For the 5th straight year, the defending Stanley Cup Champions do not advance past the first round. Also, for the first time since 2003, the Dallas Stars were able to win a first round series. Although Marty Turco has always played excellent, the team was finally able to break through this year. Although I predicted the Ducks to take this series in 5 games, I am not the least bit saddened with my horrible prediction.Right away into game 1, it was clear that the Ducks wanted to establish their physical presence, and take a lot of penalties. Dallas, however, would have none of it. Steve Ott and Loui Eriksson scored in the first period (both on the power play) to give Dallas a 2-0 lead. Then, just 3:58 into the second period, Jere Lehtinen also scored on the power play to go up 3-0. Still, the Ducks didn’t learn. They took more penalties and the Stars added yet another power play goal, their fourth of the game. Marty Turco earned the shutout and the Stars stole the first game 4-0.
In game 2, it was Dallas again jumping off to a hot start. Mike Ribeiro scored unassisted 6:28 into the first period. Lehtinen added his second power play goal of the series 1:28 into the second period. But Anaheim ended its streak of being shutout two minutes later with a power play goal from Teemu Selanne. Travis Moen scored later in the second period to tie the game up for the Ducks. Heading into the third, it was 2-2, but didn’t stay that way long. Mike Modano scored a power play goal 5:47 into the period, and Brad Richards put one into the back of the net 55 seconds later. Dallas added one more goal to win 5-2 and steal two games on the road in Anaheim.
In Dallas for game 3, it was the Ducks that bonded together and came out on fire. At the end of the first period, they had scored three goals. One from Todd Marchant, one from Ryan Getzlaf and another from Chris Pronger. Pronger added his second goal 5:34 into the second period to give the Ducks a 4-0 lead. The goal was his third point of the game as he had assited on Marchant's goal. Brendan Morrow would add two power play goals for the Stars later in the third, but it was all Dallas could muster. 4-2 Ducks.
Unhappy with losing the previous game at home, Dallas rebounded and took control of the series by winning game 4. Joel Lunqvist scored 16:39 into the first period to go up 1-0. Although there were 12 separate penalties in the second period, neither team would convert on their power plays. Stu Barnes scored midway through the third period followed by Steve Ott later on to put Dallas up 3-0. Turco has his shutout rudely ruined by Mathieu Schneider with 8 seconds remaining in the game, but Dallas won 3-1 to take a 3-1 series lead.
.jpg)
Back in Anaheim for game 5, the Ducks treated the fans well as Corey Perry scored a goal in his first game of the series. The Stars were able to tie the game up before the end of the first period with a goal by Mattias Norstrom, but the Ducks came back to take a 3-1 lead. Ribeiro made it interesting for Dallas 4:41 into the third period, but once again, the Ducks responded with two goals of their own. O’Donnell and Marchant put the Ducks up 5-2 where they would win and cut the series deficit to 3-2.
In game 6, Corey Perry scored his second goal in two games to give Anaheim the much-needed 1-0 lead. JS Giguere was given an assist on the goal, adding to the good game he was already playing. The only downfall for Anaheim was that they only had 9 shots on net through two periods. And whatever was said to Dallas in the second intermission, or however many Wheaties they ate, it worked. The Stars came out absolutely flying around the ice. Stephane Robidas scored his first ever playoff goal 1:18 into the third period, and only one minute and two seconds later, Stu Barnes banged home a one timer from Robidas to put Dallas up 2-1. As time ran down in the third, a costly turnover at center by the Ducks led to an odd man rush that turned into a breakaway goal for Loui Eriksson. Mike Modano scored an empty netter with 5 seconds left to give the Stars a 4-1 win and the series 4-2.
I think this smile says it all.
I would be fine if the Avs smoked Dallas-------the Kings have their number one pick for this year's draft; however, I wouldn't count them out if I were you.
more
