We continue to enjoy the Stanley Cup Playoffs on NBC but forget not that several Dallas Stars and would-be Dallas Stars battle on in the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs as Texas takes on the Grand Rapids Griffins in round-two.
Texas took a 3-2 lead last night thanks to overtime heroics from the Stars’ own Chris Mueller, who scored just 3:18 into the extra frame tonight as the series shifts back to Cedar Park.
It was a costly one, however, as Stars goatlending prospect Jack Campbell suffered yet another injury despite what most reports say was a spectacular outing in net- And to make matters worse center Justin Dowling also appears out, though no official word on the maladies has yet been heard.
Desjardins started Campbell in game one of the series, but inserted Nihlstorp in game two after the Campbell win. Nihlstorp shut-out the Griffins and was naturally awarded the next start- Wait, no. Campbell started game three, and then was pulled. Nihlstorp woud start game four and lose.
So it was back to Campbell again last night, who had stopped 34 of 36 before leaving late in the third, including a penalty shot against.
At least Nihlstorp isn’t exactly coming in cold. Either way, Campbell’s absence, if protracted, could finally force White-board Willie to stick with a starter for a change.
Here are some highlights from last night’s contest, though, not the one you’d want to see…
WOOD TV. You can’t make this stuff up.
Interesting comments in there from the Griffins, who clearly felt they were the better team- At least last night. Les they forget, Texas out-scored them 9-2 in the first two games of the series, which now shifts back to Cedar Park for games six and seven.
How Texas fares without Campbell and Dowling, who has eight points in eight playoff games so far this post-season, will be interesting. The more playoff experience for Patrik Nemeth, Jamie Oleksiak, Brett Ritchie and company, the better…
They battle for one more win, and the chance to face the Toronto Marlies, who are a perfect 7-0 in the playoffs having already advanced to the conference finals.
As always, for complete coverage of the Texas Stars visit Stephen at Hundred Degree Hockey.com.