Poirier Delivers Shutout, Stars Sweep Manitoba

The Texas Stars defeated the Manitoba Moose 2-0 to sweep the best-of-three AHL first round playoff series. Stars goalkeeper Remi Poirier faced down 41 shots in route to the win. 

The sweep comes on the heels of a season ending series between the same teams that saw Manitoba take both games by a combined score of 12-to-4. 

“You don’t win that game without Remi’s performance, especially in the second (period),” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham.  “Give credit to them, they played hard.  But also give credit to Remi, he made a lot of big saves for our group.” 

Manitoba goalkeeper Thomas Milic went home with the loss, allowing two goals on 22 shots. 

Both Texas goals came off the stick of Fredrik  Karlstrom and came on power plays. The first came 13 minutes into the game and was assisted by Christian Kyrou and Oskar Back.  The second goal came early in the final frame, assisted by Justin Hryckowian and Kyrou, give Texas momentum of rebuff the Manitoba onslaught. 

Manitoba out-shot Texas 11-to-5 in the final period. 

Manitoba failed to convert on three man-advantage opportunities. 

Reflecting on the moment, and looking ahead to the series against the Milwaukee Admirals, Graham said, “we knew it was going to be a really-hard series, it’s a really good opponent.  They are very well coach.  They’re physical.  And for us to play the way we did for two games is a sign of good things.  Now we have to reset ourselves for the next round.”