Stars Contniue Streaking, Defeats Phoenix 3-0

by user UNT66

Wednesday Night at American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0.

For the Stars, they scored a goal in every period and then shutdown the Coyotes, giving them their sixth straight victory at American Airlines Center.

In the 1st period, Sergei Zubov scored a power play goal two minutes into the frame.

In the 2nd period, Mike Ribeiro scored an even strength goal nearly two minutes away from the intermission.

In the 3rd period, Philippe Boucher scored a power play seventeen minutes into the frame.

After the goal scoring, Marty Turco made denied the Coyotes every time, making 25 saves and recorded his second straight shutout.

Notes:

More Turco:

Turco is now on a personal shutout streak of 143:06, which includes two straight shutouts.

During this stretch where the Stars roster has been in flux, with players going in and out of the lineup on a daily basis, Turco's play has been a strength that the team can lean on.

Stars own Coyotes:

In the season series versus Phoenix, the Stars have shutout the Coyotes three straight times. Among these shutouts are two for Turco and one for Mike Smith, the Stars backup goaltender.

Thus, the Coyotes are a real bad team and should be fighting for lottery position in June.

Special Teams:

Stars won the Special teams Battle 2-0, scoring two goals with a two man advantage. Thanks to the Stars power play, they avoided another 1-0 game this season, which happened earlier this season in Phoenix.

Injury Bug Update:

Add Mike Modano to the players that are out of the lineup with a lower body injury, as he was scratched for the first time this season on Wednesday Night.

Modano joined Miettinen, Morrow, Klemm, and Lindros as scratches versus the Coyotes.

Some good news in the Injury department occurred on Wednesday as Trevor Daley was activated from Injured Reserve and Darryl Sydor returned to the lineup as well.

Thus, Niklas Grossman was sent back to Iowa, indicating that the Stars Defensive Corps is slowly getting back on track. Only Philippe Boucher (Personal Matters, Father's Health) could keep the Stars from running their full roster on their blue line.

Philippe Boucher:

While Boucher waits out to see what happens with his ailing father, who is in hospice care, he continues to play outstanding hockey. With a goal and an assist in Wednesday's game, Boucher continued his point streak to 4 games and six points (2 Goals, 4 Assists)

If Boucher leaves the team for personal reasons, it will be a big loss for the club as he has outstanding in his last few games.

Joe Nieuwendyk:

Sad News Coming Out of Miami today as Former Star Joe Nieuwendyk retired, ending a 20 year career in the NHL.

A three time Stanley Cup Winner and the Conn Symthe Winner in 1999, Nieuwendyk represents one of the key players that helped the Stars win the Cup for their only title in franchise history.........

Yet, this might not be the only retirement for the Panthers that affects Stars fans this year, as Ed Belfour might be retiring later this year.....

Next Game: Stars vs. Oilers, as the Defending Western Conference Champs come into town on Friday.....

JG