Stars beat the Blues 4-1
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by user UNT66
Wednesday Night, The Dallas Stars defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-1 at the American Airlines Center. After St. Louis scored the initial goal of the game, the Dallas Stars scored four unanswered goals. With the win, the Stars picked up their 10th victory of the year.
A little over a minute into the game, St. Blues got off to a fast start as Keith Thachuk scored, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead.
Ten Minutes later, Dallas used the power play to tie up the game as Philippe Boucher fired a slap shot that was redirected by Eric Lindros into the back of the Blues net.
After the Lindros tally, each team failed to mark the scoresheet for the rest of the 1st period and both teams went to the dressing rooms tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.
Seven minutes into the second period, the Stars took their first advantage of the contest. Mike Modano fires a wrist shot from the slot that found the back of the net, giving the Stars a 2-1 lead. After Modano’s tally, neither team scored for the rest of the frame as Dallas maintained a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Nearly 13 minutes into the third period, the Stars padded their advantage as Jussi Jokinen fired a wrister into the back of the Blues net.
Five minutes from the end of the period, the Stars added another goal. Eric Lindros pounded a rebounded chance just past the goal line, giving the Stars a 4-1 lead.
After the Lindros tally, neither team scored for the rest of the game and Dallas finished the night on top, 4-1. For the Stars, they will go on a road trip that starts in Edmonton on Friday Night.
Notes:
Greener’s Three Stars of the Game:
1. Eric Lindros, DAL: 2 Goals, 1 Fight - Provided the Game Tying Goal, an Insurance and became a surprise pest on the night
2. Jussi Jokinen: Goal, Assist - Recorded the primary assist on the game winner, added an insurance goal
3. Marty Turco: 23 Saves, 1 Goal Allowed - After giving up an early goal, made 21 straight saves
In the last game with Los Angeles, Steve Ott suffered a broken ankle, sidelining Ott for eight weeks. During his last game of 2006, he was beat up in a scrap the the Kings Tom Koustpoulos and then had both Ott and his combatants weight landed on his right ankle. Thus, the next game he will play will be in 2007.
As a result, the often scratched Patrik Stefan will be inserted into the lineup, making a center swap on the 4th line. Stefan will give the line a little skill, yet will lose some toughness.
During Ott’s absence, Matt Barnaby will assume the duties as the main goon, without anyone to be a secondary helper in that department.
Bill Guerin: In his return to the American Airlines Center, Bill Guerin went pointless and spent the final minutes of the game in the penalty box.
Special Teams: Dallas wins the special teams battle 1-0, but it could have been much worse. St. Louis had two prime chances to equalize the game during a Stars two man advantage in the second period, yet failed to score. If the Stars give up a goal to tie the game or give the Blues the lead, the tone of this game would have completely changed……..
Pacific Division: Dallas inches closer to Anaheim, who will remain the Pacific Division leader after tonight’s action in the NHL. Yet, Dallas reduced the Ducks advantage to one point.
For the Ducks, their 9-0-3 record gives them 21 points. For the Stars, their 10-2-0 record gives them 20 points.
Note to the Stars, Start losing your games in OT so you can earn more points….
JG
