Face off

Hit the net: Even with being back to a full roster after a rash of injuries, Lincoln continues to struggle to score goals. Lincoln is averaging 2.29 goals per game, which ranks last in the 14-team United States Hockey League.

Omaha, the overall league leader in the standings, averages a league-best 4.29-goals per game.

While scoring isn't easy in this league, where Lincoln should start is simple, according to coach Jimmy McGroarty. You've got to get the puck to the net, McGroarty says.

"The one thing that is probably killing us is we're missing the net," McGroarty said. "We're trying to pick corners of the net. Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky, those guys never picked corners. They didn't. They put it in an area -- top shelf, low blocker -- whatever it was. That's what we need to do a better job of.

"If we miss the net we're breaking them out for an opportunity the other way instead of us getting a shot on goal, and having a chance to score or have a chance for a rebound."

Defense getting better: After once giving up seven and eight goals in back-to-back games, the Stars have allowed seven goals in the past four games combined, including a shutout against Green Bay.

"At the beginning of the year defense was a weak spot, but we tightened up and have been really good the last month," Stars defenseman Matt Bruneteau said. "We just have those little breakdowns, and we have to eliminate that."

Roster updates

Defensemen Garrett Clement is expected to report to Lincoln by next week and should in the lineup when Lincoln hosts Tri-City on Dec. 4.

Clement was at South Kent prep school in Connecticut and is getting lots of attention from college recruiters. The Stars hope Clement can add a spark to the power-play unit.

Another South Kent player, forward Michael Pereria, was added to the Stars protected roster two weeks ago, but he won't be coming to Lincoln.

Defenseman Will Rayner and forward Andrew Ammon will come off the 45-day injured reserve next week, but neither will probably be ready to play again for at least a few weeks.

To make room on the roster, rookie defenseman Dan Weissenhofer was traded to Bismarck, N.D., of the North American Hockey League.