Stars Double Up The Wild Thing, Defeat Minnesota 4-2
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by user 192.195.66.44
On Tuesday Night at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-2. With the win, the Stars kept pace with the San Jose Sharks in the Pacific Division and maintained their 6th seed in the Western Conference.
Minnesota scored two goals in the first nine minutes of the game, as Stars goaltender Marty Turco allowed both goals on only seven shots. Yet, Minnesota was not able to maintain any momentum, as they allowed the Stars to go on the power play and mark the scoresheet for the first time in the game. Four minutes after the second Minnesota, Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher scored his 15th goal of the season on the extra man advantage, trimming the Wild's advantage to 2-1.
In the second period, only one goal was scored as Mike Modano recorded his 496th goal of his career and first since the All-Star break, leveling the contest at 2-2.
In the third period, the Stars would take the lead on the power play, as Sergei Zubov scored, giving the home team their first lead of the game. A minute later, Stu Barnes gave the Stars an insurance goal, doubling their advantage in the game.
After the Barnes tally, Mike Smith earned the victory in relief, as he stopped all 15 shots in 51 minutes of gametime and recorded his first win after the All-Star break.
Notes:
Special Teams:
Dallas won the game by taking the special yeams contest, scoring two goals on the power play and holding the Minnesota special teams scoreless on the night.
Injuries:
Only Steve Ott, Brenden Morrow and Matthew Barnaby are left on the Stars Injured Reserve List. As the team gets healthier, you will see names like Krys Barch leaving the lineup.
As for the minor leaguers who might stay on the big club for the rest of the season, count Loui Eriksson and Joel Lundqvist as those players who have made an impact.
Marty Turco:
After an terrible start where mental and physical fatigue could have setup the bad start to Tuesday's game, you might see Marty Turco not play as many games in a row as he has in December and January.
Tuesday's start and no decision was his 22nd straight game in the Stars net, yet could have been his shortest.
Because Turco struggled, Stars head coach Dave Tippett pushed Mike Smith in net, refusing to allow any more soft goals for the rest of the night and allowing Mike Smith to make his first appearance after the All-Star Break and his first appearance after going on the injured list in December, when he suffered from post concussion syndrome.
In the game, Smith kept the Stars in the contest, making saves on every shots he saw (15) and recorded the victory when Zubov and Barnes scored in the 3rd period.
Hopefully, Turco will get his head right in order to power his team through the rest of the season and the playoffs, as he will need to erase the memories of the past two seasons where his play has not been spectacular.
JG
