84R2939 WG-D
By: Dale H.R. No. 123
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas Stars reached the pinnacle of success by
winning the 2014 Calder Cup Championship, securing the title with a
4-3 overtime victory in Game 5 of the American Hockey League Finals
on June 17; and
WHEREAS, The cup victory closed out an unforgettable year in
which the Stars won the AHL West Division and compiled a league-best
record of 48 wins, 18 losses, and 3 ties; entering the postseason as
the No. 1 seed, Texas quickly dispatched the Oklahoma City Barons
in a three-game sweep before defeating the Grand Rapids Griffins in
the Western Conference semifinals; the squad then took on the
Toronto Marlies in the conference finals, where they emerged
victorious after a hard-fought, seven-game series to earn a spot in
the Calder Cup Finals; and
WHEREAS, Facing off against the St. John's IceCaps, the Stars
won three of the first four games in the series, with exciting
overtime victories coming in Games 3 and 4; in the deciding contest,
Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period after
goals by Mike Hedden and Brett Ritchie; the IceCaps rallied to take
the lead in the third frame, but the Stars responded with a tying
goal to send the game into overtime; there, Texas goalkeeper
Cristopher Nilstorp kept the Stars alive with several key saves
before defenseman Patrik Nemeth clinched the championship with a
backhand shot into the goal with 5:30 remaining in overtime; and
WHEREAS, Under the skilled guidance of head coach Willie
Desjardins and with additional support from general manager Scott
White, the Stars benefited from clutch performances from each
member of the roster during the team's exemplary 2013-2014
campaign; in recognition of his exceptional efforts, Texas center
Travis Morin won the AHL most valuable player award as well as the
Calder Cup Playoffs MVP honor; moreover, left winger Curtis
McKenzie was honored for his impressive debut season with the Stars
by being named the winner of the league's outstanding rookie award;
and
WHEREAS, By capturing the first AHL championship in the
history of the franchise, the Texas Stars have won the hearts of
their many loyal fans in the Central Texas area and beyond, and the
team's players and staff may take great pride in their remarkable
accomplishments on the ice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas Stars on winning the 2014
AHL Calder Cup Championship and extend sincere best wishes to all
those who shared in the thrill of the team's title-winning season;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.