Texas Stars and Grand Rapids Griffins to Face Off in Round Two

(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

In March, the last time these two played, we all sort of figured this could be a playoff matchup. Those games looked like playoff games anyways. With the Chicago Wolves defeat of the Rochester Americans, all of the top seeded teams in the West have advanced to the second round. That means Texas will meet the four-seed, Grand Rapids, starting Thursday at the Cedar Park Center.

Elsewhere, Chicago will meet Toronto starting Friday in the Windy City.

Here is the full schedule for Texas (all times Central Daylight):

Game 1 – Thu., May 8 – Grand Rapids at Texas, 7:30
Game 2 – Sat., May 10 – Grand Rapids at Texas, 7:00
Game 3 – Tue., May 13 – Texas at Grand Rapids, 6:00
Game 4 – Wed., May 14 – Texas at Grand Rapids, 6:00
*Game 5 – Fri., May 16 – Texas at Grand Rapids, 6:00
*Game 6 – Sun., May 18 – Grand Rapids at Texas, 7:00
*Game 7 – Mon., May 19 – Grand Rapids at Texas, 7:30

* - if necessary

Note that the series has two back-to-backs and a gap of just one day for travel between games five and six.

No one said winning a Cup was easy. The road to glory for Texas now leads through the reigning champions and their AHL Coach of the Year, Jeff Blashill. Strap in; it's about to get bumpy.