The Phoenix Coyotes continued their hot streak by closing out their six-game road trip with another win, as they downed the Dallas Stars, 5-2, on Tuesday night January the 9th at American Airlines Center. It was the seventh win in a row for Phoenix. Dallas was a step slow for much of the game and Phoenix played a solid 60 minutes to earn the win. "For whatever reason, we weren't emotionally engaged in the game and if you do that, you are going to be behind," said Stars Head Coach Dave Tippett. "You have to muster up something no matter what you're feeling.
A two-minute blitz by the Western Conference-leading Anaheim Ducks had the Dallas Stars wobbling. Teemu Selanne knocked them out. Selanne registered his 19th career hat trick -- including scoring two power-play goals -- and the Ducks scored three goals in a 2:10 span late in the second period to snap a tie and earn a 5-1 victory over the Stars on Thursday night January 11th at American Airlines Center. The news got even worse after the game when Stars coach Dave Tippett said defenseman Sergei Zubov will miss the next couple of weeks because of an upper body injury that is required surgery.
After perhaps their most difficult stretch of the season, the Stars got back on track with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in a special matinee matchup for Martin Luther King Day Monday at the American Airlines Center. The Stars snapped their three-game losing streak while continuing their season-long mastery of Los Angeles, winning their sixth game of the season against them. In the third game of a four-game homestand, Dallas rebounded from two of their most lopsided losses of the season with a convincing victory that was a complete team effort. "Those are valuable points right there," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "I thought our whole team stepped up. Our guys worked hard and I thought they brought that work ethic on the ice.
For Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars, seven turned out to be a lucky number. Turco made 18 saves and Jere Lehtinen scored twice to help the ####ed-up Stars hold on to defeat the Calgary Flames, 4-2, on a wintry Wednesday night at American Airlines Center on January 17th. Despite missing seven regulars, the Stars were able to help Turco garner his 160th career win, tying him with Ed Belfour for the most all-time victories in franchise history. Belfour originally set the mark when he toiled in Dallas from 1997-2002. The Stars beat Calgary for the sixth time in the last seven meetings in Dallas, and won two straight overall to open a five-point cushion over the Flames for sixth place in the Western Conference. They also finished their four-game homestand with a 2-2 mark.
Is it too early to talk about this? Is it politically correct? Who wants fifth? If your fifth you are going to have to play a tougher fourth seeded team in the first playoff round. If your sixth, you get an easier opponent, albeit the Northwest Division winner, even if it is a third seed.
It was only fitting that on Hockey Day in Minnesota, in the Dallas Stars' 1000th regular season game since moving from Minnesota in 1993, the Stars returned to their former home and defeated the hometown Wild 2-1 in a shootout Saturday night January 20th at the Excel Energy Center. In the final game before the NHL All-Stars converge on Dallas, goaltender Marty Turco made 25 saves and Stu Barnes scored the deciding goal in the longest shootout in club history to lead the injury-depleted Stars to their third straight triumph after three losses in a row last week. Turco, who has started 13 of the Stars' last 14 games, won his 161st career game, all with Dallas, to pass Ed Belfour as the franchise's all-time winningest goaltender. He made several key saves late in the third period with the score tied 1-1 and then denied seven Minnesota players in the shootout, including a diving poke-check to derail Pascal Dupuis' attempt in the ninth round to secure the victory. "What a great game to go into the break," said Turco, who was one of two Dallas representatives in Wednesday's All-Star Game.
I really wanted to go to this game. As it turned out I had an interview in Minneapolis on Friday morning before the game. But the hotel expense to go to that wouldn't allow me to stay another couple of nights to see the game. Oh well, they'll be back in Minnesota. Call me selfish, but that's one of the reasons i would like to see the Pittsburgh Penquins in Kansas City too. It would give me more opportunities to see my Stars.
There was an all-star game? On the 24th? Who knew? All I heard anyone talk about was fancy hi-tech uniforms.
In one of the most exciting regular season games ever played at the American Airlines Center, superstar Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to tie the game in the third period and defeat the Dallas Stars 4-3 in a shootout Friday night. In the Penguins' first visit to Dallas in almost four years, Crosby, the 19-year-old center who leads the NHL in scoring but failed to register a point in Wednesday night's All-Star Game here, earned two assists. And on a team loaded with young talent, it was veteran winger Mark Recchi who stole the spotlight with two goals, including the 500th of his career, which tied the game 3-3 with 8:01 remaining in the third period. Dallas had its three-game winning streak snapped, falling to 5-2 in the shootout this year and to 17-3 over the past two years since the new tie-breaking formula was introduced. "A lot of excitement," said Stars coach Dave Tippett of the game.
Seven shootouts. Excuse me for being a party ####. But what would happen if they played a five minute period of three on three hockey before going to the shootout? Wouldn't that be cool? If not, let me hear it. Am I stupid?
With a chance to make up some ground with three games against the two teams ahead of them in the Pacific Division, the Stars stumbled in the first test, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Anaheim Ducks Sunday afternoon at the Honda Center. In a nationally-televised game on NBC, the Stars lost for the first time in regulation in their last five games, and now trail the division-leading Ducks by 10 points. Dallas now faces San Jose, six points ahead in the standings, for two road straight games. Down two goals for most of the game, the Stars clawed their way back into the game to make it 2-1 on Jere Lehtinen's penalty shot goal midway through the third period. But Anaheim rebounded with two more goals in the next two and a half minutes to take a commanding 4-1 lead and put the game out of reach.
The Bulls had five players in double-figures and were led by 23 point effort by Kirk Hinrich as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 99 - 87 on Monday afternoon in Chicago.
Hinrich was in a shooting slump last week and also bothered by a recent groin injury. Known for his defense, he limited Spurs star Tony Parker to six points and two assists. "I have been feeling good the last few games. I kind of gotten back to myself, playing aggressive on both ends and I think my floor game has been a lot better," Hinrich said. "I have played a lot more loose. I think before I was kind of thinking too much, kind of worrying about what the coaches wanted me to do.
Kirk Hinrich also finished with seven assists.
Sometimes you have to overcome coaching. Oh ####, I just quoted Michael Vick, alias Ron Mexico.
Ben Gordon, who usually comes off the bench, started and added 20 points for Chicago.
The Bulls played without Chris Duhon and Ben Wallace. Duhon was suspended for one game for missing practice on Sunday and Wallace missed his second straight game because of a sore back. "I don't want to be short-handed, but we've been able to get away with it for a couple of games," Bulls Coach Scott Skiles said. "It's not something long-term I want to do. It gives other guys who are good NBA players an opportunity to play. You get to see other people and it helps me get a different perspective on some other guys."
Kirk Hinrich racked up 23 points.
The Bulls turned in a solid defensive effort even with center Wallace sitting out due to a sore back.
How and why did San Antonio let Chicago get away with this? Was it that fired up Martin Luther King Jr. Day crowd? While I respect the holiday for those who wish to celebrate it, I highly doubt it. I have never heard of it inspiring raucous crowds before.
No, no, no, San Antonio should have carried in there something akin to a Mardi Gras atmosphere and let the good times roll. I am not sure San Antonian's understand this holiday, but I know their cousins in Houston do. I bet the hispanics understand Carnival! If not, it's probable that the Argentinans could explain it. Duncan at least, should get it.
The Spurs shooting sucked on Monday afternoon in Chicago. The team combined to shoot only 34 of 86 (39%) in the game. Our high school coach would have reamed us for that.
Tim Duncan
"All in all, they just outplayed us," Spur Tim Duncan said. "They're a good defensive ballclub, very good at rotating."
No, no, no,no,no,no,no no Tim that's not good enough. What the heck were you doing?
Manu Ginobili dropped in 22 points and Duncan added 21 and 16 rebounds.
Tyrus Thomas and P.J. Brown block Ginobili's shot.
After the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked if Parker was hurt. "It would have made more sense if he was hurt. But he's fine, which is not the way he played, if you catch my drift," Popovich said. Parker struggled offensively. He finished with six points and two assists in 27 minutes.
Chicago extended its lead with consecutive threes from Andres Nocioni and Thabo Sefolosha to give them a 83-69 early in the fourth quarter.
Robert Horry had a highlight dunk over reserve Nocioni late in the third quarter. But Nocioni paid it back with a half hook with 16 seconds left in the quarter that gave the Bulls a 74-64 lead.
Gordon gave the Bulls a 42-32 lead with consecutive jumpers and Chicago led 52-45 at the half.
The Bulls outscored the Spurs 31-21 in the second quarter to grab a 52-45 halftime lead. The Bulls went on a 13-3 scoring run when Seflosha hit a jumper and Gordon followed with a three. Chicago went on to take the lead for good.
The Spurs finished the first quarter with a 24-21 lead.
Robert Horry came off the bench against the Bulls.
Fabricio Oberto started at the center/forward spot next to Duncan. This was Oberto's 24th start of the season.
The Spurs faced having to adjust the rotation of their front line with both Francisco Elson and Matt Bonner out with injuries.
The Spurs had a different look in the United Center. The Bulls opted to wear their red and black uniforms, so San Antonio was decked out in their home white.
The Bulls beat the Spurs at home for the first time since Dec. 28, 2000. Before Monday, Chicago had lost five straight at home to the Spurs. The Spurs had a four-game winning streak snapped.
Before the game the Spurs had a better road (13-5) than home record (14-6) but their Monday loss shifted the balance back to the A####mp;T Center.
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Kirk Hinrich also finished with seven assists.
Kirk Hinrich racked up 23 points.
Tim Duncan
