Game Day - Aeros at Texas Stars

Right now the Texas Stars have 18 wins, the Aeros have 18 wins, the OKC Barons have 18 wins and the Charlotte Checkers have 19 wins. And the San Antonio Rampage, even though they are in last place in the division, they have the best goaltending and defense.

With the lockout ending, this race is wide open, and all the teams are playing today.
When the games are over today, the Aeros could be anywhere from tied for first to fourth in the division.

Photo by Morris Molina, Houston Aeros

No matter what you think about games in January, today's tilt with the Stars is a big game. The Aeros lost at home to Texas on Friday, and the Stars just absolutely crushed the Peoria Rivermen Saturday night. They are flying high right now, and it looks like the Aeros are going to get another dose of Nilstorp, the talented Texas netminder.

The Aeros have lost fight straight on the road, and are going to be without several key players. Granlund will likely stay in Houston and Brian Connelly is out with an upper body injury. He collided with a Rampage defenseman late in the game last night, and it looked like he messed up his shoulder pretty good.

What does that mean? Well, the Aeros are going to have to start playing better 5-on-5 hockey. Losing Granlund and Connelly is really, really going to hurt the power play, so all that talk about playing better "checking hockey" is going to have to start ASAP.

I am going over to Cedar Park for the game today ... and I know Heather is going, too, so be sure to follow her on Twitter (@hockeygalindo) for live reports. Also, we'll try to get some post game stuff from Torchetti as well.