CEDAR PARK, Texas -- Marlies goaltender Drew MacIntyre put on an impressive display on Friday, but he gave his Toronto teammates credit for making his job simple. Mason Rudolph Steelers Jersey . MacIntyre stopped 49 shots and the Marlies defeated the Texas Stars 5-1 in Game 1 of the American Hockey Leagues Western Conference final. "I felt in control, so that was nice," MacIntyre said. "Then our guys were awesome. Blocking shots, I say it every game. These guys are fun to watch, its awesome and they made my night a lot easier." After stopping 12 shots in the first period, the 30-year-old goalie stopped 17 in the second and was continuously under siege in the third period -- where he faced 21 shots. "I knew that the (shots) number was going to get up there," MacIntyre said. "We all knew they were going to come in third period. Theyre a good team and they showed it." MacIntyres performance impressed Toronto head coach Steve Spott. "(MacIntyre) is a guy who is now starting to do what I think he needs to do to be an NHL prospect," Toronto coach Steve Spott said. "And I dont care what his age is. Hes a guy that is playing the best hockey of his career in a very, very good league. I think he should open up some eyes from not only our club, but 29 other clubs." Although the Stars applied consistent pressure, Toronto broke the game open in the second period when T.J. Brennan and Peter Holland scored 13 seconds apart. Brennan scored on the power play 7:15 into the second period when he fired a wrist shot past Texas goalie Cristopher Nilstorp. On the very next shift Holland forced a Stars turnover and beat Nilstorp to give Toronto a 3-0 lead. Brandon Kozun, Sam Carrick and Jerred Smithson also scored for Toronto, while Chris Mueller replied for the Stars. Game 2 is Monday at the Cedar Park Center, where Toronto can extend its playoff unbeaten streak to 9-0. Texas had been a perfect 4-0 at home in the playoffs before the loss. "I think their whole team played well," Stars coach Willie Desjardins said. "I think we had to be better early, once you get behind youre going to generate a lot and we had to come after them a they outplayed us and give them credit." MacIntyre was tested early and often by Texas -- the AHLs regular-season champions -- but helped Toronto stay undefeated in the post-season with a couple dazzling stops. Late in the first period he was caught behind the net while battling for a rebound. The puck kicked out to Stars forward Brett Ritchie in front of the net, but MacIntyre scrambled back to make the save. Toronto played with the lead for most of the night after Kozun scored 3:11 into the game. Kozun collected a pass from Trevor Smith in the neutral zone, skated between a pair of Stars defencemen and fired a wrist shot over Nilstorps shoulder. Texas finally broke MacIntyres shutout bid with 4:27 remaining when Mueller scored on the power play. Two minutes later Carrick scored into the empty net, followed by a short-handed empty-net goal by Smithson to give Toronto a 5-1 lead. Nilstorp stopped 14 of 17 shots for Texas in the loss. The Swedish goalie also spent almost half of the third period on the bench after Desjardins pulled his goalie with 8:50 remaining while down 3-0. Custom Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys . With timely hitting and good pitching, the Marlins are one win away from sweeping the slumping Houston Astros. Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys . In this space, I will be writing new and unique pieces about the team that you wont be able to find anywhere else. So naturally, in an attempt to come up with a fresh topic about the Ottawa Senators, I am going to start with a piece about their goaltending. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Joe-Haden-Jersey/ .ca. The NHL Play of the Year showdown kicks off with some slick moves going head-to-head with a combination of soft hands and endless patience.EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Mitch Kupchak is confident Kobe Bryant will make an impressive return to the Los Angeles Lakers after losing last season to injuries.The general manager also realizes the Lakers chances of returning to the playoffs probably depend on it.I think hell be very effective, Kupchak said Friday. Im not going to predict what his statistics will be, but ... if we needed 30 or 35 (points) from him, I think he could get it.Kupchak radiated preseason optimism while discussing the Lakers prospects for a rebound from last springs disappointments. Los Angeles finished 27-55 and missed the playoffs for just the third time in 38 years, but the GM believes he has a playoff-contending roster in place around Bryant this fall.Still, much depends on the health of Bryant, who will make $48.5 million over the next two seasons. Just six games after he finally returned from surgery on a torn Achilles tendon last winter, Bryant broke a bone near his knee and was lost for the year.Kupchak has been watching Bryants recovery for several months, observing his workouts at the Lakers training complex and near his home in Orange County. Bryant has lost at least 10 pounds during the process, getting back down to his playing weight prior to the injuries.I think hes going to have an excellent year, Kupchak said. Hes going to play differently than he played 10 years ago. Maybe not so different than what he played two or three years ago, because if youve tracked his progress over the years ... hes gradually turned into a seasoned veteran, knowing when to turn it on.He goes to certain spots on the court. He doesnt take wild shots. He doesnt gamble as much on defence. I think youll see a player similar to what you saw two years ago. Hell do as much as he has to do to put us into the best chance to win.Health is the Lakers primary concern, and theyve got it so far. Steve Nash, who played in just 15 games last seasson, said he is in his best condition in the last two years, while new forward Carlos Boozer also appears to be revitalized after wearing down last season in Chicago. Morgan Burnett Jersey. Yet the Lakers are very aware that Bryant turned 36 last month, and Nash is 40 as both guards head into their 19th NBA seasons. Kupchak would support Byron Scott if the new coach elects to limit the guards minutes or participation in back-to-back games, but theyll have time to discuss it after Los Angeles opens training camp Monday.If there is some kind of a mandate to restrict minutes or games, hopefully the players understand it and they work with Byron on it, Kupchak said, mindful of Bryants competitive nature.(Bryant) looks really good, says he feels great, Kupchak added. No ill effects on either injury. Steve Nash says he feels the best hes felt in a long time. Hes been working out, playing every day. ... I think were a little bit more apprehensive with Steve, naturally, because of what he went through last year and his age.The Lakers tried to get help for Bryant in the off-season, but free agents LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony declined to join Kobe and the 16-time champions. Even Pau Gasol signed with the Bulls, spurning the Lakers and their fans who loved to hate him.Kupchak held up his summer personnel moves while courting the leagues top names, but came up empty.If you dont try, you dont know, Kupchak said. We went all-out to try to pursue (James and Anthony). I think we came close, I really do, but it doesnt really matter.So while the Lakers hope Nash stays healthy, Boozer and Jeremy Lin revitalize their careers, Nick Young keeps scoring and draft pick Julius Randle develops into an elite power forward, theyll continue to count on Bryant.Its comforting to know hell be here two more years, and hes healthy, Kupchak said. With him on the court, were always going to have the chance to win games. Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap Yankees Jerseys Cheap Rays Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Athletics Jerseys Cheap Mariners Jerseys Cheap Rangers Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys Cheap Phillies Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Pirates Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Padres Jerseys ' ' '