After losing in the first round in both the CMHL and ICHF last year, the Dallas Stars and their farm team Minnesota North Stars will look to avoir first-round defeats at the hands of Vancouver and False Creek this time around. Here's a breakdown of the matchups.

Following a big Season 17, the Dallas Stars seemed to take a step backwards in Season 18, though by most standards, they still had a successful season. But when you're coming off a President's Trophy and Conference Finals loss, expectations are high. So even though Dallas finished 6th in a very tight Western Conference (only 4 points out of 3rd), following a devastating Game 7 loss in the quarter-finals to the eventual cup finalist Predators, GM habsfan93 felt more than dissapointed. 

Meanwhile, where CMHL success didn't come easily, the ICHF Minnesota North Stars turned their fortunes around and went from a non-playoff team to finishing 4th in the Western Conference and 5th overall in the ICHF. Sadly, however, they too bowed out to the Predators farm team, the Knoxville Ice Bears, in the quarter-finals. Needless to say, a little rivalry between Dallas and Nashville appears to have taken root.

Let's take a look at what changes are in store for the Season 19 Stars and North Stars...

In a weird twist, the Dallas Stars are facing the Nashville Predators in both the CMHL and ICHF quarter-finals of the S18 playoffs. The Stars won Game 1 of the both series and hope to move forward in both leagues. Here's a breakdown of each of the matchups.

It's been a rollercoaster Season 18 for the Dallas Stars that saw them fall out of the playoff race at mid-season but a 13-4-3 record in their last 20 games has them back at the top of the Central Division in a very competitive Western Conference. With 24 games remaining, can Dallas maintain this pace and secure a top 4 playoff berth or will they be fighting for their playoff lives down to the wire? Can Brayden Point maintain his torrid pace and win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer?

After winning the President's Trophy in Season 17 and bowing out to the Blues in the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Stars will be looking to build on that success and take home the Cup in Season 18. The core of the team is back but this year's team will still have a different look. Meanwhile, the ICHF Minnesota North Stars underwent a total revamp in an attempt to bring them into the playoffs this year.

The Dallas Stars surprised a lot of people last season by making the playoffs with a roster that many GM's didn't think had the potential to go very far. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they hit the majestic 100 point mark for the 3rd time in 4 seasons. Dallas has never missed the playoffs in CMHL history, one of only a handful of teams that can lay claim to that feat. Sporting a roster that is somewhat, but not altogether different from last season's, GM Adam Roy (aka StarsGM) will look to continue the streak and maintain hold of the dubious title. He'll need a second straight standout season from young goalie Alex Auld if that is to come true.