CEDAR PARK, Texas — Landon Bow has started to find a groove for the Texas Stars.
After sitting behind Mike McKenna early in the season, Bow has played in four straight games and five of the last six for Texas. During that stretch Bow has a .925 save percentage and has stopped 100 of 108 shots and picked up a trio of wins.
“I’m going out there, I’m feeling good on the ice,” Bow said. “It comes for me when I’m not moving my feet too much. When I’ve got my feet set, gloves up, it’s going to give me the best opportunity. It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-timer, shot with a tip, as long as my feet are quiet as possible it really helps if my feet are set.”
Bow as at his best in the third period of a 4-3 win on Wednesday. He made 11 saves in the period, including a pad save on Tage Thompson in the third period.
“He’s definitely pushed Mike (McKenna) a little bit,” Texas Stars coach Derek Laxdal said. “It’s good to have that inner competition within our group. His first start against San Antonio he had a little bit of a tough second period, and I thought tonight he really took composure into the game.”
Julius Honka is having a tough go of it in the AHL, and is still looking for his first point after seven games with the Texas Stars.
When Honka has the puck on his stick he’s the most talented player on the ice, but he’s trying to do too much and it ends up leading to turnovers after he’s beat multiple defenders one-on-one.
Defensively there weren’t any major flaws in Honka’s game, but he was on the ice for three goals against. I asked a couple scouts about Honka and there was a bit of a consensus: there are times he looks like he doesn’t want to be here, and he seemingly tries to make up for that by doing it all by himself in the offensive zone.
One scout said Honka hasn’t earned a call-up, but did follow that up by saying, “he’s a safer player and makes less mistakes than (Jamie) Oleksiak.”
As weird as it sounds, Honka can be both disappointing in the AHL and be a better line-up option than current players on the NHL roster.
Curtis McKenzie was named the Texas Stars captain on Wednesday and had a pair of goals on the power play.
McKenzie is never going to get the opportunity in the NHL, but he’s an excellent net-front power play presence in the AHL dating back to his rookie year in the AHL. He scored both goals on Wednesday on easy tip-ins and almost set up another on a swivel pass in front of the goalie.
Jason Dickinson played back-to-back games after playing in the NHL last night. Dickinson arrived in Austin around 3:30 p.m. before the game and had an assist on Roope Hintz’ goal late in the second period.
“I thought (Dickinson) was fine,” Laxdal said. “We were a little concerned with the travel playing last night. He had good energy, good bit to his game. And I started him on the wing and then moved him to the middle since I thought Roope (Hintz) was a little bit hesitant tonight.”
AHL-contracted Sheldon Dries impressed me back in Traverse City and he had a strong game on Wednesday.
Dries had a goal called back for a high-stick, which probably would have counted if that play was reviewable in the AHL (they only have an overhead camera angle for reviews). Dries was noticeable each shift, killed penalties, and takes key defensive zone face-offs.
Reece Scarlett made his debut with the Texas Stars after arriving in a trade for Ludwig Bystrom.
Scarlett is strong two-way defender at the AHL level. He skates well and is often in the right position. He’s not particularly great in any category, but he’s good across the board and is a reliable depth AHL defender.
“I thought he was fine, very calm very quiet,” Laxdal said. “Overall I thought he was real quiet, I thought he battled hard and competed.”
Laxdal said Scarlett should start rotating into the lineup more often with Gavin Bayreuther and Niklas Hansson. Bayreuther didn’t play on Wednesday due to illness.
Denis Gurianov was invisible again in the victory. Gurianov may have six assists this season, but it’s been a rather quiet point production and he’s a team-worst minus-9.
The same scouts that discussed Honka also gave some insight into Gurianov:
“I forgot he was playing until I remembered I had to write a report on him,” one scout said.
“There were a couple times he could make a play if he was ready,” another scout said. “I’ve seen him before and I really like his talent. But he forgot the game started tonight.”
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