No one is happy after two weeks on the road without one single point in the standings to show for it. The Texas Stars head back to the comforts of Cedar Park to take on the Stockton Heat on Friday as they lick their wounds from a winless five-game stretch on the West coast.





Last week, when the Stars faced them in Northern California, we reported that the Heat are last in the league in goals allowed. If anything, that was an omen that the Stars could get their suddenly struggling offense back on track. They proceeded to pepper goaltender Tyler Parsons with 51 shots while only scoring twice. Go figure.



Making predictions is a dangerous game to play, especially considering what we all thought would happen on the road just now. But signs points to this team playing angry on Friday, relishing the opportunity to beat up on an inferior opponent. They would never say those words, but that has to be the mindset. The alternative is to play scared and lose belief in a team we all had penciled in for the playoffs five minutes ago.



Look for the offense to come alive at home. The Stars will still ice Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov for the time being to go with their second and third lines that can easily be any team's top group.



The puck drops at 7:00 PM CST.