Somara has numerous pictures of past games I haven’t gotten around to posting thanks to all the distractions going on (or I’m very lazy) but tonight Austin’s AHL team finally was defeated in regulation after a 12-game streak. They weren’t undefeated yet when they didn’t win, they lost in overtime which hockey still awards one point; that Games Behind crap in baseball/basketball is lame and puzzling, just count the wins and move on.
I would say what the Stars achieved was pretty impressive for a brand new team since most expansion/carpetbagger teams stink: see Washington DC’s Captials and Nationals on both. Most owners coast on the team’s inaugural novelty factor to put butts in seats before they try to get serious about having a winning franchise. Then again, the Stars were pretty well organized from day one because their coaching staff came from the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL, a consistent contender for the Kelly Cup.
Despite the loss, it was only to the Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings) who are not in their division so it doesn’t affect the Stars’ standing in the West. They remain in first with a ten-point lead over Houston.
The season is 25 percent over. I hope they can keep up this level of intensity and propel us to the Calder Cup playoffs.
Meanwhile, I have to go without live hockey until next week when they have two games against my old Milwaukee Admirals during Thanksgiving.