Gameday Preview: Stars at Grand Rapids Griffins

Texas Stars 16-9-1-1, 34 pts #4 West Division

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Grand Rapids Griffins 11-12-1-4, 27 pts #6 North Division

December 12th at 3:00 PM

Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI

The Stars just faced the Griffins on Friday night, a 4-3 victory. Luckily for Texas, Grand Rapids also had a game on Saturday which means they will both be fighting exhaustion through the game. Grand Rapids travelled to Peoria where they fell to the Rivermen 3-2.

With last night's victory in Milwaukee, Texas has finally started making up ground on the West Division. With 5 games in over the past 6 days, the 'games played' number for Texas has finally crept back up to even with the rest of the division, meaning that the Stars superior points percentage actual shows through. For the first time in a while, the division is actually sorted by points percentage as well as points. It's a good thing for the Stars.

Last time Texas came to Grand Rapids, rookie Tyler Beskorowany deflected 44 of 47 Griffin shots. Last night in Milwaukee he was also a marked man, facing double digit shots in each period en route to a 34 save performance. Now up to the bat is another rookie surely staring down his first AHL start, Adrien LeMay. After facing 83 shots over the past two nights, it would be ludicrous not to give Besko a break.

While LeMay has sparkling numbers in terms of wins in the CHL, his GAA and SV% (2.99, .905) are in line with a team that scores more. Texas will need another offensive show without a second or third period recapitulation.

By rule, Mark Fistric should have played his last game in Texas last night. The CBA states that a player can only be on a conditioning stint for 3 games or 6 days, whichever is shorter. In 3 games, he finished without a point, minus-1, with 5 shots and 2 penalty minutes.

Stars injury/call up report:
Krahn (day-to-day lower body)
McCulloch (upper body)
Bachman, Gagnon, Fortunus (call up)

Website: griffinshockey.com
Twitter: @GriffinsHockey
Blog: Griffins Hockey on MLive.com