Mike Modano Powers Stars To Big 3-2 Win Over Avalanche

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:07 PM CST in Dallas Stars Game Recaps

Is there a way that the Dallas Stars can play every game at home from here on out?

Mike Modano scored twice, including the game-winning goal in the third period, to power the Dallas Stars past the Colorado Avalanche in an exciting Friday night game at the AAC. The Avs had dominated the Stars in two games in Denver, but tonight Dallas showed that grit, determination and a relentless forecheck are the perfect counter for youth and speed. The Stars had some lucky bounces go their way - Paul Stastny missed a wide open tip in in the third period - but Alex Auld was solid once again as the Stars buckled down with some solid team-oriented hockey.

Two big stories of the night: First, Mike Modano proved once again that he still has the speed and the scoring touch, with two big goals that don't even begin to show how good he was tonight. Yet as good as Modano was, the combination of Jamie Benn, Steve Ott and Brenden Morrow were even better.

The combination of Ott and Morrow took over this game starting late in the second, with some big scoring chances and even bigger hits, ramping up the energy level in the building and starting a trend for a powerful forecheck that proved too much for Colorado at times. It was a great game for the team's captain, which we haven't seen much this season.

It was another big win for Alex Auld and the Stars, as this team is finally getting consistent goaltending. It's not perfect and it's not flashy, but the consistency and solidarity in goal the past few weeks seemed to have worked wonders for the Stars.

Dallas now sits two points behind Detroit for 8th place in the West, and are mired in a big group of middle-of-the-road teams. But if this team can grab the momentum and actually get some road wins, then perhaps this season won't be as disappointing as it seemed just three weeks ago.

Don't forget! Game highlights are up on the right sidebar video player!

More to come.

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How times change

It’s funny how not too long ago we were complaining about the Stars only winning on the road and not in front of their home fans. Seems like a distant memory now.

Golf Leafs Golf!

by accharbs on Jan 29, 2010 10:12 PM CST reply actions

Auld is getting it done for the most part.

I still don’t see him as a #1, But then again Turco hasn’t looked like a #1 either, lately.

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 29, 2010 10:15 PM CST reply actions

What else do you want him to do?

He’s 6-0-1 at home in his last 7 starts in Dallas. And he has kept Dallas in games with steady play in net for the most part. He’s developing more and more confidence each game he plays. He’s nails in shootouts. And he’s a physical presence in net. He’s a number 1 in my book.

by 5PointPuckism on Jan 30, 2010 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

Ahhhhh

Morrow, Ott, Modano all playing well. It feels right.

"They’ve taken the Illini to the woodshed."
-Steve Lavin on Mizzou v. Illinois

by Jason Brynsvold on Jan 29, 2010 10:17 PM CST reply actions

That Morrow, Ott and Benn line is really something special.

If Benn turns into the next great center for the Stars…then wow. Just wow.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:24 PM CST up reply actions

Benn has such raw talent to work with.

Loving the opportunity to watch him develop as a player.

"Blind faith will lead you to the promised land...trust us." Texas Tech Administrators and Board of Regents (not a direct quote but it smells about right)

by Damien Franco on Jan 29, 2010 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

I have to admit that a few weeks ago I was already looking towards next season.

My how things can change so quickly.

We’re in the hunt for a playoff spot and I’m getting more and more hopeful with every win.

"Blind faith will lead you to the promised land...trust us." Texas Tech Administrators and Board of Regents (not a direct quote but it smells about right)

by Damien Franco on Jan 29, 2010 10:24 PM CST reply actions

It helps that the teams ahead of the Stars are stumbling a bit.

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 29, 2010 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

EXACTLY.

This four-game homestand came at the perfect time.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:28 PM CST up reply actions

we have a 6 game one after the olympic break

that will be awesome

"They’ve taken the Illini to the woodshed."
-Steve Lavin on Mizzou v. Illinois

by Jason Brynsvold on Jan 29, 2010 10:30 PM CST up reply actions

If the Stars are playing meaningful hockey in March.

Then this season is a success. No. Matter. What.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:30 PM CST up reply actions

Yes.

March always seems to be an issue for them.

Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa

I'm a girl. The screen name can be misleading, I understand.

by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Jan 30, 2010 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

I fear the Coyotes

The Stars have had problems with them for a while now, it’s not just Tippett. I blame it all on Anaheim and Bryzgalov. That was a dark day for the Stars.

Still, if they can get that one… talk about some confidence…

by Brad Gardner on Jan 29, 2010 10:31 PM CST reply actions

I hope the Crowd at the AAC on Sunday give a good welcome to Tippett on his return.

At the same time I hope the Stars aren’t as accommodating to his new team on the ice.

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 29, 2010 10:34 PM CST up reply actions

I know it will never end, but I'm still amazed by the Steve Ott hatred.

oh, and I fucking hate Steve Ott

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 29, 2010 11:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He was a massive wuss not fighting Foote.

Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19

by InYoFace on Jan 29, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To be fair though, the Avs guys were praising Modano tonight.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:35 PM CST reply actions

That's a bit strong.

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 29, 2010 10:36 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah...

I’m just…..I’ll never get over it. He can’t really be that bad. He’s not Pronger.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:38 PM CST up reply actions

eh.

Too each their own. You guys probably hated Ian Laperriere when he was on the Avs while we loved him. And no, he’s not nearly as bad as Captain Elbows Pronger.

Overall good game. Not the outcome I would like but exciting nonetheless.

Hopefully #9 is not ten less than #19

by InYoFace on Jan 29, 2010 10:58 PM CST up reply actions

It's all good.

He’s doing his job. And yeah, it was a good game. And no, we didn’t care much for Laperriere.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 11:10 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

It's all good.

He’s doing his job. And yeah, it was a good game. And no, we didn’t care much for Laperriere.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 11:10 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

To be fair

I’d probably hate Ott if he played for a team other than my favorites

That having been said, the Stars had just taken the lead when Brenden Morrow nailed an Av on the forecheck. I don’t recall who it is, but it was a legal hit.

And the Avs, like every other hockey team these days, got butt hurt over it for no reason. We are playing full contact hockey here, no?

Secondly, since when is it incumbent on Ott to fight everybody who wants to engage him? Again, the Stars had just taken the lead when all this went down. He fights Foote and loses, then all the momentum in a see saw affair goes right over to Colorado.

In other words, he had nothing to gain from the fight. And he probably doesn’t give a damn that opposing fans don’t like him. If they did, he’s probably not doing his job.

Defending Big D Free to use and easy to join, as well as easy to use and free to join!
TheStarsFans Because a knee-jerking city needs a little common sense
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by Brandon Bibb on Jan 30, 2010 7:39 AM CST up reply actions

every time a Colorado fan complains about someone not fighting

I think of Claude Lemieux and his massive turtle incident with the Red Wings. Talk about being a “massive wuss.”

I must have this thing for hockey boys from Whitby with the initials JN.

by Happy Girl on Jan 30, 2010 7:41 AM CST up reply actions

Well

It’s more a case of timing more than anything else.

Ott would have had nothing to gain in a fight there. And Foote wouldn’t have either. That’s why he dropped his equipment but never actually engaged Ott in a fight.

Instead, he smartly skated back to his own bench.

by Brandon Bibb on Jan 30, 2010 7:45 AM CST up reply actions

I didn't see the Ott incident last night

but I just find it hypocritical. then again, as I always say, if the other teams fans hate us, then we’re doing something right!

I must have this thing for hockey boys from Whitby with the initials JN.

by Happy Girl on Jan 30, 2010 8:02 AM CST up reply actions

From Twitter:

@bobanddan

Modano tied Gretzky for 13th all time in game winning goals with his 191st tonight

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 29, 2010 10:43 PM CST reply actions

I don't know what's more amazing.

That Modano is that high or that Gretzky is that low.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jan 29, 2010 10:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Update:

@bobanddan

Ok, the stat was wrong. 91 gwgoals not 191. Still tied for 13 alltime with Gretzky.

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 29, 2010 10:58 PM CST up reply actions

Mike truely is….“The Greatest American(USA) Born Player of All Time”….GO MIKE!!!

by k9mike on Jan 29, 2010 11:17 PM CST reply actions

Stat

Dallas is second only to Washington in # of players with 10 or more goals with 9.

by modano9 on Jan 30, 2010 12:07 AM CST reply actions

MODANO

Burke made a big mistake by not picking up Modano!!! He’ll always have that skill!!!

by starsfan84 on Jan 30, 2010 1:26 AM CST reply actions

I am going to bed before all Stars 3rd periods

they keep winning when I don’t watch the last 20 (or so) minutes. TGIHG

I must have this thing for hockey boys from Whitby with the initials JN.

by Happy Girl on Jan 30, 2010 7:31 AM CST reply actions

You can stay up to watch, They're just playing better. :p

Gotta have hockey!
@ zubov56 on twitter

by terig on Jan 30, 2010 7:37 AM CST up reply actions

Great game, great effort

Would you guys agree with me insaying that that was one of their best games this season? They looked really good last night, especially JB and Mo. If they play like that tomorrow, they just might be able to beat Bryzgalov for a change.

Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa

I'm a girl. The screen name can be misleading, I understand.

by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Jan 30, 2010 10:28 AM CST reply actions

Just watch the highlights, and here are my thoughts...

(remember, these are just from the highlights, so let me know if I’m wrong haha)

- Mikey Mo is in a groove lately, huh? It’s nights like last night that make me appreciate the time we have left watching him in a Stars uni. He played with grit, energy, and a smirk on his face last night. Just how we like him.
- Brunnstrom, from what I can see, played well. Well, at least on that second Mo goal.
- Otter played on fire..
- Auld impressed me once again. Maybe we should really consider going the Montreal route, playing with a tandem at goalie. Turco played well in his last stretch of starts, and so has Auld. Maybe a goalie tandem is our best chance at making the playoffs?
- Didn’t see much of niskanen in the highlights, so if there was reason to yell at him, please let me know!
- Guess what? We’re not in last in the Pacific!
- And…3 points out of 8th place. 5 of the next 7 at home. THERE’S STILL TIME!!

"It would've been a huge momentum boost if we had beaten the St. Mary's School for the Blessed, Blind, Deaf and Dumb."

Hockey nut since the night of 5/2/08. What a night it was.

by Pat Iversen on Jan 30, 2010 11:02 AM CST reply actions

Nisky was solid

Other than some more puck fumbling on the power play.

Watch out for the infamous "Two Minute" Turco

by RealDealNeal on Jan 30, 2010 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

Niksy actually played well

Razor pointed out that he, along with other members of the blue line, had some really nice outlet passes to defeat the Avs’ forecheck and allow the Stars to transition back the other way.

by Brandon Bibb on Jan 30, 2010 11:09 AM CST up reply actions