Gameday Preview: Stars at Milwaukee Admirals

Texas Stars 40-23-3-4, 87 pts #2 Western Conf.

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Milwaukee Admirals 37-26-1-6, 81 pts #4 Western Conf.

March 23rd at 7:00 PM

Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI

It's late March, and every point counts in the Calder Cup Playoff race. Texas is hitting their stride at just the right time. With the return of Brent Krahn between the pipes, Texas is now 8-2 in their last ten games and is currently on a four game winning streak. With the most recent win, Texas vaulted Rockford for 2nd place in the division and has a chance to do more damage with the IceHogs idle again tonight. Texas still has three games in hand over Rockford and already leads them by a point.

At the other end of the rink tonight, the Milwaukee Admirals may have punched their ticket to playoffs this past weekend in Texas. Coming into last weekend, Milwaukee had only won three of their last ten games and was feeling the heat from San Antonio catching up to their point total and fast. After losing three straight coming into last weekend, including Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Stars, the Admirals posted back-to-back wins in Houston. With the wins, they have now built a six point cushion between themselves and the Rampage. Milwaukee also has two games in hand over San Antonio making it a steep climb for the Rampage if they want to be in the playoffs.

Since these teams last played on Thursday in Cedar Park, both teams have won two very important games for their clubs. Texas jumped into 2nd with wins in Rockford and Peoria, and Milwaukee beat up on Houston to widen the gap between them and San Antonio.

Mark Dekanich started both games against Houston this past weekend for Milwaukee and has yet to face Texas. Chet Pickard has amassed a 2-3-1 record against Texas in the six games played with a 2.54 GAA and .898 SV% in the series.

Otherwise, not much has changed between the 6th and 7th meetings of these two teams. Aaron Gagnon is on fire for Texas, and the Admirals should watch out for his scoring touch tonight.

Stars injury/call up report:
Wilson (rib injury), McCulloch (flu)
Benn (call-up)

Admirals Web Resources:
Website: milwaukeeadmirals.com
Blog (Official): In The Crease
Blog (Unofficial): Short Shifts (@Short_Shifts)
Twitter: @mkeadmirals