Stars win in a shootout, Defeat Anaheim 2-1
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by user UNT66
On Friday Night at American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars defeated the Anaheim Ducks 2-1. With the win, the Stars secured the 6th seed in the Western Conference Standings. Also, they kept Anaheim from winning the Division on the Stars ice.
Yet, this game looked like a coronation for the visiting Ducks, as they were seconds away from clinching their first Pacific Division Title in Franchise History.
With the game scoreless until late into the second period, Ducks forward Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of the game, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead that would nearly carry over through the end of regulation.
Yet, the Stars pulled the goaltender late and used that advantage to position their captain. Stars forward Brenden Morrow skated close to the net and his deflection of a shot into the Ducks net led to the Game-Tying Goal with seven seconds left in regulation.
After a scoreless overtime period, Stars forward Ladislav Nagy scored the only goal of the shootout, helping the Stars finish off the Ducks 2-1.
For Anaheim, they picked up a point in the standings, meaning that they will only need a OT or shootout loss to secure the Pacific division in the next game on Saturday Night at Columbus.
For Dallas, it was another close victory against a team that they might face in the playoffs.
Notes:
Morrow heating up at right time:
In his last 10 games, Brenden Morrow has been the most consistent of all of the Dallas Stars, recording 10 points in those 10 games (5-5-10) including scoring a game tying goal that seemed to be one of those goals that this will need once the playoffs start on Thursday
Power Play Disappoints:
The Stars had a 5-3 power play in the second period for more then a minute, but failed to score on the man advantage.
After Anaheim killed of the 5-3 and 5-4 power play, they used that momentum to score their only goal of the contest.
Playoffs....
The Stars will start on the road and look to play either Vancouver, Minnesota or Nashville. Only after Sunday's game will the final pairing for the 1st round be determined as the final couple of days will dictate a few matchups in the West, not just the Stars 1st round opponent.
One More Game:
I hope All Stars fans get a good night's sleep on Saturday Night, as the season finale will occur on Easter starting at High Noon. With the Blackhawks, the game will not seem that important to the Stars as the only question will be their opponent once the playoffs starts on Wednesday or Thursday.
As for Chicago, their season was over in November.....
JG
