11/4/09 Stars Earn Another Loser Point aka “We Got Pittsburgh-ed and I’m PO’ed”

The Stars deserved to win that game last night.  They played hard, and it was their best game this season.  I’ll admit that the Flames played well, too, but the Stars were just a bit better.  Shame it had to end with the Stars being Pittsburgh-ed, don’t you think?

What we watched last night was playoff hockey, right down to needing the extra minutes.  Both teams played with intensity, passion, and heart.  Dallas more so than Calgary most of the time.

In the first period, the Stars weren’t great, but they were steady.  What really irks me about those first 20 minutes is that they failed to do anything with the power play or that lengthy 5-on-3.  I was disappointed in that, but I was happy that they hadn’t blown the game or anything.

When Iginla scored in the second, I was angry at Niskanen or Daley, whichever bungled that play that led to the three-on-one.  You can’t let Jarome Iginla of all people have the puck with that much space.  I’m not going to dwell on Morrow’s missed penalty shot, because I don’t blame him for anything; he’s not a shootout specialist.  It’s fine that he didn’t score.  I didn’t really expect him to. 

The third period was great- except that last 1:25.  James Neal has a new nickname: Big Deal Neal, and there’s talk that he’ll be invited to play for Team Canada in the Olympics.  Loui’s goal was great, but B-Rad’s pass was slick.  I’m pretty sure he intended for that tip to happen.  With two minutes left, I thought the game was in the bag.  But then the Stars were scrambling in their own zone, couldn’t get it out, and just like that, the game was tied.

When OT came, I kind of gave up since it’s not exactly one of the team’s strengths.  Then, that stupid, stupid, STUPID call happened.  It was horrible.  I mean, there were two officials RIGHT THERE who easily saw that it wasn’t delay of game.  But we all know what happened there.

Great game, bad end.

I’m so angry at Calgary right now, that I’m secretly hoping that “He” and his team will beat the Flames on Saturday.  I sure hope you know who I’m talking about.

Next up is Friday against Vancouver.

Go Stars!

My New Word: “Pittsburgh-ed”

Last night’s unfair end made me think of one thing: the Pittsburgh Penguins.  You know why?

Because the Pens don’t get called for even half of the penalties they take, and they’re constantly awarded free power plays and breaks.  Remember during the Stanley Cup finals when the Pens had SEVEN guys on the ice for 25 seconds, and then the refs yelled at them to get some guys off?

Pittsburgh is Gary Bettman’s favorite, all because of his boy, Sid.  Canada is the same way, but not as extreme as Pittsburgh.

“Pittsburgh-ed”- When a team is cheated or wrongly called on a play, seemingly because the refs want the opposing team to win, a team has been Pittsburgh-ed.

ex. Pittsburgh, Canada, and that’s really all there is…

Game review up later.

Evaluating October

As badly as the Stars have played in recent games, everything’s just fine.  They got the fast start they wanted, tallying at least one point in 11 of 14 games.  They currently sit in a playoff spot.

This is different than last year.  Last season was just…bad.  Nothing was working, the team wasn’t motivated and to top it all off, we had to deal with “Him.”  Last season, the Stars couldn’t put together back-to-back wins until December.  They’ve gotten back-to-back wins once, but they’ve had back-to-back games where they tallied at least one point.

If it makes you feel any better, my dad (a Stars fan since the very beginning) told me that in 98-99 when the Stars won the Cup, they were bad on Friday nights.  That seems to be the trend this year.  Is it a coincidence or a sign that something good will happen?

Mo and Lehts will be back soon to give the kids some stability.  I think that if Modano had played last night, things would have gone differently.

The only problems I see with the Stars right now is failure to win on home ice consistently and the shootout.  For the SO, I say keep Neal, but go with Morrow and Otter.  I mean, it can’t hurt to try something new when things aren’t working.  Or throw a lineup of Skrastins-Robidas-Barch out there.  Whatever will get the job done.

My point is, is that things are different this year.  The Stars got the fast start they wanted and that’s what counts.

Last Season: 4-5-2 10 points

This Season: 6-3-5 17 points

Ponder that.

Go Stars!

10/30-31/09 Stars Get One Measly Point in a Back-to-Back aka “The Dallas Stars Horror Show”

I just want to ask one question.  What the HELL is wrong with the Stars?

Just a week ago, they were awesome, and I had all the confidence in the world for them.  Now, they’ve gotten three points in the last three games.  Three points they don’t really deserve.  I’m not saying the comebacks weren’t awesome; they were.  It’s just that they keep miraculously digging themselves out of holes.  I love that they can do that, but I don’t like that they have to.

For now, I’m gonna give excuses for the slow play.  With Toronto it was the dreaded home curse they’ve had lately; ditto with Florida.  Also, they didn’t have Steve Ott for either of those games.  Plus, Florida has their number.  Whenever the Panthers play the Stars, it’s like they turn into Detroit or something.  Last night, I blame fatigue and HORRIBLE refs. 

But out of all this mess, there are a few players who have been consistent in my eyes.  First, or course, is James “Real Deal” Neal.  He’s been amazing this season.  Like Razor said, “The real deal is a big deal.”  Well said, Razor.  Second is B-Rad, who has positivelt thrived in this new system.  I don’t think he’s had a bad game yet.  Third is Tom Wandell.  Wandell is so quick and speedy, and you can tell he’s fighting for his roster spot.  He was one of  the few who actually played well last night.

But the entire team minus the fourth-liners looked tired last night.  For the Neal-B-Rad-Loui line, being awesome all the time eventually took its toll on our top line.  Having that much awesome on one line should be a crime, but thank gawd it isn’t.

The Stars have some days off until they play Calgary on Wednesday.  Hopefully they utilize the rest and get their awesome back.

Go Stars!

B-Rad the Big Brother

Today, I was reading on ESPN Dallas, and I found this article by Richard Durrett.  In it, he talks about how Brad Richards is acting big brother to James Neal.  I knew they lived together, but I never realized that Neal was, like, Vinny’s replacement.  It seems as though he’s B-Rad’s new BFF.

Apparently, the two are “inseparable, on and off the ice.”  How sweet.   It’s funny, though, because last season, I decided that Neal was my second-favorite Star to B-Rad.  When I first found out they were living together, I thought it was a bit ironic. 

Like B-Rad took advice from Marty St. Louis in Tampa, Baby James is taking advice from B-Rad.  I think it’s pretty awesome

Link to the article is here.

10/28/09 Stars Beat the Leafs in OT aka “In Your Stupid Face, Jonas Gustavsson”

I just wanted to say that I love that we beat Gustavsson.  If we hadn’t…well, I probably would never live it down.  But it doesn’t matter anymore now, does it?

Both teams were sluggish, especially the Stars.  They never really got into the game until the final few minutes and into OT.  They really shouldn’t have won, but it really shows their character since they fought and won it.  It was a good win and I hope the momentum carries into the next game.

Because the only two who really played decent were B-Rad and Nealer.  And at times Turco.  Morrow didn’t have a very good game, unfortunaltely, and neither did Jamie Benn until Ribs tipped his shot.  Let’s play better tonight boys!!

BTW, does this game solidify the fact the James Neal owns the Maple Leafs?  I think yes.  First a hat trick, then an OT goal…what’s next?

3 Stars of the Game:

1. James Neal

2. Brad Richards

3. Nikolai Kulemin

Tonight we face the atrociously bad Florida Panthers.

Go Stars!

Otter Suspended

He got two games, which I guess you can say is fair.  I thought he had a good chance of getting four-plus.  I’m still disgusted that Scuderi only got a fine for his low hit, and that Mike Richards got NOTHING, when that hit was way too late and poor David Booth is having bad headaches.

That’s the news.

In other news, did you watch the Leafs-Ducks game last night?  Nik Hagman, former Star extraordinaire got a hat trick and the Leafs crushed the Sucks.  That certainly improved my day.

And now, if the Stars lose tomorrow, it won’t be as bad.  See, they’ll only be the second team to lose to Toronto, not the first.

But still.  I’ll miss you, Steve Ott.

Pray For Steve Ott

Pray that he doesn’t get suspended tomorrow.  He has a teleconference with Colin Campbell tomorrow, and who knows how it’ll go?  Unfortunaltely conferences of any sort usually result in suspension.

Like I said earlier, we can’t afford to lose Otter.  Toronto’s full of thugs and we need an agitator.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t see how Ott won’t be suspended.  Remember how he was wrongfully suspended for that eye gouge on Travis Moen last year?  Yeah, that’s what we’re up against.  One word: Reputation.

I don’t see how this will end well…

For a laugh, head on over to St. Louis’ SB nation blog, St. Louis Game Time.  You shoudl find some game threads with Ott-haters and Stars-haters alike.  Post a comment to piss ‘em off.  Let’s rally, Stars fans!

10/24/09 Stars Beat the Blues 4-1 aka “The One With B-Rad’s awesome Spin-Around Pass”

First of all, let me say that B-Rad’s assist on Loui’s goal was freaking amazing.  That pass was Zubovian.  Poor Patrick Berglund got dizzy and fell…and I laughed.

Now, I have to ask you all this:  Remember that preseason game where we got crushed by the Blues 5-0?

There was no sign whatsoever of those awful Stars.  Instead, we got the more recent, “Stars-who-rock-on-the-road.”  It was just a great, great game.

And, yeah, some things did get kinda lucky.  I mean, when I found out about T.J. Oshie’s appendectomy, I jumped for joy (no offense, T.J.  Get well soon).  And then there was the fact that the Blues were on the second night of a back-to-back.  But, still.  That was an excellent Stars team out there.  The penalty kill improved some more, going 5-for-5.  The PP, well, not so much.  But I’d take a strong PK over a weak PP.  I think most people would, too.

About Steve Ott, I’m worried for the guy.  There’s a very good chance he’ll get suspended because he’s Steve Ott, the one and only.  Except, we kind of, like, need him against Toronto’s thugs.  Or, we could always rely on Toronto’s succulence.  Like my word?  Anyhoo, it’s a long time until Wednesday, and you never know what’ll happen.

Speaking of painful-looking hits, I think that Mike Richards should have been suspended.  That hit was waaaaaay late, and poor David Booth was unconscious and not moving.  Sure, Mike’s a superstar, but still.  Look at Tuomo Ruutu.  He’s never been suspended until now.  The league’s discipline disgusts me.

Anyway, next up is Toronto.  Please beat them, Stars.  Please beat Jonas Gustavsson.  And I reeeeeaaaaallly don’t want us to be the first team to lose to the Leafs. 

Go Stars!

“No Goal” Will Never Go Away

When I wandered around The Hockey News, I found an article by Jason Kay, where he recounted the top 20 events that had happened since he’d been working at THN.  I thought it’d be one of those nice little reminiscent pieces where he recounted his favorite moments.

To be honest, I didn’t expect “No Goal” to be on there.  I mean, it’s a goal that’s looked back on in shame for a lot of people.  And, it came from the Dallas Stars, who they don’t really say much about up in Canada.

I smiled at times while reading the list (mainly, “The Goal” by Alex Ovechkin, which never ceases to amze me; it was ranked at #14), then there were times when I just wanted to cry for being forced to remember something I didn’t want to remember (pretty much only the Dany Heatley/Dan Snyder crash at #6).

So, you can imagine my surprise when I saw “No Goal” at number two, only behind Mario Lemiex’s return after cancer treatment.  I guess that prt of me expected it to be on the list, just way down low on it.  But, no.  It’s number 2.

Here’s what Jason Kay had to say about “No Goal”:

2. No goal, June 19, 1999. High drama. High controversy. High embarrassment. On the bright side, Brett Hull’s triple overtime Stanley Cup-winner over Buffalo helped drive a dagger through the heart of an ill-conceived rule.

It’s amazing how it will never, ever go away isn’t it?

The rest of the list is here.