The Texas Stars are the first team in the American Hockey League to reach the Calder Cup Finals in their first year of existence since the Chicago Wolves and Bridgeport Sound Tigers in 2002. The Stars opponent will be the Hershey Bears. The series begins in Hershey, Pa., on Thu., June 3 then moves to Cedar Park on Mon., June 7.
After losing the first two games of the Western Conference Finals on the road to the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Stars rallied to win four of the next five and earn a spot in the Calder Cup Finals. They will once again be the lower-seeded team when they face the defending champion Bears.
The Stars have been led in the playoffs by ringer Jamie Benn (who played all of the NHL season with the Dallas Stars) and goalie Matt Climie. Climie made 41 saves in the decisive game 7 while Benn has done nothing but lead the league in postseason scoring with 14 goals and 10 assists adding up to 24 playoff points. As good as the Stars have played without him, I don’t think they’d still be alive if not for Benn.
I was fortunate enough to attend game 4 of the Hamilton series Fri., May 21 where Texas won an exciting 2-1 overtime game over the Bulldogs. This was hands-down the most fun I’ve had at any type of entertainment event in quite a while and I highly recommend getting your playoff tickets now. The Cedar Park Center is both state-of-the-art and cozy and the Stars high level of play is fast-paced and exciting to witness.
2010 Calder Cup Finals
Game 1: Thu., June 3, 6pm – Texas at Hershey
Game 2: Sat., June 5, 6pm – Texas at Hershey
Game 3: Mon., June 7, 7:30pm – Hershey at Texas
Game 4: Wed., June 9, 7:30pm – Hershey at Texas
*Game 5: Fri., June 11, 7:30pm – Hershey at Texas
*Game 6: Mon., June 14, 6pm – Texas at Hershey
*Game 7: Wed., June 16, 6pm – Texas at Hershey
* if necessary
Individual tickets for playoff games can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 800/745-3000, visiting any Ticketmaster outlet or the Cedar Park Center box office, or by clicking here.
This article appears in May 21 • 2010.