2006) and Hobey Baker Award finalist, was among the first from Texas to play College Hockey. McKee happens to have grown up on the same street as Smith.  Others that Smith grew up with, including Locke Jillson and Keir Ross, who both went to Cornell, similarly were going to play NCAA Hockey.

But it was his mom that Smith was inspired by the most.

"When I went to Colgate, I loved the campus," Smith said. "My mom influenced me, with the academics. She really wanted that aspect as well. She was probably as much of an influence as anything...  I had a good relationship with Vaughan early, and the team was good at the time."

To top it all off, the hometown Stars selected Smith in the NHL Draft. Smith said he'd spoken to the Islanders, Boston and a few other teams, but had no idea Dallas was going to select him.

"The joke is that they picked for a publicity stunt," Smith said. "But they said, 'We've got a lot of college prospects,' and they were interested. They keep a pretty close eye ... They seem genuinely interested. If I have a really good year, technically (I can be) a free agent, but I would love to play back home. That would be unbelievable.

"I've wondered about what if I went to Denver or another big school, but I'm going to get an incredible degree, I've played first or second line since my first year, logged 25 minutes (a game) and got better every day through a good coach. So you have to look at some of the intangibles."

Vaughan believes the sky is the limit for Smith the rest of the season.

"The mental part, keeping his emotions in check, even when things aren't going well. He getting better at it," Vaughan said.