Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Texas Stars & Allen Americans in Action Tonight

Two huge games in the Southwest tonight as the Allen Americans are looking to force a championship deciding Game 7 tonight down in Rapid City. After a couple of very rough games for the Americans. They need to turn around their momentum that has killed them in the 2nd period the last couple of games.

Friday's Game 4 saw a 2-0 lead evaporate with a 3 goal 2nd period to put the Rush up 3-2. Then a goal by Jon Pelle who ended a 10 game goal scoring drought that goes back to the Conference Series against the Missouri Mavericks to have the 4-2 win to tie the series.

Then on Friday Night, the Rush got off to a very hot start as Derek Campbell scored just 3 minutes in then Les Reaney scored his 9th goal of the playoffs, which took him to 25 points overall for the playoffs which puts him 2nd overall in playoff scoring.

Despite coming back late in the 1st to make it 2-2. It was a bad 2nd period with 2 goals by Brendan Cook and another by Les Reaney that put the game out of reach at 5-2 where the Rush would later win 7-2.

If Allen is going to force a Game 7 tonight in South Dakota, they will need to figure out a way to keep in the game for all 3 periods. Things like Goalie Performances and SOG haven't been the problem. Game 5 was only the 2nd time in the entire playoffs where he got pulled and the SOG have been pretty even as well for the most-part. Except for the 2nd period in Game 4 where the Rush out-shot the Americans 18-9.

Texas took both games to OT in Chicago to start the Calder Cup Division Finals against the Wolves. Game 1 saw a quick end in OT as the Garrett Stafford scored just 2 minutes into the extra frame. While game 2 saw a great finish to the game where forward Warren Peters scored his 2nd of the playoffs to make it 3-3 to force OT. However it was Chicago's Anthony Stewart who scored his 2nd of the game to win Game 2 and give the Stars their first loss of the playoffs.

If Texas is going to have a shot beating the Wolves. The Offensive pressure on Wolves goalie Peter Mannino will need to increase. In the first 2 games, The Stars have had just 27 & 29 in regulation. Even though the defense has been strong so far, the Wolves offense is starting to turn up the pressure. Players like Aaron Gagon, Travis Morin and Warren Peters will need to turn it up to help Jamie Benn who's been brought down to help out the team in the Texas Stars Playoff Run.

Tonight is the first of 3 this week as Game 3 will be tonight, Game 4 is on Wednesday. Then after a day off on Thursday, it's a Friday Night showdown on March 7. Texas needs to have some of the best games of the season to keep the Wolves pressure at bay to be successful this week.

However, with the announcement that Stars Defensemen Garrett Stafford for his actions on Sunday, he will be out for the next 3 games and won't be coming back till a possible Game 6 which would be on May 9. If the Stars sweep these 3 games and win the series this week, then he would return for Game 1 of the Western Conference Final either against Hamilton or Abbotsford.


Links for Stories and info on tonight's Games.


Allen Americans VS. Rapid City Rush Game 6

CHL Shots on the Point: www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=4632

Allen Americans in Elimination Games: www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=4634

Keys for Victory in Game 6: www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=4636

Game 6 on CHL-TV: www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=4633


Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves Game 3

Game 3 Preview: www.texasstarshockey.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=290

AHL Morning Skate: http://theahl.com/ahl-morning-skate-may-4-p142510

Andrew Hutchinson Suspension: http://theahl.com/ahl-announces-suspension-p142506


Tonight's Schedule:

Allen Americans VS. Rapid City Rush Game 6 7:35 PM

Rapid City Leads Championship Series 3-2


Chicago Wolves VS. Texas Stars Game 3 7:30 PM

Series Tied 1-1

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