| Texas Stars 28-14-2-3, 61 pts #2 Western Conference | v. | Oklahoma City Barons 18-22-1-5, 40 pts #13 Western Conference |
February 4th at 7:30 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX
Remember when I said that the last game against OKC was a trap? That turned out to be unfortunately true.
The game on Sunday was a nasty end to the weekend and overall not a great way to continue on a homestand that should have vaulted Texas into first place in the West. The Stars probably could have taken both games against the Griffins and the Toronto game was a tossup. But games against West Division rivals San Antonio and OKC should have been 'no-brainer' wins. Unfortunately, that may have been the downfall of the Stars in those two contests. Not thinking that they had anything to worry about, they let the Barons and Rampage dominate each game, winning by multiple goals in both games. Teams that do things like that with regularity do not make it far in the playoffs. Coach Desjardins knows that; the players know that. Time to put up or shut up and win tonight to get the train back on the tracks.
The Stars do have a chance, with a win tonight, to jump an idle Grand Rapids and hold first place for at least a day. The Griffins do not play against until tomorrow, so the Stars' one point lead would be tenuous. However, heading out on their longest road trip of the year and finishing their longest home stretch of the year with the number one next to their names in the standings would be a big victory given all the injuries and roster turmoil this club has endured.
Nilstorp and Bachman are your likely starters tonight.
Stars injury/call up report:
Petersen, Nemeth, Campbell, Vause (injury)
Website: okcbarons.com
Blog: Tend the Farm
Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey
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