Gameday Preview: Stars at Oklahoma City Barons

Texas Stars 15-13-9-0, 39 pts #10 Western Conference

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Oklahoma City Barons 26-8-2-2, 56 pts #1 Western Conference

January 16th at 7:00 PM

Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Despite what the standings might say about these two teams, this is a competitive matchup. In the eight games up to this point, each has won four games. The Stars actually have more points in the season series, thanks to three of their four losses coming in overtime. OKC has 9 points to Texas' 11.

After a homestand that was disappointing to say the least, Texas needs these two points to get their standings game back. Three games against teams all below Texas in the standings yielded just a single point thanks to the overtime loss to the Marlies. Toronto, once left for dead, jumped ahead of Texas in the standings last night with a win over Charlotte. They're on a 7-0-3-0 run in their last ten games, and they'll play again tonight, giving them a chance to put a three point cushion between themselves and the Stars. Just below Texas, Hamilton is also in action tonight. If Hamilton can beat Grand Rapids and the Stars fall to the Barons, tomorrow's game will feature the #1 Barons against the #11 Stars.

For the Barons, it is expected Richard Bachman will go tonight and Brossoit tomorrow night. OKC is coming in on a three game win streak after sweeping their weekend 3-in-3 on the road last week. That would have completed an eleven game win streak for them if the Stars hadn't put up five goals on the Barons last time the two met on January 6th. Texas broke up a seven game winning streak that night and looks to do the same tonight.

Stars injury/call up report:
Ritchie (call up)
Troock, Faksa (injury)

Website: okcbarons.com
Blog: Tend the Farm
Twitter: @OKCBarons