Stars One Better Then The Ducks
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by user UNT66
On Saturday afternoon at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars defeated the Anaheim Ducks 1-0. With the win, the Stars started a two game winning streak and gained ground on the Pacific Division leading Ducks, trailing by only 6 points after today's contest.
Only one goal was scored, as Jussi Jokinen marked the scoresheet on the Stars started their 4th power play of the game. Jokinen split the Anaheim defense on the Ducks blueline and beat J.S. Giguere low blocker with a wrist shot.
After the goal, Stars goalie Mike Smith stopped all the Ducks shots, 32 to be exact and the Stars held on for a 1-0 victory.
Notes:
2:30 Starts Are Bad......
-On A day game, the players seem to need more game time then usual. In this game, only the goaltenders looked sharp for the entire 60 minutes game.
Once the third period came up, the forward on both teams seemed to have some extra and jump to their game. Yet, only one goal was scored in the frame.
I'm hoping that the Stars get used to the early start, as their next game is tomorrow afternoon versus Colorado..
Smith's Pretty Good Right Now
Counting the relief appearance vs. Minnesota on Tuesday, Stars goaltender Mike Smith has a 119 minute scoreless streak, making 47 consecutive saves for the Stars in the last two appearance in net.
Combine his recent play with the contract extension he signed on Saturday and Smith's recent run has been outstanding and rewarding at the same time.....
Plus, Stars head coach Dave Tippett inserted Smith into the starting lineup instead of Marty Turco, sending a clear message to his supposed #1 netminder that inconsistent play will not be tolerated. Making the move to start a backup against the division leaders is a bold step.
It would be a wild one if Smith starts playoff games, but that might happen if Turco continues to struggle.
Special Teams Battle:
Scoring the Only Goal of the game on the power play and then shutting down the 3rd best power play unit in the NHL helped the Stars secure two points in the standings. For the Stars, the special teams helped turn around three straight awful appearances against Anaheim where they only managed one goal, but gave up 4 to 5 goals each time.
This afternoon, one goal and an outstanding goaltender was enough to help the Stars move closer to the Ducks in the standings.
Parros is a No Show today:
There was one fight in the game, but Ducks forward George Parros was scratched, meaning that Anaheim kept one of their best fighters off the ice. Yet, if wanted to get some inside information on this "goon", go to SI.com ( http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_farber/02/05/ducks0212/index.html) and check out Michael Farber's story on Parros. It's an excellent story and good reading for anyone.
JG
