Gameday Preview: Texas Stars v. Stockton Heat

Texas Stars
4-0-0-0, 8 pts
#1 Pacific Division
v.Stockton Heat
1-1-0-0, 2 pts
#6 Pacific Division
October 21st at 7:30 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

For the first time, Texas will welcome a team based in California to the Cedar Park Center. Stockton, tonight's opponent, is one of the five California-based teams making up the remainder of the Pacific division this year in the AHL. The Heat, affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, are the first of the five to visit.

Last year's edition of the Heat were based on Adirondack, as the Flames. Before that, the team was in Abbotsford as the Heat. There are only a handful of players who've been through all three destinations though.

Coming into the game, Stockton has only played two contests so far. Top scorers have yet to filter out entirely. It's a sure bet that Emile Poirier will settle toward the top of the heap. The second-year right winger had 19-23=42 in 55 games last year in ADK. Rookie Jon Gillies minds the net for Stockton.

On Texas' side, two questions are in play tonight. The first will be obvious from the outset of warmups. Who will start in net? Maxime Lagace was sparkling this weekend for the Stars, a 2.01 GAA and .937 SV%. John Muse has the same number of wins, but he's needed run support at 3.48 GAA and .889 SV%. My bet is on Lagace.

Second, will Texas be able to keep up its torrid offensive pace? Can this team win a grinding game? The Heat have allowed four goals in one game and shutout Rockford in the other. Who will step up to provide offense for Texas tonight, and how much will they need it?

Stars injury/call up report:
McKenzie, Campbell, Faksa (call up)
Dowling, Mangene (questionable)
Braes (team suspension)

Website: stocktonheat.com
Twitter: @ahlheat

Comments

  1. What is the Braes "team suspension" all about? @RickGorskie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sean Shapiro said he went back to school to get his masters.

    ReplyDelete

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