PETE'S PREVIEW - HEAT VISIT STARS TONIGHT AT SHOWARE

by Pete Richmire

STARS SET TO BATTLE HARRISBURG FOR FIRST TIME

Tacoma, WA. – The Tacoma Stars (5-7), fresh off a win over previously unbeaten Monterrey, are set to welcome MASL Eastern Conference foe Harrisburg Heat (8-4) to the accesso ShoWare Center Friday Night. This is the first ever meeting between the two clubs and the only time they will face off this season. The Heat are coming off a four-game homestand which saw the team win three of those matches.

Harrisburg has six players who are having 10+ point production years led by Dominic Francis’ 24 points (21G-3A). Leading the team in assists with 12 and second in scoring is Daniel Villela (6G-12A). Jerjer Gibson (7G-9A), Elton de Oliveira (8G-3A), Dylan Hundelt (8G-2A), and Danny DiPrima (3G-7A) round out the Heat’s top producers.

Goalkeeping duties for Harrisburg have been split evenly between William Banahene and Jesus Molina who have each started six games. The statistical edge goes to Banahene with a 5-1 record, 3.61 goals-against-average, and .765 save percentage to Molina’s 3-3, 5.09, and .632, respectively.

For Tacoma, Danny Waltman remains the only keeper to log playing time this season and brings a 5-7 record, 6.14 GAA, and .640 save percentage into the match. At the half-way point of Tacoma’s season, they are led offensively by Nick Perera and his 30 points (14G-16A). Mike Ramos leads the team in goals scored (16) and is second on the squad in scoring with 23 points. Alex Caceres, who is third in the league in power play goals with 4, is also third in scoring for Tacoma with 17 points (8G-9).

For the season, Tacoma is 0-2 vs Eastern Conference foes while Harrisburg is 1-1 when facing off with Western Conference opponents.

The Stars welcome the Harrisburg Heat to the accesso ShoWare Center on Friday January 31 for the first ever meeting between the clubs. Don’t miss your chance to see the Stars battle an Eastern Conference foe. Game time is 7:35 pm and you can get your tickets at tacomastars.showare.com today