Gameday Preview: Stars v. Lake Erie Monsters

Texas Stars
25-18-13-1, 64 pts
#8 Western Conference
v.Lake Erie Monsters
26-23-5-3, 60 pts
#12 Western Conference
March 11th at 7:30 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

The last time these two played, it was very early in the season. Texas was 4-2-1 on the season, and this was a quote from my gameday preview for the game:
Texas is still doing "OK" percentage wise on the season for points. If they keep up the current pace, they'll make it to 97 points and make the playoffs. However, it certainly doesn't feel like a team that is going to finish with 97 points.
As of the current moment, the Stars are on pace for 85 points and could be in danger of not having a chance to defend the Cup in the playoffs.

And so, the Stars welcome the Monsters. The Colorado affiliate has trickled down the standings since peaking at 12-8-2-2 in December. They're currently in 12th but are coming off a pair of strong games against the always-stout Chicago Wolves. Lake Erie won both, one in OT and another in a tight 1-0 regulation game.

The Monsters are missing some of their top guys at the moment. Joey Hishon and the recently-acquired Freddie Hamilton are both in Colorado. The undrafted Andrew Agozzino continues to score with abandon at the AHL level with 17-18=35 on this bad Monsters team.

On the Texas side, Scott Valentine or William Wrenn will join the lineup for the recalled Jamie Oleksiak. Fans shouldn't expect ATO signee Devin Shore in this game. In addition to transportation and systems, Shore is a Canadian working in the US for the first time, which means he needs a work visa. That's not always a fast process, so this weekend might be the best shot.

Stars injury/call up report:
Oleksiak, McKenzie, Ritchie (call up)
Glennie, Faksa (injury)

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

Comments

  1. The Avs called up Calvin Pickard (the goalie the Dallas Stars should have drafted instead of Campbell in 2010) so that should help a little. Hopefully he will be back for next weeks game. I would like to see him play one more time. He should stick in the NHL next season.

    ReplyDelete

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