Gameday Preview: Stars at Hamilton Bulldogs, Game 2

Texas Stars
46-27-3-4, 99 pts
#2 West Division
atHamilton Bulldogs
52-17-3-8, 115 pts
#1 North Division
Bulldogs lead 1-0

May 16th at 1:00 PM
Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON

In all honesty, we could just as easily be looking at a Texas 1-0 lead right now if it weren't for a few really 'dumb' penalties taken in the Stars first game in Hamilton. Texas took six penalties against a team that is now clicking in at 24.4% on the power play. It simply can't be done if Texas expects to win hockey games. Even if the Stars lock down the penalty kill, however, there is still the matter of shots on goal. Every minute you spend on the penalty kill is time that you can't spend raining shots on the opposing net. Texas was doubled up in shots in the girst game, 20-38. Suffice it to say that special teams are going to be a very important factor in this series because both teams are so solid at even strength.

Again in net for the Stars, we will see Matt Climie. Climie had a pretty solid outing but didn't get any help from the conga line to the sin bin on Friday night. Allowing two goals through regulation is a pretty good night any time of year and should be enough to get the win if the offense does its part. The bottom line being that you can't pin the 1-0 series deficit on the goalie. He clearly was upset about the game, breaking his stick in half on the ice after the loss on Friday, and will definitely come out motivated for Sunday's game 2.

Though only one game has been played, both teams have had limited 'team' success in scoring. David Desharnais and Brock Trotter, who will both garner more attention on Sunday, were the only two Hamilton goal scorers. Jamie Benn was the only one to find twine for the Stars. Texas will need team scoring through at least three of their lines in order to provide a balanced offensive attack that can supplement their defensive game. They didn't have that on Friday, with both goals being scored with the extra man on the ice.

Stars injury/call up report:
Krahn (concussion)

Website: hamiltonbulldogs.com
Twitter: @dogsplaybyplay

Comments