Gameday Preview: Stars at Lake Erie Monsters

Texas Stars
29-18-3-3, 64 pts
#5 West Division
atLake Erie Monsters
27-22-3-5, 62 pts
#2 North Division
February 16th at 9:45 AM
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH

The team that the Texas Stars face this morning is really not much different in personnel than the one they faced two days ago. Lake Erie, however, is surely a different team in spirit. As previously mentioned in last game's preview, Lake Erie was in 7th place in the division when Texas faced off with them in early January. With the win over the Stars on Monday, the Monsters have slipped into 2nd place in the North Division, only two points behind top ranked Manitoba.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer points out that Lake Erie has gone 11-for-11 on the penalty kill in the last 3 games, including Texas's major power play on Monday. The Stars have to get their power play going against this team, especially when given seven opportunities.

Among teams ahead of Texas, only Peoria is in action tonight, playing Rockford. The Stars need to use this game to gain ground on their West Division foes. Houston has a matinee tomorrow and then everyone's back on the ice on Friday. Time to make those games in hand count.

Stars injury/call up report:
Morin, Larsen, McCulloch (lower body)
Gagnon, Sawada, Vincour, Ludwig (call up)

Website: lakeeriemonsters.com/
Blog (unofficial): Cleveland Plain Dealer
Twitter: @monstershockey

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