My Stars swept the OKC Barons last Wednesday night. I think they received the memo saying, “Hey, Steve has D&D rescheduled for Friday, we gotta’ win to avoid a fourth game that evening!” It was pretty sweet since the Barons robbed us of the high we had from last season when we were the divisional champ, expecting to at least make it closer to the Calder Cup.
Momentum was certainly on the Stars’ side. The initial two games in OKC were won in OT, talk about cutting it close. Things looked similar when they gave up a 2-0 lead to be tied 2-all by the third; the short-handed goal was irksome. Then the Stars got it together, scored a third and cinched it with an empty-netter courtesy of a turnover by the Barons’ blue line. There were people taunting goalie and former Star Richard Bachmann yet I knew better. When the coach yells to skate in, you do it and trust your teammates have control of the puck. The Barons were desperate as the numerous penalties they collected demonstrated. It didn’t pay off but our power play needs to be better.
Now to hope they don’t get too soft from waiting on the other teams finishing their best-of-five series. Chicago defeated Rochester this afternoon so it means we now face Grand Rapids, a first. Chicago gets Toronto.
Even better. Games one and two will be while I’m here. The next possible three will all be away during the week I party in Vegas! I won’t miss out. Can the Stars pull off another sweep? Maybe. Four games in a row is harder than three. The GR Griffins are also the defending champs.
Will we advance? I think so. Who will we face after GR? I’m going on a limb and saying Toronto. Chicago may have a higher seed, Rochester gave them a good scare while the Marlies swept my ol’ Milwaukee Admirals.