Pre-Game Report: Sioux Falls at Lincoln Stars 2/9

The Lincoln Stars will try to break out of their current seven game losing streak this Tuesday night at the IceBox, as the Stars host the Sioux Falls Stampede.  The Stars have a record of 11-24-6 (28 points), and are in last place overall in the USHL.  The Stampede are currently 22-8-9 (53 points) and are in third place in the USHL West Division.  The Stars have not won a game since their 6-2 blowout win against the Tri-City Storm on 1/20.  Meanwhile, the Stampede have won four out of their past five games since losing 10-1 to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders on 1/22.

This will be the fourth time this season the Stars and Stampede have faced off against each other.  In their past three meetings, the Stampede have outscored the Stars 8-0.  Yes, that is correct.  The Stars have not scored at all against the Stampede this season.  Stampede goaltender Clay Witt is 2-0 against the Stars this season with two shutouts, while his backup Lino Chimienti is 1-0 against the Stars with one shutout.  Stars goaltenders Matt Green and Jared Coreau both have respectable stats against the Stampede this season, but as we've seen throughout the season, neither goaltender has received any substantial offensive support from their teammates.  The Stampede offense received a shot in the arm this past weekend with the acquisition of forward Mark Anthoine from the Chicago Steel.  Anthoine has scored 39 points (21g, 18a) in 39 games this season.

The USHL trade deadline was this past Sunday, and the Stars continued to make moves to bolster their roster for next season.  Forward David Gerths was traded to the Green Bay Gamblers for forward Sam Alfieri and a first round draft pick (entry draft).  Defenseman Garrett Clement was sent to the Omaha Lancers for defenseman Matt Wahl, who will be attending Brown University in the Fall.  Coach McGroarty mentioned after the Des Moines game Saturday night that there were draft picks coming from Omaha in that Clement-Wahl trade also.  I believe those are futures draft picks, not entry draft picks.  Also, forward Jon Puskar (one of my favorites on the team) was traded to the Waterloo Blackhawks for "future draft picks," whatever that means.  If anyone knows exactly what the Stars received for Puskar, please leave a comment. Coach McGroarty also mentioned that affiliate forward Chris Delmauro would be joining the team for good.  DelMauro has played 3 games for the Stars this season, scoring one goal.

Of the next 10 games for the Stars, 9 will be played at home.  Normally, the Stars would welcome a long home stand, but this season has certainly not been "normal" for anyone associated with the organization.  Lincoln is a surprising 4-11-2 at home this season.  The Stars last won at home on 1/15 against the Indiana Ice.  The last home win before that?  Way back on 11/14/09 against the Waterloo Blackhawks.  

Despite this nightmare season, it's evident to me that this Stars team is not giving up.  They were down 4-1 against the Des Moines Bucs this past Saturday night, yet rallied to take a 5-4 lead before losing in the shootout.  The playoffs may be a distant dream, but the players have shown they will not roll over and stop fighting.  That's encouraging to me, and I hope other Lincoln fans recognize this.  It's important we still sellout the IceBox and show these players that we have their back, regardless of their record.  The Stars still lead the USHL in average attendance per game, which is also encouraging.  I'd hate to see the fans stay away just because the Stars are struggling this season.  I know I sound like a broken record, but the players need our support more than ever.  9 of the next 10 games are at the IceBox.  Let's pack the house.

Go Stars.

Note:  According to the Lincoln Stars website, there will be a "one-night only return of Silly String at the Ice Box and rollback prices on selected concession items for this special weeknight game."  Silly string was banned at the IceBox back in the late 90's, so I'm guessing the Stars management got approval from the USHL to bring it back for just this game.  For those of us who remember silly string during the first few seasons, it was something fun to watch the fans do.  Messy, but fun.  I'm not sure what concession items specifically will have the "rollback prices."