Gameday Preview: Texas Stars at Stockton Heat

Texas Stars 21-13-3-2, 47 pts #4 Central Division

at

Stockton Heat 16-19-4-0, 36 pts #1 Pacific Division

January 18th at 8:00 PM

Stockton Arena, Stockton, CA

A tough road trip is made tougher by close losses. The Stars had every right to win last night in San Jose as they belted Korenar with 41 shots. Michael Mersch alone had eight shots in the game, but the only goal was Bayreuther's late tally.

After two 2-1 losses to hot teams, the Stars get a chance against a club below .500 to right their trip. The Heat were losers in their last three, taking just a point out of Bakersfield last night on the road. Their last win was a week ago at home against Ontario, a 6-5 OT victory.

(Credit: Texas Stars)

Like Texas, Stockton scores a ton. The issue for the Heat is their goals against. Coming into today, they're the worst in the league with 4.13 per game. Jon Gillies had a hot rookie season and has regressed, marking off a 5-12-4 record with an .857 SV% and 4.11 GAA. The goalies as a group have allowed at least four goals in all but two of their last ten games.

This feels like a game that Texas should have well in hand. The Stars would feel much better about the trip if this is a 7-2 victory. Especially with so much scoring prowess in the lineup, despite the departure of Denis Gurianov to Dallas, this club should score at least 4 tonight.

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