Gameday Preview: Texas Stars at Tucson Roadrunners, Game 2

Texas Stars 38-24-8-6, 90 pts, 0.592 #2 Pacific Division

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Tucson Roadrunners 42-20-5-1, 90 pts, 0.662 #1 Pacific Division

May 4th at 9:05 PM

Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, AZ

Tucson leads 1-0

If the Texas Stars can emerge victorious in game two on Friday night against the Tucson Roadrunners, their trip to the desert can be viewed as a success as they would head back to Texas with home ice advantage. If they don't, this could turn into a very short series.

(credit: Tucson Roadrunners)

There are plenty of reasons for optimism heading into Friday's game. Mike McKenna turned in another good outing on Wednesday, stopping all but two of 36 shots. The Stars were also competitive throughout the game, keeping it close until tying it up at one in the third period. Should play extend to overtime on Friday as it did on Wednesday, the Stars will be as confident as any team could be having been there and done that all season. 

Roadrunners goaltender Adin Hill is a problem (.942 SP). If the Stars are going to make any headway in solving him in game two, they are going to have to get more than 24 pucks to the net, which was their total on Wednesday. They would also do themselves a huge favor by eliminating stick fouls. Three of their five penalties taken on Wednesday were stick infractions that can be eliminated from their game. 

Lastly, Dylan Strome (8 pts) won't stay quiet forever. As the stakes get higher, it's only going to be a matter of time before Tucson's best player puts together a multi-point performance. The Stars have to be ready to match the scoring of Strome and his ultra talented forward group. Expect the offense from both teams to open up a bit in game two, unless McKenna and Hill continue playing out of their minds.

Don't expect coach Derek Laxdal to hit the eject button on the lineup that has worked for him in the playoffs up to this point. If the Stars come home from Tucson without a win, perhaps changes will come. 

The puck drops at 9:05 CDT.

Stars injury report:

Fyten (injured)

Roadrunners Web Resources
Website: tucsonroadrunners.com
Twitter: @RoadrunnersAHL
Coverage: @CallahanOnAir (Tucson PBP)