Austin Smith should make Pro Debut on Friday VS. Oklahoma City

After Austin Smith's Colgate Career came to an end this past weekend with losses to Union College & Cornell in the ECAC Hockey Conference Championships, Austin according to several sources including Brandon Worley of Defending Big D saying that Smith signed a 2 Year Entry Level Contract last night and will be looking to make his Pro Debut on Friday Night when the Stars head North to play the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons when the Stars begin a 3 game road trip that will also include games against the Toronto Marlies on Sunday & against the Lake Erie Monsters in Cleveland on Tuesday Night.

Photo of Austin Smith: Courtesy of the Colgate Raiders & Alliance Bulldogs Website.



This will make him the first Texan to ever make his Pro Debut and only the 2nd Player overall to make his Debut after Edmond's Matt Donovan made his AHL Debut last spring around this time and is in the middle of his first full AHL Season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders Affiliate).

Smith is ending a very long 5 year journey that was filled with doubts and him looking to presence of looking to show that he is a worthy prospect in the Dallas Stars Sizes. Doubts contained everything from his size where he was a very small but very fast 5'5" frame when he was playing for Gunnery Prep School in Connecticut during his Junior & Senior Years of High School before he was taken in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Stars. The doubts continued over the course of his career while at Colgate which isn't known as a great hockey team for the most part & including Smith never getting the Raiders to the NCAA Hockey Tournament during his Career.

After playing his final games of his NCAA Career at the ECAC Hockey Conference Championship and his frustrations when the game began to slip for the Colgate Raiders in their Conference Semifinal against the Eventual Champion Union College describing what his emotions were at that time. "I've never given up in a game before, ever. I always compete to the end," said Smith. "When it hit 5-1, I was trying to hold the tears back. The rest of the game I was circling and I had a million things going in my head. I wasn't very effective."

He told the College Hockey News' Rob Moore after the game ended. Smith went on to say, "I thought we dominated the first period and were with them for most of the second period. When we got that goal to make it 2-1, I believed more then anyone that we could win," said Smith. "By the middle of the third period though, he was beginning to think different thoughts. "That [fifth goal] was the goal for me where I realized it was the end of my career."

If Smith is looking to show the Stars that he is a strong prospect going forward, he needs to have a strong end to the American Hockey League Season where the Texas Stars are out of the playoff race and have been at or near the Bottom of the Western Conference for most of the last 2 months by providing a fresh energy and challenging some of the team's top prospects like Brendan Dillion & Matt Fraser as well as others like Colton Sceivour who's been getting the bill as one of the more underrated players in the AHL this season.

He will have 12 games to show the Stars that he can thrive in the Pro Game and be a force to be reckon with at the AHL Level and looking to show that he can be worthy of a Call Up next season. With the Stars having nothing to play for the rest of the season, Smith needs to show that he can make the Stars a hard team to play against as the Stars lost their 5th in a row with a 5-2 loss against Abbotsford last night and went just, 2-5, on the 7 game home stand that wrapped up last night.

Even though it took 5 years to get him from the Draft to signing with the Stars, he's still got a mountain of a journey in front of him as he looks to shine in Austin and show the Stars that he is worthy of playing for Dallas in the near future. With upcoming prospects like Rielly Smith, Scott Glennie, Jack Campbell, Matt Frasier & Brendan Dillion possibly on the horizon.

He will really have to work hard to stand out among the Stars improving Prospect Pool to earn a spot in Dallas in the future. With Austin's Speed, determination & scoring ability, he has spent his entire career to this point defining the odds and proving people wrong and he is looking forward to doing it again to play for his hometown Stars.

Here's the Remaining Texas Stars Schedule

3/23: @ Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

3/25: @ Toronto Marlies  2:00 PM

3/27: @ Lake Erie Monsters  6:00 PM

3/29: VS. Hamilton Bulldogs  7:30 PM

3/31: VS. Lake Erie Monsters  7:00 PM

4/1: VS. Lake Erie Monsters  5:00 PM

4/4: @ Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

4/5: @ Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

4/10: VS. Chicago Wolves  7:30 PM

4/13: @ San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

4/14: VS. Oklahoma City Barons 7:00 PM

4/15: @ Houston Aeros  5:05 PM

Hockey's Future has him ranked #13

Yesterday, Hockeys Future came out with their Dallas Stars Top 20 Prospects for the Spring as the NCAA & Canadian Hockey League Season is coming to an end. Smith has taken a strong jump from #18 to #13 after his strong season and being a Top 10 Candidate for the Hobey Baker Award which will be cut from 10 to 3 on March 29.

Here's Hockey's Future comments from Mike Farkas. You can see the Full Top 20 & comments on each player by clicking on the Hockey's Future Link. Here's the Austin Smith Comments.

"What a year it has been for senior Austin Smith at Colgate University. After posting a career worst 10 goals last season, Smith exploded this season for a nation high 36 goals and a career best 57 points (four off the country's top spot). After offseason surgery, Smith has comeback healthy and confident and flying. He continues to be an all situation player with good speed and tremendous work rate, he has skated circles around the ECAC This season.

While he's not projected to be an elite scorer at the NHL level by any stretches of the imagination, he has a future as a quality utility man. He's not particular big or strong but he makes up for it with world class determination and a swagger that's hard to match. Smith will also certainly be signed after his collegiate career ends and will likely finish the year in Texas if the Stars management so chooses."





Southwest Prospects Weekend Wrap Up, Canadian Hockey League Edition

After a very busy weekend where the NCAA Hockey Conference Championships & Canadian Hockey League Regular Season has wrapped up this weekend. Here's a look at how Southwest Based Standouts did over the Weekend and where they will be playing as the NCAA Hockey Tournament & the Canadian Hockey League Playoffs begin later this week.

Here's the NCAA Hockey Tournament Brackets, as well as the 1st Round Schedules for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL). The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 1st Round Schedule hasn't been released yet.

NCAA Hockey Tournament Bracket:

Western Hockey League 1st Round Schedule

Ontario Hockey League 1st Round Schedule

Stefan Noesen

Plymouth only played in one game as the Whalers had an uphill climb to take over the #1 Seed in the Western Conference as the London Knights were finishing their final 3 game in 3 day stretch where the Knights held most of the major tiebreakers between the #1 &; #2 Seeds. Noesen ended the regular season on a red hot stretch by scoring a goal a game (11 Goals in 11 Games) which included a hat trick against the Oshawa Generals on February 24th and a 2 goal game against Owen Sound on March 11. In addition to his 11 goals, he also added 5 assists during the final stretch of the season to show that he can help set up teammates like Richard Rankell.

Noesen finished the Regular Season on top of the Plymouth Whalers Scoring for the 2nd straight year with an impressive 82 points where he surpassed his total for goals from last year (38 this year, 33 last year) and will be looked upon again to have a huge playoff run where the Whalers pulled off a huge upset of the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL Western Conference Quarterfinals last season before losing to the eventual Champions Owen Sound Attack. During last year's playoff run, the Plano Native was able to score 11 points in 11 games which included a team leading 6 goals during the run that saw them reach the Western Conference Semifinals last season.

This year the Playoffs for the Whalers will be getting underway on Friday March 23rd when Plymouth will play the #7 Seeded Guelph Storm in a best of 7 series. Guelph finished the regular season with a .500 record with a 31-31-6 record and the Whalers good for 68 points during the regular season and the Whalers were able to win 3 of the 4 regular season head-to-head matches where all 4 games turned out to be high scoring games which included an 8-4 win in November & a 7-5 win in December. So expect to see some fireworks to erupt in this playoff series which starts Friday Night in Plymouth, Michigan.

Here's the #2 Plymouth Whalers VS. #7 Guelph Storm Series Schedule

3/23, GM 1: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

3/25, GM 2: @ Guelph  5:35 PM

3/27, GM 3: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

3/29, GM 4: @ Guelph  6:05 PM

3/31, GM 5*: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

4/1, GM 6*: @ Guelph  5:35 PM

4/3, GM 7*: @ Plymouth  6:05 PM

Colton Martin

After the Kelowna Rockets have had their #6 Seed in the WHL Western Conference locked up for a couple of weeks now, this was about making sure the Rockets were solid and ready to go when the WHL Playoffs begin this week as the Rockets will face a very tough Portland Winterhawks that just missed out on the U.S. Division Title & the #1 Seed by 2 points against the Tri-City Americans.

He hasn't been the kind of person that puts up big stats as Martin finished the regular season with 15 points (1G 14A), he scored his only goal of the season in an OT Winner against the Regina Pats back in December. His game is more of a 2 way defensemen as he looks to improve his speed to help out on counterattacks to be the defensemen that could force turnovers and look to perform breakouts, he's been working on improving his faceoffs over the course of the regular season.

This past weekend saw the Rockets end the regular season in strong form as they were able to get 3 out of 4 points in a home-and-home weekend against the Vancouver Giants. On Friday, the Rockets put the Giants on notice where despite losing the game, 5-4 in OT, Kelowna was up 3-1 in the 2nd and 4-3 in the 3rd that the Giants were able to tie it at up on both occasion's. Vancouver's Jordan Martinook finished up a hat trick that was able get him his 40th goal of the year just over a minute in the OT to win the game, 5-4.

The Next night saw the Rockets win a SO where the roles were reversed where the Giants scored the opening goal, then Moar, Rigby & Lees each scored to make it 3-1. Then after the Giants came back to tie the game at 3-3 in the final 5 and a half minutes in the 3rd period to force the SO where Rockets Left Winger Zach Franko scored the only goal in the SO to give the Rockets a 4-3 victory to finish the regular season.

Kelowna will be the #6 Seed in the WHL Western Conference Playoffs and will head to Oregon to open up the series on Friday & Saturday with Kelowna hosting Game 3 & 4 next Tuesday & Thursday as the Rockets will look for some magic that the 2008-09 team had when they won the WHL Championship and came just one win short of the Memorial Cup that saw them lose to the Windsor Spitfires that year.

Here's the #3 Portland Winterhawks VS. #6 Kelowna Rockets Schedule

3/23, GM 1: @ Portland  9:00 PM

3/24, GM 2: @ Portland  9:00 PM

3/27, GM 3: @ Kelowna  9:05 PM

3/29, GM 4: @ Kelowna  9:05 PM

3/31, GM 5*: @ Portland  9:00 PM

4/2, GM 6*: @ Kelowna  9:05 PM

4/4, GM 7*: @ Portland  9:00 PM

Colin Jacobs

Unlike Noesen & Martin who already had playoff spots clinched, Colin Jacob's Seattle Thunderbirds was in a playoff battle for the last several weeks that came up short for the 2nd straight year for the Thunderbirds as they failed to make the playoffs as Seattle got drilled, 8-2, in their season finale and lost a critical game to the Everett Silvertips, 6-4, that would have knocked out of the Everett Silvertips from the Playoff Race and would have seen Seattle clinch the League's Final Playoff Spot. Instead, it will be the Everett Silvertips advancing to the Playoffs instead of the Thunderbirds who will be on the outside looking in for the 3rd straight year.

Jacobs finished the regular season by playing in 44 games after he was out for most of the 1st half of the season with shoulder problems who didn't make his season debut till December 12th. He finished the regular season with 19 points (9G 10A) with a -18 and 46 penalty minutes. He was focused on improving his defensive and physical game as his shoulders were getting better over the course of the 2nd half of the season. 

Those numbers don't sound great but this was a Thunderbirds Team that scored the 2nd fewest goals in the season (173), only Prince George had scored fewer with 166. Seattle also had the worst GD in the league with a -119 over the course of the season, so it made it very difficult for the Thunderbirds to have a competitive shot at the playoffs. For them to keep it this close all the way to end of the season should be considered a strong feat in itself.

Allen losses again against Quad City, 3-2

The Americans blew another chance to take advantage of their games in hand as they continue to get away from the Texas Brahmas in the race for 2nd Place and Home Ice Advantage in a possible 1st Round Series, 3-2, against the Quad City Mallards lat night in the 1st night of a 2 game set against the Mallards who are battling with the Rapid City Rush & Missouri Mavericks for the final 2 playoff spots in Turner Conference with basically 10 games left in the season.

This was one of Allen's 3 games in hand over the final 3 weeks and it could have given them a chance to continue to separate themselves from the Texas Brahmas as they look to protect 2nd Place as the Wichita Thunder are close to clinching the top Seed in the Berry Conference and will be looking to hold off the Ft. Wayne Komets & Evansville IceMen for Home Ice Throughout the entire playoffs as well.

One of the big things that is hurting the Americans is the absence of the team's leading scorer Bruce Graham who was injured in the February 4th Game against the Tulsa Oilers. His injury has made him that much more valuable as he was named a Finalist for the CHL MVP this season. Since then, the team has struggled to score most nights as they have been held to 2 goals or less in 8 of the last 12 games as the Brahmas have gotten hot as well behind the great goaltending of Mark Guggenberger. Both the Brahmas & Americans still have 4 head-to-head games coming up (Including a 3-in-3 night stretch that could very well decide who will finish in 2nd Place).

Both Allen & Quad City will meet again tomorrow night at the Allen Event Center as the game will start at 7:05 PM. Next up for the Brahmas on the other hand will be on Friday Night, March 9 when the Brahmas face the Missouri Mavericks. A Brahmas win and an Americans loss on Thursday will put the Brahmas back in 2nd Place in the Berry Conference.

Press Release from the Allen Americans

Quad City Mallards 3  Allen Americans 2  (2-0, 1-0, 0-2)

From Allen, Texas: The Quad City Mallards scored two first period goals, on their way to a 3-2 victory Tuesday Night at the Allen Event Center. The Mallards opened the scoring in the first period when Mallards Forward Micky Lang fired one from just inside the blue line that hit the arm of Americans netminder Rejean Beauchemin and trickled behind him.

Beauchemin tried to knock the puck away with his stick but pushed it across the line and Mallards were on top by a score of 1-0. Fifteen seconds later it was Lang again, this time on a feed from CHL All Star Brendon Marino from the right face-off circle. Lang fired a quick shot that beat Beauchemin to the glove side and the Mallards were on top by a score of 2-0. Allen out shot Quad City 7-5 in the opening period.

The Mallards added to their lead in the second despite being out shot 17-13 through two periods and 10-8 in that second period, as Quad City forward Jason Kostadine followed up a rebound in front of the Allen net putting one top-shelf shot on the back-hand to give Quad city a 3-0 cushion. The Americans had several chances in that second period but former Americans netminder David McKee turned away shot after shot keeping the Americans off the scoreboard from 40 minutes.

In the third, the Americans finally solved McKee, as Colton Yellow Horn found Jim McKenzie in front of the Allen net to make it a 3-1 game. McKenzie's 19th of the season and his third goal in his last three games. The Americans cut the lead to one goal at the 10:52 mark on the power play when Dylan King let one rip from the right side beating McKee and the Americans were back in it. However, a late charge by Allen would fall just a little short, as McKee would not allow the tying goal despite Allen Pressure, and the Mallards would win the game 3-2 in the first ever meeting between the two clubs. The Americans host Quad City on Thursday Night at 7:05 PM at the Allen Event Center

Austin Smith Interview on The Pipeline Show

Austin Smith with the Colgate Raiders. From the Alliance Bulldogs Alumni Page & the Colgate Hockey Team Websites.



Before the Colgate Raiders will host the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the ECAC Quarterfinals beginning on Friday Night for a chance to win the Conference Championship next weekend in Atlantic City. On last night's show, Smith was interviewed on such topics on being surprised that the Stars were interested in him late in the Draft Process, how he felt about last season after having hip surgery and going into what he mentioned as "The Most Important Off Season of his life". Surprisingly, they was very little discussion about his chances about his Hobey Baker Chances as the Top 10 Vote will be announced on March 15.

The guys also talked briefly about his experience with the Gunnery Prep School in Connecticut during his Junior & Senior Years of High Schools to prepare him and help his chances of being drafted by the Stars which took him in the 5th Round (128th overall) back in 2007. Then going to Penticton  for the 2007-08 season where he was the Team's Leading Goal Scorer to help the Vees win the 2008 BCHL Championship; and his career up to this point at Colgate University which finished the ECAC in 4th Place with a 17-14-3 Overall & 11-10-1 Record with 23 points in the standings.

Through Colgate's Regular Season Finale, he finished the regular season with a NCAA Leading 34 goals with 52 points overall. For his entire career, Smith has stock piled 155 points in 148 career NCAA Games, averaging a strong 1.05 PPG over his College Career. He will look to get the Raiders back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 when they lost to Colorado College 6-5 in the Mid-West Regional Semifinal.

To do so will be tough as many experts are thinking that the ECAC will be a 1 team conference for this year's tournament, so it's most likely be win the Conference or Bust for every body in the ECAC Hockey Playoffs. I'm sure he would love to do one of the few things that has eluded his career and that is pull off a strong run or even something like a big first Round Upset at the NCAA Tournament to end his NCAA Career on a high before he goes off to the Pro Ranks as he looks to eventually join the Dallas Stars and end his journey where it began in his home town.

About The Pipeline Show: Based in Edmonton, Alberta, The Pipeline Show is one of the biggest Radio Shows in North America talking about NHL Prospects, as well as the latest news and features on NCAA & Canadian Hockey League Teams & Players. Hosts Dean Millard & Guy Flaming also talk to many different scouts, broadcasters, coaches and media personnel to discuss which young players are on the verge to burst onto the NHL Scene. It comes on twice a week on Tuesday Nights from 8-10 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM-1 PM. You can listen live online at The Team 1260, or you can listen to previous interviews and features on their huge Archive Section on the The Pipeline Show's Website.

In addition to extensive coverage of the NCAA & CHL, they also discuss the news revolving around the biggest Prospect Hockey Events during the season. The show's Grand Slam of events are the NCAA Frozen Four in April, the CHL Memorial Cup in May, NHL Draft in June & the World Junior Hockey Championships during the Holidays. In addition to the Grand Slam Events, some other big events include the RBC Cup which is the Canadian Jr. A National Championships, the AHL Calder Cup & the IIHF U18 World Championships.

Austin Smith Interview on the The Pipeline Show

Full March 6 Episode

Austin Smith Colgate Profile

Colgate's Austin Smith for Hobey Baker Section

Upcoming Dates for the NCAA Hockey Playoffs & Hobey Baker Award Countdown

3/9-11: Conference Quarterfinals

3/15: Hobey Baker Award Top Ten Announcement

3/15-17: Conference Champions hp Weekend

3/18: NCAA Hockey Tournament Selection Show

3/23-25: NCAA Tournament Regional Rounds

3/29: Hobey Baker Final Three Announcement

4/5: NCAA Frozen Four Semifinals

4/6: Hobey Baker Award Winner Announcement

4/7: NCAA Hockey National Championship Game

Mark Guggenberger named CHL 3rd Star of the Month

After an impressive month where the Brahmas Goalie Mark Guggenberger has began to take over the Team's net after having a bit of a up-and-down season prior to February where the Brahmas were in the battle with Tulsa & RGV for the 3rd, 4th & 5th Spots in the Berry Conference Playoff Race. Now Guggenberger has begun to takeover the net and has been the biggest reason why the Brahmas have run away with the #3 Seed and are now just 1 Point back of Allen for 2nd Place which would get them first round Home Ice in the CHL Playoffs at the end of March/first of April.

Of the 11 games left this season, the Brahmas have 4 games left against the Americans including a 3 game weekend from March 16-18 which is the 2nd to last weekend of the regular season and could make the difference in who could be the #2 Seed in the Berry Conference and a possible Berry Conference Semifinal Preview with both Wichita and the Rio Grande Valley/Tulsa Battle having big gaps in the Conference.

With the playoffs now just under a month away, he will have to raise his game even more as the Brahmas have continued to score the 2nd fewest goals this season with 142 goals scored in 55 games this season. Only the Dayton Gems have scored fewer goals with 139 this season with 11 games left in the regular season.

The main playoff battle for the 2nd Seed and a possible 1st Round Home Ice could come in the weekend of March 16th through 18th when the Brahmas & Americans have a 3 game series that weekend (3/16-17 in Allen, 3/18 in NRH). Their is also a game on March 24th (The night before the end of the regular season) in Allen to wrap up the regular season series.

His best showing in February came the week of February where he had 3 straight shutouts against Allen (on 2/14), Dayton (on 2/15) and Rio Grande Valley (on 2/17) where that was part of a streak where he gave up 1 goal or less that lasted 6 straight games. He's won 9 of his last 10 starts and was also named the Goalie of the Week for the week ending on February 19th.

Here's the CHL Press Release

From the CHL Staff: Wichita Thunder Forward Matt Robinson, Evansville IceMen forward Todd Robinson and Texas Brahmas Goalie Mark Guggenberger have been named the 'Oakley Three Stars for the month of February 2012.

For winning the 'Oakley Three Star Player of the Month, Matt Robinson will receive a special gift from Oakley. Learn more about Oakley Products at www.oakley.com

Players are awarded five points for first star recognition, three points for a second star nod and a single point for being named the third star of the game. Keep up with the season standings and quest to be the Oakley Three Stars Player of the Year at www.centralhockeyleague.com

1st Star: Matt Robinson, F, Wichita Thunder

Robinson finished the month with 12 goals with five of them serving as game winners and 18 points. He was named first star four times and the second star three times, good for 29 points. The Surrey, B.C. native has 29 goals and 21 assists on the season.

2nd Star: Todd Robinson, F, Evansville IceMen

Robinson recorded a point in every game during the month of February which serves as the longest point of the CHL this season (15 Games), During the month, the Trail, B.C. Native was named the first star four times, the second star twice and third star once accounting for 27 points. On the Season, Robinson leads the league with 80 points (21G 59A)

3rd Star, Mark Guggenberger, G, Texas Brahmas

Guggenberger was the top goaltender during the month posting a 9-1-1 record with three shutouts and a 1.21 GAA. The Richfield, Minnesota native was the first star four times and third star twice, good for 22 points. Guggenberger leads the league with a 1.82 GAA and a .930 SV%.

Mike Heika's Weekly Stars Chat

Every Thursday during the hockey season, Mike Heika gets the chance to chat with Stars fans. With the season beginning to comedown the home stretch. What kind of records needed to get back to the playoffs was a big topic of discussion.

Also topics like Eric Nystrom's hit on Kris Letang during the Stars VS. Penguins Game that became very  after it was revealed that Nystrom will not be suspended for the play. Also the crowds as they beginning to slowly win back hockey fans with the recent run where they won 4 in a row including a big win Sunday Afternoon against Vancouver on Sunday Afternoon.

With just 18 games left and their looking to to start putting some pressure like San Jose & Chicago for the 6th & 7th Place Spots and are also just 4 points back of Pacific Division Leading Phoenix Coyotes which would get them an automatic top 3 spot. Their becoming a team that can really be at least a dangerous lower seed in the playoffs and with guys like Ryan Garbutt who came out of nowhere to make an impact, as well as players like Brendan Morrow who are out who are on the verge of coming back.

Also in Austin, it could be a chance for players like Scott Glennie, Matt Fraser, Colton Sceviour & Jordie Benn possibly looking to get some call ups as the Texas Stars Playoff Hopes are beginning to disappear as they sit on the bottom of the AHL Western Conference to bring in some energy and to challenge some of the top players as well.

It will be a Western Canada Road Trip coming up for the Stars with Edmonton tomorrow night, Calgary on Sunday Afternoon and wrapping up in Vancouver on Tuesday Night.

Mike Heika Chat Replay

AT&T Metroplex HS Hockey League Playoff Races

The AT&T Metroplex HS Hockey League Regular Season will be wrapping up the regular season tonight with still plenty to play for throughout the League. The Silver Tier South Division Title between Midlothian & Keller ISD should be one of the most exciting races as Keller ISD holds their fate in their hands while Midlothian has a chance to take over thanks to a tie-breaker.

During the 2 head-to-head matchups this season, Midlothian took over both the games late as back in October, Midlothian was able to off a 3rd period Keller ISD Surge when Brent Jones scored in the final minute after Keller ISD made it 3-2 with just under 3 minutes left. Back in Februrary when the Division Leaders met again, it was Joseph Dancy & Brent Jones teaming up to score at the beginning and near the end of the periods along with Daniel Deweerd to turn a 1-1 game into a 4-1 victory.

For Midlothian to win the South Division Title, they need a win over FM Marcus while Denton County needs to beat Keller ISD in regulation for the scenario to happen. Anything else and Keller ISD would clinch the South Division Title tonight.

It will be interesting to see how Denton County comes out tonight after seeing both GCISD & Mansfield ISD losing in regularization to keep their slim Playoff Hopes alive only to lose to Flower Mound in OT after coming back from 3-0 down late in the 2nd period to force OT, only to lose 4-3 where they were under 30 seconds from at least forcing a shootout.

Expect it to be all or nothing for Denton County as they would like to end the season on a high with no playoff hopes and looking to pull off a major upset to end the season, or it could be that they so devastated from last week's loss that they have nothing left for this week.

For the 4th & Final Playoff Spot in the South Division, Mansfield ISD holds the advantage as they play Southlake Carroll where a win or OT Loss would get them into the playoffs. GCISD has been falling in recent weeks as Grapevine/Colleyville has lost 4 of their last 5 games where after being in the South Division Playoff Picture for nearly the entire season has them now looking for Southlake Carroll looking to knockoff Mansfield ISD tonight as GCISD holds the Tie-Breaker as they have beaten Mansfield ISD both times they have played this season.

Back in October, both teams played in what was the highest scoring game of the season where a combined 24 goals were scored in that game where Blake Gober, Ryan Macho (4G), Trey McMillian (3G 2A) & Blake Gober (3G 1A) each had hat tricks for GCISD. Despite the loss, Mansfield ISD responded well where Spencer Erickson had an 8 Point Night (5G 3A) & Bryce Claxton had a 6 point night (2G 4A). One of the most dramitic parts of that game saw Claxton & Erickson team up on two goals in 23 seconds to get the game within one before Gober scored an unassisted goal in the final seconds to secure the 13-11 win in a game where they needed every goal scored that night.

Unfortuantley in recent weeks for GCISD, losses in 4 of their last 5 games have seen them lose 4th Place to Mansfield and now need Southlake Carroll's Help to beat Mansfield in Regulation. If they can do that, then a GCISD Regulation Win over Flower Mound would clinch the league's final playoff spot where the winner will play the North Division Champion Plano East Panthers in the Silver Tier Quarterfinals next week.

Elsewhere in the league will have a battle for the 2nd of the Gold Tier QF Round Byes as Plano West will not only look to finally fight off Dallas Jesuit who sits in 3rd but are still in position to overtake Arlington ISD for the #1 Seed in the Gold Tier Playoffs. AISD can put any fears of being taken over to bed with a win over last place Coppell tonight, if Plano West can win and Arlington ISD losses, then the Wolves will take over the #1 Spot.

The Wolves also have a tie-breaker as well after beating Arlington ISD three-out-of-four games this season where the Wolves need a victory and have Arlington ISD lose to Coppell in Overtime tonight where both teams would finish the regular season with 29 points during the regular season.

For Highland Park, Prosper & McKinney ISD, it's a battle for seeding as three teams are separated by just a point to determine 2-4 in the North Division. Unfortunately, it will be a tough matchup as they will all get caught up in the Keller ISD, Midlothian & Southlake Carroll trio that has dominated the Silver Tier all year long and will be looked as favorites when the Silver Tier Playoffs begin on March 7th.

Highland Park has kind of been stuck in a rut over the last few weeks as they barely beat teams like Frisco ISD & Bishop Lynch who are both eliminated from playoff contention and even got beat by Garland ISD who has the area's worst record (Gold or Silver Tier) this season.

Only 2 games throughout the area tonight have nothing on the line for tonight. Those are Garland ISD VS. Frisco ISD over in McKinney and Bishop Lynch VS. Richardson/Rockwall in Farmers Branch with teams that are either out of the playoffs or hve teams witht heir playoff seed already locked in. The rest of the games have teams that are either looking to get in or at least looking to improve their seeding situation when the playoffs begin next week.

For the HS Gold Tier Champions, they will advance and repersent Texas at the USA Hockey HS National Championship in Salt Lake City from March 21-25. While the Top Silver Tier Teams will join the top HS Teams from Houston & Austin at the State HS Silver Tier Championship from March 23-25 in a location yet TBD.

Here's a look at tonight's Schedule for the AT&T Metroplex HS Hockey League Regular Season Finale.

Gold Tier

Coppell VS. Arlington ISD  7:00 PM @ Euless Stars Center

Dallas Jesuit VS. Plano Senior  7:00 PM @ McKinney Stars Center

Allen VS. Plano West  8:45 PM @ McKinney Stars Center

Silver Tier

Keller ISD VS. Denton County  6:30 PM @ Farmers Branch Stars Center

McKinney ISD VS. Highland Park  7:15 PM @ McKinney Stars Center

Southlake Carroll VS. Mansfield ISD  7:30 PM @ Euless Stars Center

Prosper VS. Plano East  8:15 PM @ Farmers Branch Stars Center

GCISD VS. Flower Mound  8:45 PM @ Euless Stars Center

Garland ISD VS. Frisco ISD 9:00 PM @ McKinney Stars Center

Bishop Lynch VS. Richardson/Rockwall  9:00 PM @ Farmers Branch Stars Center

FM Marcus VS. Midlothian  9:15 PM @ Euless Stars Center

San Antonio grinds out Comeback Win in Chicago

In a game that was mostly uneventful up in Chicago as the Rampage were wrapping up their Rodeo Road Trip against the Chicago Wolves last night. The Rampage had a grind out a 2-1 victory in a critical game against a Wolves Team that is looking to stay in the race for the 4th & Final Home Ice Spot in the AHL Western Conference Playoff Race. Like in the NHL, the AHL Western Conference Playoff Race gap from 4th Place Chicago all the way down to 10th Place Rochester is just 4 points as most teams have around 20 games left in the regular season.

San Antonio has had a bit of a up and down Rodeo Road Trip but they have ramped it up in the 2nd half of the Road Trip by winning 4 of their last 5 in very low scoring fashion recently. All 4 of their wins have had them scoring 2 or fewer goals in all of the recent wins which included a 1-0 Shutout win over Oklahoma City on February 19th; and a pair of critical wins over the Peoria Rivermen which helped them breakout of the being along the playoff borderline as the Rampage have been able to jump up in a tie for 4th with the Chicago Wolves & Abbotsford Heat. They're currently 6th in the Western Conference Playoffs Race and if the post season started today, they would play the Mid-West Division Leading Charlotte Checkers in the Conference Quarterfinals.

After going 7-3-1 during the 11 Game Rodeo Road Trip that took up nearly the entire month of February. The team will finally return home on Saturday Night when they take on the Houston Aeros on Saturday Night who are playing only their 3rd game since February 24th as the Aeros are in the middle of one their lightest stretches of the Season Schedule after coming off a split last weekend in Austin against the Texas Stars.

With both teams in the Western Conference Mindfield, both teams are needing such a critical win that could get them as high as 4th Place if teams like the Abbotsford Heat & the Peoria Rivermen lose coming up on Friday Night. The Rampage will finish the regular season with 11 of their final 19 games at home. Of the 11 remaining home games, they will have a 5 game homestand that starts on March 11 against the Lake Erie Monsters, Abbotsford Heat, Rockford Icehogs and a pair against the Grand Rapids Griffins which will wrap up the homestand on March 22nd.

Military Night

The Rampage will be having their annual Military Appreciation Night coming up on Saturday, March 3rd when the Rampage play the Aeros where they will have a special pre-game ceremony. As well as a ticket special where any current solider or veteran with a Military ID for any available set for that game for just $10 that night.

In addition, the team will be wearing special Military Uniforms that will be auctioned off after the game that will raise money for the San Antonio Rampage Sled Team that is for disabled hockey players, some of whom are Military Veterans. Last year, the team raised nearly $44,000 and have raised over $180,000 over the 8 years the team has had this promotion.

For more info, you can call any Rampage Representative at 210-444-5554 on this special night as the team returns from it's annual Rodeo Road Trip against Houston and look continue their strong run of late at home for the first time in nearly a month.

Rampage Military Night Info

The Rampage Visit San Antonio Lackland Joint Base

San Antonio Rampage 2  Chicago Wolves 1  (0-0, 0-1, 2-0)

San Antonio Rampage VS. Chicago Wolves Audio Highlights

Coach Chuck Weber Pre-Game Interview

Tyson Strachan Interview

San Antonio Rampage Press Release



The San Antonio Rampage received third period goals from Forward Greg Rallo and defensemen Nolan Yonkman to the top the Chicago Wolves, 2-1, on Wednesday Night at All-State Arena.

After a scoreless opening period, Chicago Scored the game's first goal at the 8:36 mark of the second frame. Defensemen Yaunn Sauve sent a seeing eye shot on goal that beat Rampage backstop Jacob Markstrom to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead. Center Jordan Schroeder and forward Anton Rodin notched the assists on Sauve's second goal of the season.

Rallo tied the game at for San Antonio at 3:45 into the third period with a power play goal. His shot from the slot eluded Chicago Goaltender Eddie Lack and knotted the game at 1-1. Forwards Bracken Kearns and Bill Thomas were credited with the assists' on Rallo's 16th marker of the year.

Yonkman gave San Antonio a 2-1 edge just over 4 minutes later. He registered his second goal of 2011-2012 on a shot from the blueline that beat Lack to his right. The lone helper on the play went to Center Scott Timmins.

Markstrom made 27 saves on 28 Wolves shots for his eighth win of the season. Lack turned aside 28 of 30 San Antonio attempts in the Chicago Loss.

The Rampage end the Rodeo Road Trip with a 7-3-0-1 record and franchise best winning percentage (.682%).

The Rampage (31-23-2-1) returns home for Military Appreciation on Saturday when they host the Houston Aeros at 7 PM (CT) at the AT&T Center.





Rocky Mountain Regional Tier 1 U18 Championship

A few weeks after the Dallas Stars Elites dominated the Tier 1 State Tournament from February 10-12. Both the Stars Elites & Alliance Bulldogs will now move on to the upcoming Rocky Mountain Regional Championships that will take place from March 1-4 up at Big Bear Arena in Denver as the Stars Elites & Alliance Bulldogs at the U12, U16 & U18 levels with the opportunity to represent the Rocky Mountain Region at the USA Hockey National Tier 1 Championship that will take place in Buffalo, N.Y. from March 28 through April 1.

Unlike the Tier 2 Teams where the State Champions go straight to Nationals, the Regional is used because of the small number of teams of each state (or none at all in some states like Oklahoma & New Mexico) to use to determine who will play at Nationals. After seeing the action of the Texas Amateur Hockey Association (TAHA) back earlier this month, I feel that Texas should have had only one team at Regional because of the great disparity of the Stars Elites & Alliance Bulldogs over the last couple of years.

For instance, in addition to the U12, U16 & U18 Tier 1 Teams getting sweeped by the Stars Elites at the State Tournament; the Alliance Bulldogs U14 Tier 2 Team made it the Final only to get crushed by the Ice Jets as well. So that tells you the decline of the Alliance Bulldogs Program in recent years (But that's another story for another day).

The U18's are coming off a very strong season in the Tier 1 Elite League where they went 27-8-5 where they ran away with the Pacific Division Title winning by 16 points over the LA Jr. Kings & finished in a tie for 2nd Place with the Chicago Fury with 59 points. Even in the Tier 1 Elite League Season Finale when the Stars Elites played Victory Honda, they were leading 2-0 at the end of 2 periods before 3 unanswered goals for Victory Honda helped them win 3-2 in a 3rd period comeback. If you include all their games, they finished the regular season 32-8-5 where most recently, the Stars Elites went 3-1 during their final Tier 1 Elite League Showcase of the season in the Detroit Area with wins over the Cleveland Barons, Oakland Grizzlies & Belle Tire over the course of the Showcase.

Coming up this we as they have been drawn with the Alliance Bulldogs again during the Regional Tournament Group Stage, they will also play the Pikes Peak Miners which compete in the North American Prospects Hockey League & finished  finished 3rd in the Colorado Tier 1 League behind power houses Colorado Rampage & Colorado Thunderbirds, as well as the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes who in 4 games this season, the Stars Elites went 3-0-1 during the Tier 1 Elite League Season.

It was a series where all 4 games were close including in the first head-to-head matchup of the season on October 10 where despite not trailing for the entire game, the Jr. Coyotes were able to get the game tied on every occasion to earn a 4-4 draw. Also back in the December, the Stars Elites had to comeback from a 3-2 deficit when Brad Ferguson started a 3rd period surge where the Special Teams shined big time by scoring twice in the final 7 minutes of the game. Ferguson tied the game with 6:48 left in the 3rd period to tie it at 3-3. He also scored a an empty netter in the final seconds to win 5-3. William Clark also scored the game winner with just under a minute left to eventually put the game out-of-hand for the Jr. Coyotes

These close games should provide the team with a big confidence booster to play them in the upcoming Regional. But the team shouldn't take them lightly knowing how they have challenged them over the course of the season. They should be seen at least as a slight favorite to possibly win the group. Despite the Pikes Peak Miners finishing 3rd in Colorado, the strong Crop of Tier 1 Talent in Colorado as well as the improving North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) should prepare them well for this tournament.

Alliance will be looked as a major underdog this year after losing 4 of 5 games overall this year against the Stars Elites. As well as struggling in events like their 2 High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) Events this year in early December & Mid-January where they lost every game in those Showcases. Including getting wipped by Honeybaked 10-0 on January 15th & a 6-3 loss to the Ice Jets back on December 3rd where in a game that got away from them after the Bulldogs had the game tied at 3-3 at one point only to lose 6-3.

Other low lights of the season came back in Mid-December where during a trip to Colorado in a game against the Colorado Rampage where a 5 goal 3rd period end any hopes of upset against one of Colorado's Best Teams at the Tier 1 Level. They went on to go winless that weekend which also included a 9-1 loss against the Pikes Peak Miners & a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Rampage that weekend.

Also closer to home, saw the team tie the Dallas Oilers U18 AA Team 3-3 the weekend before the State Tournament. Even though this is part weakness' of the Alliance Bulldogs & part of the growing strength the Dallas Oilers are having in winning the U18 Tier 2 State Championship. No matter how strong a AA Team is, the AAA Team, especially a Tier 1 Team, should be a sizeable favorite no matter how good a team because of the amount of practice & Game Time differences have in the two levels. By pulling a tie against the Alliance Bulldogs AA, this should set them up well for a possible strong U18 Tier 2 Tournament Run in Michigan that starts up a month from today

In all, the U18 Tier 1 Tournament will have 8 teams divided into 2 groups of 4. Group A will feature the Colorado Powers in the Colorado Thunderbirds & Colorado Rampage as well as the Phoenix Firebirds & the Utah Regulators. While Group B will feature the Dallas Stars Elites & Alliance Bulldogs along with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes & Pikes Peak Miners. Each team will play once per day during the Group Stage on Thursday, Friday & early on Saturday.

The Semifinals will take place on Saturday Night with the winners playing each other for the Regional Championship Game Sunday Afternoon. The winner will move on the National Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. from March 28 through April 1 in Buffalo, N.Y. Last year, both the Stars Elites & Alliance Bulldogs advanced to the Semifinals and even were matched up against each other where the Stars Elites defeated the Alliance Bulldogs 3-2 in the Semifinals only to roughed up in the Final where they lost to the Colorado Thunderbirds 7-2 for the Regional Championship when the Tournament was in Dallas.

With Nationals on the line, expect everybody to be putting everyone on the line as a spot in Nationals is on the line and everyone else bascially planning to wrap up their season after this weekend. One of the few execptions to this rule is the Dallas Stars Elites heading up Fairbault, Minnesota to play Shattuck St. Marys the weekend of 3/17-18 that will be used as a National Championship Tune up.

If they don't quailify, they will still play but it will be looking to end the season on a high and it will have a very different tune for the Stars Elites as Shattuck will be playing their final games before the National Championship with the Stars Elites as a team will have nothing to play for.

For Alliance, any kind of big victory would be a huge achomplishment after the down season the team has had this year as they will be viewed as one of the weakeast teams in this year's Rocky Mountain Regional Tournament. Especially with them being paired in the same group as the Stars Elites after losing 4-of-5 this season. It's most likely going to be a long weekend for the Bulldogs this weekend.

Here's the Full U18 Tier 1 Regional Championship Schedule in Denver, Colorado

Group A: Colorado Rampage, Colorado Thunderbirds, Phoenix Firebirds, Utah Regulators

Group B: Alliance Bulldogs, Dallas Stars Elites, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, Pikes Peak Miners

3/1

Colorado Rampage VS. Phoenix Firebirds  5:45 PM

Utah Regulators VS. Colorado Thunderbirds 6:00 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Phoenix Jr. Cyotes  8:00 PM

Alliance Bulldogs VS. Pikes Peak Miners  8:15 PM

3/2

Colorado Rampage VS. Colorado Thunderbirds  5:45 PM

Utah Regulators VS. Phoenix Firebirds  6:00 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Pikes Peak Miners  8:00 PM

Phoenix Jr. Coyotes VS. Alliance Bulldogs  8:15 PM

3/3

Colorado Rampage VS. Utah Regulators  12:30 PM

Phoenix Firebirds VS. Colorado Thunderbirds  12:45 PM

Dallas Stars Elites VS. Alliance Bulldogs  2:45 PM

Phoenix Jr. Coyotes VS. Pikes Peak Miners  3:00 PM

SF #1: 1A VS. 2B  9:15 PM

SF #2: 1B VS. 2A  9:30 PM

3/4

Final: SF Winners  1:30 PM



This weekend's Junior Schedule 2/24-26

With the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament now behind the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The league is back to the regular season as the final month of the NAHL Regular season is getting into high gear as the fight for 1st Round Home Ice between the Topeka Roadrunners & Texas Tornado will be getting into high gear as both teams have tough road series' this weekend as the Tornado will travel to Amarillo to face the Bulls; while the Roadrunners head to the Northwest to play the Wenatchee Wild as they are looking to overtake the Alaska Avalanche for 2nd Place in the West Coast Division with both teams having 14 & 15 games left this season.

Texas is in a part of the schedule where they are playing the Bulls 3 out of 4 weekend series as the Bulls were able to win a pair of 1 goal games where the Bulls won 5-4 & 3-2 in OT last weekend going into the Top Prospects Tournament which allowed Topeka to get a series split against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs who are leading the West Coast Division with 13 games left in the regular season. And are looking to defend the NAHL Robertson Cup Championship this year in Frisco coming up in May.

The only break from the Bulls will be on March 2nd & 3rd when the team heads to Kansas to play the Roadrunners for the final time of the regular season and possible 1st Round Playoff Preview which could be the decider to determine home ice advantage in a possible playoff series in Early April.

After this long road trip wraps up, the Tornado will finish the regular season with 4 of their final 6 at home with home series against the New Mexico Mustangs (3/16-17) & the Corpus Christi Icerays (3/30-31) to bring an end to the regular season. The Final Road of the regular season trip after this will be back in Corpus Christi on March 23rd & 24th.

Other important series in the region this weekend includes another #4 VS. #5 Series with the Corpus Christi Icerays & Odessa Jackalopes in a home-and-home this weekend where the IceRays are looking to get out of a bit of a tail spin they have been in recently after having a bit of a let down weekend against the New Mexico Mustangs where despite getting 3 out of 4 points, it didn't look that convincing as the Mustangs were able to control huge portions of both games last weekend.

New Mexico was able to have a rare strong series, it's not only the points back but the number of teams they have to jump over both Wichita Falls & Odessa to have a shot of taking down Corpus Christi for the 4th & Final Playoff spot in the South Division.

Also working against them is how the Mustangs have the fewest games remaining of the chasing pack. While Odessa (14 GR) & Wichita Falls (12 GR) still have chances to get ahead. New Mexico only has 11 games left in the regular season

The IceRays can put themselves in a position where they could be as many as 13 points up on Odessa and looking to put a knockout punch on the chasing pack of Odessa, Wichita Falls & New Mexico to end their playoff hopes as all 3 teams are looking to find a way to stay in the chase.

The WSHL has the Mid-West Division Leading El Paso Rhinos entreating the Dallas Ice Jets this weekend. With El Paso already clinching the Mid-West Division top seed, the Ice Jets are looking to use this as an opportunity to create some distance between themselves and the Texas Jr. Brahmas who are sitting in 3rd Place, just 5 points back of the Ice Jets as the Jr. Brahmas will be playing a home-and-home against the lowly Dallas Snipers who are just going through the motions of wrapping up the season as they have been out of playoff contention for weeks now.

There is also a lot of motivation for the Ice Jets after they got swept by the Rhinos just after New Years, and it wasn't just a bad weekend for the Ice Jets but a series that turned the tide in the Mid-West Division Race where the Rhinos took the Division Lead and haven't looked back ever since. Since then, the Rhinos have won 13 of their last 15 in which most of it has taken down some weak competition like scoring 14 & 10 goals in back-to-back games against the Phoenix Knights for example.

The Ice Jets on the other hand have had some issues since New Years where they are currently on a 5 game losing streak where they got swept by the Idaho Jr. Steelheads.

With the Ice Jets & Rhinos currently #1 & #2 in the Mid-West Division, this could be a possible preview for the Mid-West Division Final & a Round Robin Game in the WSHL Throne Cup as El Paso will be hosting and having an automatic spot in this year's Championship Tournament.

This weeks Junior Schedule

North American Hockey League

2/24

Texas Tornado VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Odessa Jackalopes  7:05 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:05 PM

2/25

Texas Tornado VS. Amarillo Bulls  7:00 PM

New Mexico Mustangs VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats  7:25 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Corpus Christi Icerays  7:35 PM

Western States Hockey League

2/24

New Mexico Renegades VS. Boulder Bison  8:15 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

Dallas Snipers VS. Texas Jr. Brahmas  9:00 PM

2/25

Texas Jr. Brahmas VS. Dallas Snipers  7:30 AM

New Mexico Renegades VS. Boulder Bison  8:15 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos  8:30 PM

2/26

New Mexico Renegades VS. Boulder Bison  1:00 PM

Dallas Ice Jets VS. El Paso Rhinos  5:30 PM