Gameday Preview: Texas Stars at Rockford IceHogs

Texas Stars 1-0-1-1, 4 pts #4 Central Division

at

Rockford IceHogs 0-2-0-0, 0 pts #8 Central Division

October 13th at 6:00 PM

BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, IL

Coming off their 4-3 shootout loss against the Iowa Wild, the Texas Stars resume their Central division-heavy schedule against the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday evening.

(credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Rockford hasn't put together the start they wanted, having lost twice to the Cleveland Monsters. This IceHogs team doesn't quite resemble the one that the Stars squared off against during last season's Western Conference Final, but that's par for the course with a successful squad. Only scoring three goals over two contests is going to have the IceHogs hungry to get pucks on net during their home opener on Saturday.

Familiar foe Collin Delia, who had a tremendous rookie season last year, figures to man the pipes for the home crowd, as he was recently reassigned from the Chicago Blackhawks. He allowed five goals in his first start against the Monsters and should project for a bounce back game.

For the Stars to come away from this road trip with three out of four points, they'll need to continue to spread the scoring around. Big forward Michael Mersch has distributed the wealth so far with the helpers in three games. Landon Bow has the numbers to suggest he will grab the most starts in net, at least in the early going. The coaching staff will likely lean on rookie Colton Point to relieve Bow on the second night of a back-to-back.

As much as the IceHogs have churned their roster from last season, the Stars look every bit as unfamiliar. This early slate of Central division games will be key for Texas to forge an identity and gain confidence.

The puck drops at 6:00 PM CDT.

Stars injury/call up report:
Scarlett (lower body injury)