Gameday Preview: Stars v. Houston Aeros

Texas Stars
34-22-3-4, 75 pts
#4 West Division
v.Houston Aeros
29-27-6-2, 66 pts
#5 West Division
March 6th at 7:00 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Well hello again, old friend. The Houston Aeros come to town for the mind-numbing tenth game against the Stars. Texas has a 7-1-0-1 record against the Aeros and beat them in two games of a home-and-home weekend series last week.

The Aeros are currently fighting for their playoff lives. Since the Stars last met the Aeros, they have played two games, both against the San Antonio Rampage. The Rampage took one in a shootout and lost the other in regulation. Houston is now in fifth place in the West but still behind fourth place Texas by a full nine points. At this point, the Aeros need to gain approximately 29 of a remaining 32 points to make it to the playoffs. I've seen crazier things, but I don't think it's happening.

We should see the return of Brent Krahn in net tonight now that he is healthy. Krahn has played against the Aeros twice this season, winning both games. Brent only allowed 3 goals in the two contests and stopped 54 of 57 shots for a .947 SV%. Like Landon Wilson's return last night, it will help to provide an emotional boost to the team.

Houston has to be excited about the signing of Tony Hrkac (like circus), who was a major addition to the team last year during the playoff push. Hrkac had 2-2-4 in 12 games to close out the season, then went 4-10-14 in 19 Calder Cup playoff games.

Anton Khudobin is back with the Aeros as well after a stint with the Wild in the NHL. Khudobin played the last two games in three days for the Aeros so we may see our good friend Wade Duuuuuuubielewicz or Barry Brust in net. (Sorry, keyboard must have gotten stuck there) The Aeros currently have three goalies on their roster. Brust would be the first one sent down if they did decide to do so. Dubielewicz has been pulled in his past two starts, racking up a 6.98 GAA and a .650 SV%, including a 3 shots against, 3 goals against performance last week against Texas. Perhaps Brust gets the start given Dubie's questionable recent performance.

Stars injury/call up report:
None.

Website: aeros.com
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros

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