Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Dallas Stars 2, Phoenix Coyotes 1 (OT)

By Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

DALLAS — It wasn't a work of art, but it was two points and points are what the Dallas Stars need right now. Behind some stellar goaltending from Marty Turco and two goals from Loui Eriksson, including the game-winner 3:39 into overtime, the Stars beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center.

"It's not pretty right now, that's for sure," said Stars coach Dave Tippett. "Not pretty is where we are, but points are effective."

The talk from the Stars heading into this game was about starting to dig themselves out of the hole they've put themselves in so far this season. They climbed a little bit Tuesday night.

The win pushed the Stars' record to 12-14-4, moved them out of last place in the Western Conference for now and moved them to within four points of eighth place, which is now held by the Coyotes.

"Points are points and it's really about the little things the guys are doing so well lately," said Turco. "We were disciplined and every shift, we showed a lot of desperation."

Among those leading the way for the Stars was Turco, who stopped 22 of 23 shots on the night. Turco has now stopped 59 of 61 shots in his last two games.

"Marty was excellent tonight," said Tippett.

Tuesday's game was the fourth time in his last six starts that Turco has allowed just one goal in a game.

"I have an opportunity to make a big difference in the game every night and I want to provide the guys with a chance to win," said Turco. "It's about stopping pucks, communicating and taking pride in doing all the little things right."

Also coming up big this night was Eriksson, the team's leading goal scorer, who hadn't registered a point in his five previous game. But on this night he delivered both Dallas goals, giving him 14 for the season and matching his career high just 30 games into the season.

"It's no surprise," said Turco. "He's just got that knack around the net. I've been a huge fan of his ever since he first came over [from Sweden]."

His overtime game-winner was set by Ribeiro, who sent a pass from behind the net to the front of the goal and Eriksson hacked it past Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov from close range.

"Both my goals were in front of the net, and that's where you have to be to score goals," said Eriksson. "That's how you score all the goals, you have to get out there and someone will make a play for you."

Said Tippett: "Both goals were good goals. Right around the net and find a way to will it into the net. Those were ones that turned out to be very valuable tonight."

The Stars got off to a strong start Tuesday, outshooting the Coyotes 10-5 in the first period and getting a goal from Eriksson to take a 1-0 lead 3:15 into the game. Brad Richards helped set up the play by winning a race to a puck in the corner, chipping it behind the net to Chris Conner, who centered the puck to Eriksson, who beat a scrambling Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

Turco came up big in the second period, when the Coyotes stepped up the pressure and put 13 shots on net. Turco had several big stops including saves on Shane Doan, Derek Morris and Daniel Carcillo.

Phoenix tied the game on a Todd Fedoruk goal midway through the third period, which helped them get the point, push their points streak to four games (2-0-2) and move them into eighth place in the Western Conference with a 14-12-4 record.

"We didn't bury opportunities," said Doan, the Coyotes captain. "Give them credit. But we've got to find ways to win."

The Stars did find a way to win on this night and now they are hoping to build on it as they get ready to take on Columbus, another team they are chasing in the standings, Thursday night at the American Airlines Center.

"We need to take these two points and look ahead," said Ribeiro. "I think these teams coming up are teams that we can beat and teams that we should beat. These next games before Christmas are huge."

Pegasus News content partner - Andrew's Stars Page
Stars Stats, Schedule, Roster, and Blog

See more stories in:

• Hockey > NHL > Stars