Gameday Preview: Texas Stars at San Diego Gulls

Texas Stars 2-0-0-0, 4 pts, 1.000 #2 Pacific Division

at

San Diego Gulls 1-0-0-0, 2 pts, 1.000 #3 Pacific Division

October 13th at 9:00 PM

Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, CA

Texas rolls into southern California looking to continue their winning ways but also to win the right way this weekend. Last weekend's games were fun for the fans, but as Coach Laxdal noted, not much fun for a defensively minded coaching staff. Allowing ten goals in the first two games but still getting the win speaks to the power of the team offense.

There isn't much tale of the tape for either team as San Diego has played just one game so far. It was a 7-6 win, so perhaps there are some defensive items to focus on for the Gulls as well. LW Kevin Roy had a three-point night with two goals. He scored his first pro goal against Texas last year around this time. Mitch Hults had a goal and one assist. Forward Spencer Abbott didn't have any points, but you have to imagine he's good for a few against the Stars. His time with the Marlies against the Stars was always deadly for the Texas goals against.

(Credit: Texas Stars)

Kevin Boyle mans the net for the Gulls, at least he did in their first and only game. Leland Irving is your other masked man in San Diego. The long-time AHL journeyman was traded within the AHL this week, heading from Lehigh Valley to the Gulls.

Speaking of goaltenders, one thing to watch for Texas is when the team deploys Landon Bow. Mike McKenna is a great goalie at the AHL level, but he can't play all 76 games. The early schedule is conducive to having him play a heavy load since there are so many breaks. However, the team needs to figure out what they have with Bow sooner rather than later.

Stars injury/call up report:
Bodnarchuk (upper body)
Elie (call up)

Gulls Web Resources:
Website: sandiegogulls.com
Twitter: @SDGullsAHL
Twitter: @619sports (PBP)
Twitter: @danarelAHL