Stars Drop Opener, More Positives than Negatives

The Texas Stars (0-1-0-0) dropped their opening game of the 2023 / 2024 season to the Tucson Roadrunners (1-0-0-0) by a score 3-to-1.  Five of the 20 skaters for the Stars were in their first professional hockey game, underscoring why the AHL is the developmental league to the NHL. 

The Stars appeared sluggish for the majority of the first period.  Tucson’s Jan Jenik scored unassisted in the fifth minute of play.  Texas’ upped the pace of the game later in the period, producing Kyle McDonald’s first goal of his professional career. 

The team’s exchanged goal in the middle frame, starting with Josh Doan’s power play goal midway through the period for Tucson.  The Stars’ Logan Stankoven tied the game with the first goal of his career, also on a power play. 

Milos Kelemen claimed the lead for the visitors in the 12th minute of play in the third period, assisted by Aku Raty. 

“For the most part, we played within ourselves.  There’s definitely a lot of areas to clean up.  You can say the same for them (Tucson), said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham. There were mistakes made on both sides” 

Tucson goaltender Matthew Villalta earned the win, making 25 saves against 27 shots.  Texas’ Remi Poirier endured the loss, allowing three goals on 30 shots. 

“In terms of controllables, effort, attitude, communication, stuff like that, I think that was on-point.  I think the attempt at structure was really good.  There’s some game management and puck management that can be cleaned up.  I think there are some details withing the structure, intangibles like starting and stopping, stick positioning, takes time,” said Graham.  “We’ll be patient in that teaching process.”