Lazers to Face Tacoma After Stars Make Coaching Change

The Lazers, attempting to improve on a two-game winning streak, wind up a four-game trip tonight at 7:30 against the Tacoma Stars at the Tacoma Dome.

While the Lazers (16-16) have been hovering around the .500 mark for the last month, a vast improvement over their performance at this stage last season, the Stars (17-18) have apparently been playing well below their capabilities.

At least that’s what the board of directors thought, voting, 13-0, Monday to dismiss Alan Hinton and his assistant coach, Steve Buttle.

The Stars’ special events manager, Jim McAlister, has been named to replace Hinton. McAlister, 31, a former Tacoma defender who played three seasons with the club, has no prior coaching experience. He had been the team’s color commentator this season.

The second-place Lazers, who trail the San Diego Sockers by eight games, are coming off a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Comets.