Gameday Preview: Texas Stars at Rockford IceHogs

Texas Stars 31-26-4-3, 69 pts #4 Central Division

at

Rockford IceHogs 29-24-4-6, 68 pts #5 Central Division

March 17th at 4:00 PM

BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, IL

The final playoff spot in the Central division is completely up for grabs with four teams scratching and clawing on a daily basis to secure it. Two of those teams, the Texas Stars and Rockford IceHogs, square off on Sunday in a matinee.

(credit: Rockford IceHogs)

The Stars are catching the IceHogs at a good time. Rockford will be playing their third game in as many days, but both of their previous games were wins against Grand Rapids and Cleveland. They are currently one point behind the Stars and have a game in hand. The Stars need to take advantage of some tired legs.

After Friday's overtime win in Manitoba, the Stars clearly needed a breather as they gave up three goals in the third period and narrowly escaped with the victory. The day off on Saturday could be a huge factor against the IceHogs.

Phil Desrosiers figures to get all the starts in net while Landon Bow is up in Dallas. To fill in behind him, the Stars brought up Colton Point on Saturday from the Idaho Steelheads. It would be tough to ask Point to step in during this critical stretch, though it could pay dividends in his development.


Stars injury/call up report:

Scarlett (season-ending ACL injury)
Laberge (upper body)

L'Esperance, Bow (call up)