Gameday Preview: Stars v. Chicago Wolves

Texas Stars 29-17-3-4, 65 pts #3 West Division

v.

Chicago Wolves 31-17-0-4, 66 pts #1 West Division

February 13th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

As usual, a shortened gameday preview for the back-to-back. I don't think we need to say anything about how dangerous of a team Chicago is. They have now won 17 of their last 23 games and goalie Peter Mannino has won his past eight straight starts. The pairings of Vishnevskiy and Chelios was deadly last night as well. Both came out with an assist and a plus-3 rating. I think that combination is probably the largest difference in ages I've ever seen or possible there has ever been on a defensive pair at 26 years and 24 days. Let's just put it this way: Chris Chelios had already won a Stanley Cup (1986) before Vishnevskiy was even born (1988).

Matt Climie was not on the bench last night for the Stars but will probably see the start if he is feeling better. Climie was feeling a bit under the weather and was taking it easy in the locker room for last night's game. Being sick on your birthday is really crappy. Best of luck to him on feeling better. Wolves backup Drew MacIntyre was also not on the bench last night, but there's no word on why that was.

The Stars have to have some fight in them tonight. Last night it didn't seem likely that Houston could jump into the playoff conversation but I would not count them out. They are only 5 points out with a lot more games to play. If any one of the top 4 teams in the West goes on a prolonged slide, the Aeros could be right back in it. Let's hope Texas can win one tonight to send them off on their 5 game roadtrip on a positive note.

Stars injury/call up report:
Wilson (stomach strain), Krahn (lower body)
Wathier (call up)

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