Gameday Preview: Texas Stars v. Ontario Reign

Texas Stars 16-10-3-1, 36 pts #5 Central Division

v.

Ontario Reign 10-12-3-2, 25 pts #7 Pacificl Division

December 29th at 7:00 PM

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Cedar Park, TX

The Texas Stars meet up with a former division foe for the only time on home ice this season. The Stars made a hard break with the Reign this season, only playing two games. Tonight's game finishes off the season series. Ontario took the only game in California by a 5-3 margin back on November 1.

Texas comes into the contest with additions and subtractions to their lineup. Yesterday, Dallas assigned Gavin Bayreuther, who has played 19 NHL games this season and only 7 in Texas. That was a big add on the backend and gives the power play, which is already clicking, a further boost with his cannon shot. However, Dallas also took away with Jason Dickinson going on IR and Roope Hintz heading back to the NHL. As Bayreuther was assigned, Texas did send Brady Norrish back to Idaho.

(Credit: Texas Stars)

For what must be the first time in forever, Texas will have the advantage on rest days. The Reign played last night in San Antonio, a 3-2 loss. Texas played on Thursday against the same Rampage. The game was their fifth straight home win and set them at a three-game point streak.

Ontario has had a rotating cast of goalies this season, none of them fairing well. Cal Petersen, Jack Campbell, Peter Budaj and Michael Leighton have all had a turn in the Ontario net, and Petersen owns the best record of them all at 4.29 GAA and .881 SV%. It's not been a great year defensively. They average 4.31 goals against per game. With Texas near the top of the scoring table (#4 at 3.77/gm), it makes sense to expect an explosive night offensively.

Stars injury/call up report:
Scarlett (season-ending ACL injury)
Hintz, Fedun, Gurianov (call up)