Done In By The Power Play, Ducks Quack The Stars 5-1

by user UNT66

Thursday Night At the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars lost to the Anaheim Ducks, 5-1. With the loss, the Stars have slipped into a three game losing streak and have lost 5 of their last 6 games.

This game can be broken down into two plays and the power plays that resulted from them. In the first period, Marty Turco commits a roughing penalty, when he used his blocker and just treated one of the Ducks to a shiatsu message in front of his net. On the ensuing power play, the Ducks cashed in as Teemu Selanne scored the first of three goals on the night.

Then, with the game tied 1-1 fourteen minutes into the second period, Philippe Boucher was called for a Boarding Major, when he sent Travis Moen of the Ducks head first into the first and the hit ended up resulting in a bloody mouth, some lost teeth and a game misconduct, which kicked out the Stars MVP for the rest of the game.

After the penalty, the Ducks scored twice on the power play as Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer found the back of the net, giving the Ducks a 3-1 lead. A minute later on even strength, Ducks forward Joe DiPenta scored with less then a minute in the 2nd period, giving the Ducks three goals in the last three minutes of the frame.

In the third period, Teemu Selanne finished his hat trick, giving the Ducks a 5-1 lead and sending a message that they are still the best team in the West, no matter how banged up their are at the moment (Chris Pronger and J.S. Giguere were both out with injuries).

Notes:

Hagman One Away:

The Stars did score a goal on the stick of Niklas Hagman, who now is one goal away from tying a career high for goals in a season with 10. Thus, the injury bug has helped out this Fin become more productive offensively.

Lindros Streaking:

With the secondary assist on Hagman's goal, Eric Lindros now has a two game point streak (0-2-2). Now, it may not seem like much, but he has slowly contributed to the lineup after coming back from injury.

Boucher's Early Exit:

Philippe Boucher's Boarding Major and Game Misconduct sent Stars Head Coach Dave Tippett's best player to the showers after a short night.

With his leading point and goal scorer relegated to the dressing room, the Dallas Offense was sluggish and looked out of rhythm when they went on the power play.

There should not be a suspension for the hit that caused the major penalty, but his departure proved how valuable he is at this time.

Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if he is the only Stars player to make the upcoming All-Star Game. As the most consistent player for the Stars this season, Boucher has helped bring this team through the current Injury Bug that has sidelined a few players and has forced the big club to bring up players from their AHL Affiliate in Iowa.....

Injury Bug Has Sid Too....

Speaking of Players coming up from Iowa, Niklas Grossman will be recalled and Chris Conner will be sent down as early as today. With Darryl Sydor going out of Tuesday's contest with the Coyotes with an upper body injury and not seeing a timetable for his return, the roster will still have a minor league feel to it for a couple months......

As for the other players dealing with Injuries:

Modano: Out Until After the All-Star Game

Morrow: Could Be February or March Until His Return

Ott: Was Supposed to Come Back After The New Year, Now Could Be Pushed Back Till After The All Star Game

Suddenly, this team has turned into a M.A.S.H. unit and their standings have dropped going from 4th to 6th in the last month. If this trend continues, they could fall even further and have to face a division winner in the 1st round of the playoffs.

JG