While the team looked impressive in a 5-2 win against the San Antonio Rampage, the Cedar Park Center crowd also had a good showing for a televised-audience on Fox Sports Southwest.
The crowd of 6,082 – the second largest of the season – was loud for most of the night, including late in the second period when Brendan Ranford’s goal was being reviewed.
After the replay was shown on the video board of Ranford scoring a clear goal, the crowd started chanting, “Goal! Goal!” over and over until the official confirmed the chants.
According to some viewers on Twitter, the noise came through loud and clear on television.
@seanshapiro @CedarParkCenter @100degreehockey It certainly IS noisy, and that’s showing on TV
— Neal (@tweetneal) December 29, 2013
It was also appreciated on the Stars bench.
“The crowd was awesome, it’s great when you have that many people there,” Stars coach Willie Desjardins said. “We have real good fans here.”
Stars continue to dominate Rampage at home
The win extended a streak of dominance for Texas at home against its I-35 rival. San Antonio hasn’t won a regulation game in Cedar Park since March of 2012 and Texas improved to 21-3-0-3 at home in the all-time series.
“I don’t know,” Desjardins said. “It’s just the way hockey works sometimes. You just have teams you seem to play well against and others you don’t.”
Petersen scratched again, Campbell resting
Toby Petersen was scratched for the second straight game as the Stars continue to battle injuries.
“He’s banged up a little bit and we’ve got to give him some time to get healthy,” Desjardins said.
Desjardins also had an update on Jack Campbell, who has now missed four games. Campbell was expected to make a start last weekend against Oklahoma City, but was sore and the team had to “back off” again.
“We just want to get him healthy,” Desjardins said. “Once he’s healthy he can play again.”
Patrik Nemeth was at the Cedar Park Center for the game Saturday. His left foot was in a cast and he was on crutches after having foot surgery.
Tonight’s lines
McKenzie-Morin-Sceviour
Hedden-Dowling-Stransky
Ranford-Mueller-Ritchie
Peters-Vause-Wathier
Fortunus-Jokipakka
Wrenn-Olekskiak
Button-Labrie
Nilstorp
Robinson
Brock Montgomery was the extra skater in warmups for the second straight night.
