Modano Scores His 500th Goal, Stars Defeat Flyers 3-2
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by user UNT66
Tuesday Night at The American Airlines Center, The Dallas Stars defeated the Philadelphia Flyers. With the win, the Stars extended their current winning streak to three games and kept pace with the San Jose Sharks, as both teams are deadlocked with 87 points, tied for the 5th seed in the Western Conference.
Dallas earned the early lead, as Jere Lehtinen scored six minutes into the contest, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead.
After a scoreless second period, Philadelphia tied the game at 1-1 as Joni Pitkanen scored six minutes into the period.
Three minutes later, Dallas scored two goals in a span of 34 seconds, regaining their lead and adding an insurance goal as they led 3-1 midway through the third period. Jussi Jokinen scored an unassisted goal and then Mike Modano made history with his 500th Career Goal, giving the Stars the eventual game winning goal.
Philadelphia made the game interesting, as they trimmed the Stars advantage to 3-2 as Scottie Upshall scored, giving the Flyers a little hope of tying the game before regulation expired.
Yet, Mike Smith would hold on, making 17 saves on the night as Dallas won the contest, 3-2, over the Flyers.
Notes:
Modano's Good:
Aside from putting home a rebound for his 500th goal, here are the other milestones and records that were set on Tuesday:
-39th Player in NHL History with 500 Career NHL Goals
-9th Active Player in the NHL with 500 Career NHL Goals
-Set the Franchise Record for Game Winning Goals, His 81st Game Winner
-Ranks 9th In NHL History in Goals From a Player who has played with only one franchise
-2nd American Born Player In NHL History with 500 Goals and needs only three goals to overtake Joe Mullen for #1 on the U.S. Born Goalscorers List
If you haven't put him as a Future Hall Of Famer, Start the PR Campaign now as Modano will retire eventually as one of the greatest American Born Players In NHL History.
-Klemm Gets Overlooked:
On Modano's 500th Goal, Defenseman Jon Klemm recorded his 100th NHL Career Assist. Now, it's not a big as 500 goals, but for a defenseman who specializes as a stay at home defenseman, this is a big milestone.
Yet, Modano goes home the hero on Tuesday Night.
However, If Klemm wants to go scoreboard on Modano, Klemm can look at his two Stanley Cup Rings to Modano's One.....
Injury Woes Continue:
Both Chris Conner and Ladislav Nagy went down with injuries during Tuesday's game and would not return to action.
Add those injuries to Mattias Norstrom's slow return form an injury and both players acquired by trades prior to the deadline are now looking to come back into the lineup, nursing their wounds......
Scoring Is Up:
Dallas has scored at three goals in each of the last four games played. As the playoffs come closer, the ability of this team to score goals consistently will be crucial to the playoff survival.
Also, Modano has scored four goals in his last six games played. As the Superstars got hot (Lehtinen also scored his team leading 24th goal on Tuesday Night), more encouraging signs are coming up for a team that needs to break out of the 1st round of the playoffs.
Smith Wins, But Makes It Interesting:
Mike Smith was inserted as the Starter on Tuesday night, making 17 saves and earning the win. Yet, this win was similar to Sunday OT win over the Kings as he gave up a late goal, making the game interesting.
In this game, Smith didn't gain any ground to push Marty Turco as the starter in the Playoffs.
Next Game is with Jarome Iginla and the Flames on Thursday....
JG
Well done indeed!