Gameday Preview: Stars at Oklahoma City Barons, Game 2

Texas Stars
48-18-3-7, 106 pts
#1 Western Conference
atOklahoma City Barons
36-29-2-9, 91 pts
#8 Western Conference
Texas leads 1-0

April 26th at 8:00 PM
Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK

After falling behind 2-0 in the second period of the last game, the league's top overall seed managed a three goal comeback that culminated in Mike Hedden's game-winner in overtime on Wednesday. In most realistic interpretations of these 2-3 series, it is considered a pretty acceptable outcome for the higher seed to split on the road and come home to close it out. Texas has that one game. They can put the series in their full control heading back to Cedar Park with a win tonight.

Notes to consider for the game:
  • Scott Glennie was suspended a single game for his boarding incident in Wednesday's game. He will be unavailable tonight, leaving a gap in the lineup. Steve Pinizzotto was also suspended on the Barons' side. He picked up two games, leaving a hole in their lineup as well.
  • Glennie's absence puts more pressure on the possible return of Brett Ritchie. The rookie Ritchie has been out with a lower body injury and was questionable for Wednesday but did not play. ATO forward Derek Hulak did not make the trip with the team due to injury. Branden Troock or Alex Guptill will enter the lineup if Ritchie cannot play.
  • Speaking of injury, Barons faithful are still on Mark Arcobello Watch 2014. The lethal centerman has been out since March with a shoulder injury. Todd Nelson talked about the potential for his return with the Daily Oklahoman
    "[Arcobello is] pretty much is day to day. He has a chance to play in this series. I’m not saying it’s a good chance, but it’s a chance.”
    If he figures into the lineup tonight or at any time in the series, it changes the game.
  • Richard Bachman looked to be having 'one of those games' that Stars' fans are familiar with early in the hockey game on Wednesday. Texas eventually wore him down but it serves as a warning that the Utah native goalie can be a big difference maker.
  • And on the topic of goaltending, Texas coach Willie Desjardins was extremely cagey when speaking with the Austin American-Statesman this week. After going with Nilstorp in Game 1, he would not commit to Nilstorp or Campbell for Game 2. Desjardins alternated the starters the entire month of April, going 5-1-0-1 in the regular season. In some ways, why fix what isn't broken? Jack Campbell might start. We'll know in the morning.

Stars injury/call up report:
Mueller, Jeffrey, Nemeth (call up)
Ritchie (questionable)
Hulak, Klingberg (out, injury)
Glennie (suspended)

Website: okcbarons.com
Blog: Tend the Farm
Newspaper: NewsOK's Barons Hockey
Twitter: @OKCBaronsHockey

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