Gameday Preview: Stars v. Milwaukee Admirals, Game 5

Texas Stars 41-29-4-6, 92 pts #4 West Division

v.

Milwaukee Admirals 44-22-6-8, 102 pts #1 West Division

Series tied 2-2

April 22nd at 7:30 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

With the series even at two, Texas and Milwaukee are now in a best-of-3 series with Milwaukee holding home ice advantage. The Stars have their last home game tonight and are looking for all the crowd support they can get to head out to Wisconsin with a W. "It's a three game series," said Coach Gulutzan. "And the teams that stay to their identity best are going to be the team's coming [out of the first round]."

The series is working out just as everyone thought it would. Cedric Golden thinks the series is going to seven games, and I'm inclined to agree. The teams are so evenly matched that it's coming down to the oft-cited differentiators of the special teams to decide games.

The Stars and Admirals, it could be argued, are both clicking on the power play. Each has a 25% power play percentage, and Texas has even scored five goals compared to Milwaukee's four. Despite that it feels like Texas is losing the special teams battle, it is yet another measure of evenness.

Shutting down the Milwaukee offense period may best come through shutting down the Bourque-Mueller-Thang line, which has run roughshod over the Texas defense. Gabriel Bourque and Chris Mueller have combined for six points on the power play among fifteen total points in the series.

Adding a new wrinkle to the Milwaukee lineup is the likely return of Kelsey Wilson. Wilson, who has played with the Ads in 294 regular season games, return to the lineup from injury after 78 games this season with 10g-12a-22p.

Overall, the Stars see Game 5 as more of the same. "Going into Friday, I don't think we need to make any major changes," said forward Greg Rallo. "Just stay the course."

Stars injury/call up report:
Benn (day-to-day unspecified)
Ludwig (upper body)

Admirals Web Resources:
Website: milwaukeeadmirals.com
Blog (Official): In The Crease
Blog (Unofficial): Admirals Roundtable (@adsroundtable)
Twitter: @mkeadmirals