AHL Report: Texas Stars get some key players back from injury

The Texas Stars received some reinforcements last week but still couldn't get back on track.
Texas lost two of three games to wrap up a four-game homestand with a 1-3-0 record. Texas is now 19-14-4 on the season and sits in fifth place in the AHL's Pacific Division. Defensemen Brent Regner and Niklas Hansson and forward Justin Dowling all returned from injury last week. Forward Jason Dickinson also was back from his most recent stint in the NHL. And forward Brian Flynn could return from injury this week as Texas starts a stretch of six straight games on the road. Plus, Texas captain Curtis McKenzie is headed to play in the AHL's All-Star Classic.
Here's an update on the AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars.

Wednesday, January 3: San Diego 4, Texas 3

The Stars led 2-1 after one period, but San Diego scored three straight goals in the second period to take a 4-2 lead and then held off Texas in the third for a 4-3 victory at H-E-B Center Wednesday. Austin Fyten, Gavin Bayreuther, and Curtis McKenzie scored for Texas which lost its fourth straight game (0-2-2). Mike McKenna got the start in goal and stopped 27 of 31 shots.

Friday, January 5: Texas 3, Bakersfield 2 (OT)

Curtis McKenzie scored the game-tying goal with 1:13 left in regulation and then tallied the game-winner 50 seconds into overtime as Texas defeated Bakersfield, 3-2, Friday night in Cedar Park. Tommy Thompson also scored for the Stars who snapped a four-game slide. Landon Bow stopped 30 of 32 shots to pick up the win in goal.

Saturday, January 6: Bakersfield 4, Texas 2

The Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead on first-period goals by Curtis McKenzie and Austin Fyten, but Bakersfield scored the next four goals, including three in the third period, to rally past Texas, 4-2, at H-E-B Center Saturday. Landon Bow stopped 27 of 30 shots for the Stars who fell to 1-3-2 over the past six games.

Notes: McKenzie headed to AHL All-Star Classic

\Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie has been selected to play in the AHL All-Star Classic which will be held January 28-29 in Utica, New York. McKenzie has tallied 31 points (18 goals, 13 assists) in 31 games and is tied for second in the AHL in goal scoring. This is the first AHL All-Star game selection for the 26-year-old McKenzie.
\McKenzie has scored seven goals in his last six games.
\Travis Morin leads Texas in points with 35 (5 goals, 30 assists).
\Morin leads the AHL in assists and is tied for fourth in points.
\Texas is 10-4 in games that have gone beyond regulation including 8-3 in overtime and 2-1 in shootouts.
\Texas ranks 18th in goal scoring in the AHL at 2.97 per game.
*Texas ranks 26th in the goals against at 3.41 per game.

Texas Lineup

Here is the Texas lineup from the last game.
Travis Morin - Justin Dowling - Curtis McKenzie
Jason Dickinson - Roope Hintz - Matt Mangene
Denis Gurianov - Sheldon Dries - Greg Rallo
Tommy Thompson - Austin Fyten - Colin Markison
Dillon Heatherington - Brent Regner
Andrew Bodnarchuk - Niklas Hansson
Gavin Bayreuther - Reece Scarlett
Landon Bow
Mike McKenna

Week Ahead

• Wed., Jan. 10, at Bakersfield, 8:30 p.m.
• Fri., Jan. 12, at Stockton, 9:00 p.m.
• Sat., Jan. 13, at Stockton, 8:00 p.m.

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Transactions

• 1/5: C/LW Jason Dickinson assigned to Texas (AHL) from Dallas (NHL)

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Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads won both their games last week, sweeping the Allen Americans in a two-game set in Boise. The Steelheads are 20-10-5 on the season and rank third in the ECHL's Mountain Division. Stars goaltending prospect Philippe Desrosiers started one game last week, stopping 21 of 24 shots in a 6-3 win over Allen. Desrosiers is 14-3-2 with a 2.43 goals against average and .913 save percentage.
This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.