(2) Texas Stars vs. (3) Rockford Ice Hogs Preview
This is a quick preview of the up-coming Playoff Series for the Texas Stars before they take on the Rockford Ice Hogs.
Series Games:
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 16 – Rockford at Texas, 7:30 CT
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 17 – Rockford at Texas, 7:00 CT
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Texas at Rockford, 7:05 CT
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 23 – Texas at Rockford, 7:05 CT
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 24 – Texas at Rockford, 7:05 CT
*Game 6 – Mon., Apr. 26 – Rockford at Texas, 7:30 CT
*Game 7 – Tue., Apr. 27 – Rockford at Texas, 7:30 CT
(*-If Necessary)
Regular Season Match-Up:
Nov. 18 TEX 3 at RFD 1
Nov. 21 TEX 4 at RFD 3 (OT)
Dec 11 RFD 2 at TEX 4
Dec. 12 RFD 3 at TEX 2
Mar. 5 RFD 3 at TEX 4 (OT)
Mar. 20 TEX 2 at RFD 0
Apr 9. RFD 5 at TEX 1
Stars Leading Regular Season Scorer: Aaron Gagnon, 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists).
IceHogs Leading Regular Season Scorer: Mark Cullen, 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists).
Stars Leading Regular Season Goalie: Matt Clime, 2.46 Goals Against (21 wins, 17 losses).
IceHogs Leading Regulars Season Goalie: Corey Crawford, 2.67 Goals Against (24 wins, 16 losses).
Something worthwhile about the Stars: This is the first appearance for the Stars in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Something worthwhile about the IceHogs: The IceHogs had an even goals for and goals against on the season as they scored 226 goals, and gave up 226 goals.
Something useful about the Stars connected to the AHL Playoffs: Stars forward Mathieu Beaudoin had 17 points in 20 playoff games for Houston in 2009 Playoffs.
Something useful about the IceHogs connected to the AHL Playoffs: IceHogs leading scorer Mark Cullen reached the Calder Cup Finals with Manitoba last year.
Who needs to be the difference for the Stars: Matt Clime and Brent Kahn- the pair of Goalies kept Texas in a lot of games this year. Kahn, out most of the year with injury, was the best Goaltender for the Stars posting a 17-4 win/loss record with a 1.83 goals against average. If not for this injury Kahn would have been then AHL’s best goaltender.
Who needs to be the difference for the IceHogs: Mark Cullen and Kyle Greentree- each one of these forwards played great in the regular season. Cullen led the team in the on and off the ice both in the locker room and on the stat sheet, where as Greentree led the team in goals. The IceHogs need to have these two to start scoring, especially on the power play, or this will be a quick exit for the Hogs.
Prediction: The Stars and the city they play in, Austin, are new to these Playoffs. However, during the regular season there wasn’t a better team, either on the power play or the penalty kill, than the Stars. If the Stars can cash in during the power play, they will take care of business in the first round. The IceHogs have experience on their side. If Crawford shuts down the Stars power play and Cullen and Greentree can score on Kahn or Clime, then the IceHogs will send the Stars to an early exit.
Prediction: Stars 4-1
By T.J. McAloonT.J. will be posting live updates from Saturday’s Game 2 on our Twitter page.
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