AHL Report: Texas Stars string together three straight wins

The Texas Stars had an excellent week, winning all three of their games to improve to 4-1-2 on the season. Forward Denis Gurianov scored a goal in all three games, pushing his goal-scoring streak to five games. Forward Joel L'Esperance also scored in all three games and goaltender Colton Point won his first game as a pro.
Here's the latest on the AHL affiliate of the Texas Stars.

Wednesday, October 17: Texas 6, Grand Rapids 3

Texas rallied from a 3-2 deficit by scoring four unanswered goals in the third period to win, 6-3, at Grand Rapids Wednesday and snapped a three-game skid. Adam Mascherin tied the game 3-3 early in the third period, and then Denis Gurianov put Texas ahead for good, knocking the puck out of midair and into the net with Texas on the power play to make it a 4-3 game. Michael Mersch scored on the power play to push the lead to 5-3, and Nick Caamano sealed the win with an empty-net goal, his first professional tally. Joel L'Esperance and Tony Calderone scored in the first period for Texas. Landon Bow stopped 25 of 28 shots in goal.

Friday, October 19: Texas 5, Iowa 4

Texas made it two wins in a row and again used a four-goal third period, defeating the Iowa Wild, 5-4, at H-E-B Center Friday night. The two teams were tied 1-1 after two periods with Ben Gleason providing the goal for Texas, his first tally as a pro. The offense opened up in the third with the two teams combining for seven goals. Michael Mersch, Nick Caamano, Joel L'Esperance and Denis Gurianov tallied for Texas. Gurianov's goal at the 14:38 mark, a wrist shot from the left circle, put Texas up 5-3 and proved to be the game-winner.

Saturday, October 20: Texas 3, Iowa 1

Colton Point stopped 19 shots for his first win as a pro, and Denis Gurianov ran his goal-scoring streak to five games as Texas defeated Iowa, 3-1, in Cedar Park Saturday to run their winning streak to three games. Joel L'Esperance also scored, running his goal-scoring streak to three games, and Erik Condra's tally at 9:22 of the third gave Texas a 2-1 lead and was the game-winner.

Prospect spotlight

• The first player called up to the NHL from Texas this season was veteran forward Justin Dowling, who was officially recalled by Dallas on Monday morning. He actually found out he was heading from Cedar Park to Dallas after Saturday night's game against Iowa.
"It was right after the game -- [Dallas assistant GM Scott White] grabbed me after the game and told me," Dowling said. "It was nice. All the boys had a cheer in the dressing room. It was a good moment."
It's not the first call-up for Dowling. He was recalled four times during the 2016-17 season and played a total of nine games with Dallas.
• Center Joel L'Esperance (free agent/2018) recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in the three games last week. L'Esperance has eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games and is tied for the goal-scoring lead among AHL rookies and is tied for second in points.
• Texas has received 12 goals from rookies so far this season, tied with the Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings affiliate) for the most in the AHL.
• Forward Denis Gurianovnetted three goals last week to give him five in seven games this season. Gurianov didn't hit the five-goal mark until his 36th game last season. Gurianov has 19 shots on goal through seven games. It took him 17 games to reach 19 shots on goal last season.
• Gurianov and L'Esperance are tied for fifth among all AHL players in goal scoring.
• Roope Hintz recorded one assist and three shots on goal in his first game with Texas after being assigned to the AHL by Dallas over the weekend. Hintz centered Nick Caamano and Erik Condra in Saturday's 3-1 win over Iowa in Cedar Park.
• Colton Point stopped 19 of 20 shots Saturday in winning his first game as a pro. Point caught a few breaks in the 3-1 win over Iowa as the Wild rattled a few shots off posts in the game.
"I think in the last three minutes they hit three or four posts," Point told media after the game. "When things are going well they are going well. I'll take what I can get and try to keep the ball rolling."
• Defenseman Gavin Bayreuther did not play last week. He is day-to-day with an undisclosed issue, but he could return this weekend.

Texas lineup

Here is the Texas lineup from the last game.
Denis Gurianov - Justin Dowling - Michael Mersch
Nick Caamano - Roope Hintz - Erik Condra
Travis Morin - Joel L'Esperance - Adam Mascherin
Colton Hargrove - James Phelan - Colin Markison
Dillon Heatherington - Niklas Hansson
John Nyberg - Joel Hanley
Ben Gleason - Shane Hanna
Colton Point
Landon Bow

Upcoming schedule

Friday, Oct. 26:vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 27: vs. San Jose, 7:00 p.m.

Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads, the ECHL affiliate of the Stars, went 1-1-0 over the weekend and are 2-2-1 on the season. Dallas goaltending prospect Philippe Desrosiersgot one start, stopping 26 of 28 shots in a 2-1 loss to Utah. Dallas defense prospect Ondrej Vala picked up one assist and a plus-4 rating in the two games.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski has covered the Stars for DallasStars.com since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.