| Texas Stars 43-22-5-6, 97 pts #1 Western Conference | v. | Oklahoma City Barons 40-25-2-9, 91 pts #5 Western Conference |
OKC leads 1-0
May 11th at 7:30 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX
This would be a good time for a rebound performance from the Stars.
"You have to be [desperate]," said Coach Desjardins, referring to the desperation the team drew on in the first series to win their home games. "You don't want to leave here down two and then go into their building where you have to play three."
Two defensive errors left Texas on the wrong end of the scoring on Thursday night in Cedar Park. The 'unforced' play by Fortunus that led to the first goal was just a strange fluke play where the puck came off the glass oddly. That was thanks to the stanchions on the left wing side only being 6 inches apart, the only place in the arena where that is the case. Wathier said postgame he'd not seen a play like that in the CPC before.
The other defensive issue was preventable. Matt Fraser, dogged for his defense all last season, has done much better this season. There is no question that he understands what he did in overtime cost the club the game. Expect a doubling down of his efforts in all aspect of the game tonight. Texas has to hope that the misplay motivates him to perform. If Fraser is clicking, that's all the better.
It was mentioned in Brandon's thoughts on the game at Defending Big D, but it bears mentioning on this site that Brett Sonne is not Travis Morin. Morin is an extremely effective puck moving center and that top line is not the same without him. If he can't go, Sonne looks to stay in but at what cost to the offensive punch of the line? Of course, who do you replace him with?
"Bottom line: it's going ot be a tough game on Saturday," said Desjardins. "It won't be an easier than it was today."
Scheduling conflicts make this a weird 24 hours at the CPC. The Killers concert last night and University of Phoenix graduation this morning means no morning skate for either team. It also moves the start of the game back 30 minutes to 7:30.
Coach Desjardins is not worried about the lack of premium morning skate ice time, "I think the games are where the premium is right now."
Stars injury/call up report:
Nemeth (injury)
Morin (questionable)
Website: okcbarons.com
Blog (unofficial): NewsOK's Barons Hockey
Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey
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