Gameday Preview: Stars at Hamilton Bulldogs

Texas Stars
34-22-4-6, 78 pts
#4 West Division
atHamilton Bulldogs
34-23-1-6, 75 pts
#3 North Division
March 12th at 3:00 PM
COpps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON

Texas has a quick turnaround for a day game in Ontario. After last night's grinding game, the Stars will try to gain the full two points in regulation to avoid extra time in a 3-in-3, where energy will be at a premium.

For Hamilton, their leading scorer is a recent addition. Nigel Dawes, who recently came over from the Atlanta Thrashers (Chicago Wolves) in a deadline day trade, has ten points in just eight games with the Dogs. Also coming over from Chicago was goaltender Drew MacIntyre. MacIntyre is 2-2-1 with a 2.31 GAA and .921 SV%. He's paired with Curtis Sanford, who is 22-13-2 with a 1.93 GAA and .930 SV%.

The Bulldogs are locked in a tight battle with Manitoba, Toronto and Lake Erie for one of the top three spots in the North. Given the current point projections, it looks like the crossover rule will come into effect and only three teams in the North will make it to the postseason. They have games in hand over Toronto and Manitoba, the two teams ahead of them.

For Texas, it is going to be the mission of the day to stay at their .600 win percentage. The Stars can crawl above that number with two points today. It doesn't really matter how they get them either. Because Hamilton is not in the division, an extra time win is fine but could affect the Stars' energy tomorrow.

Stars injury/call up report:
Wathier (lower body)
Vincour (call up)

Wathier was supposed to be ready for yesterday's game. I would expect him to join the lineup sometime this weekend.

Website: hamiltonbulldogs.com
Twitter: @dogsplaybyplay

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