The Texas Stars are the 2014 Calder Cup champions of the American Hockey League, thanks to their 4-3 overtime victory over the St. John’s IceCaps on Tuesday.
Defenseman Patrik Nemeth, a second-round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2010, scored the winner, and it came on his very first goal of the entire playoffs. For the third consecutive game in this series, the deciding goal came in the extra period.
(Photo courtesy Colin Peddle.)
Now comes the fun, as it pertains to Texas head coach Willie Desjardins, who has been reported as a candidate for vacant NHL head coaching jobs, including ones in Vancouver and Pittsburgh.
“The teams have been very conscientious about the playoffs, so they haven’t asked for permission yet, but I’ll definitely grant it,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill told the Dallas Morning News five days ago.
His celebration of this championship could be short-lived. But here’s a brief look at Twitter’s reaction.
What. A. Game. Nemeth scores in OT to win Game 5 for @TexasStars, giving them their first #CalderCup championship! pic.twitter.com/arajVKashm
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) June 18, 2014
1720 days after the #txstars first regular season game... they are Calder Cup Champions. What a run.
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) June 18, 2014
The Calder Cup's new home is the Lone Star State! #txstars beat the @IceCapsAHL 4-3 in OT & clinch the AHL title! pic.twitter.com/qu7TTEQmG6
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) June 18, 2014
