Anaheim Ducks 4, Dallas Stars 3

by Mark Stepneski of of Andrew's Stars Page

DALLAS — Just when it appeared the Dallas Stars were going to get back in the win the column, they gave up two goals in a 1:31 span of the third period and lost 4-3 to the Anaheim Ducks, pushing their season-long losing streak to four games.

"Its tough out there. Everybody is trying. We're going through a stretch where we can't find a way to win," said Stars defenseman Trevor Daley.

"It's getting extremely disappointing around here," Stars center Steve Ott said. "Our slogan today was find a way to win and we didn't do that."

The loss dropped the Stars to 1-4-0 in the first five games of their current homestand, which wraps up Sunday against Pittsburgh. They finished the month of February, during which they played 10 of 13 games at home, with a 6-7-0 record. The loss also pushed the Stars out of the top eight in the Western Conference standings.

"There are a lot of games left and we're right in the battle," said Stars center Mike Ribeiro, who had two goals and an assist. "We need everyone to push together at the same time and get points. You can't change was just happened the last few games, but you can control tomorrow."

Saturdays game saw the Stars fall behind 2-0 in the first, rally to tie with two goals in the second, take a lead early in the third and then eventually give up two quick goals that cost them points.

"It's more disappointment than frustration right now. You manage to come back, tie game then lose in the third period," said Ribeiro. "It's mental mistakes at the wrong times and teams are scoring when we make those mistakes."

In each of the last three games the Stars have been tied heading into the third period, but have ended up losing in regulation.

"We are in a hard battle for the playoffs and I don't care who is playing, we have to get the job done," said Stars coach Dave Tippett.

The Stars fell behind early when the Ducks scored on a three-on-two rush. Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer beat Stars goalie Marty Turco with a wide open shot from the slot 1:56 into the game on Anaheim's first shot of the contest.

The Ducks extended their lead with their first power play chance, which came after Daley took an instigator penalty. Chris Pronger's shot from the point bounced off traffic and past Turco 12:11 into the game to make it 2-0 Anaheim.

The Stars bounced back 1:23 into the second period, getting a power play goal from Mike Ribeiro, who scored off a rebound to make it a 2-1 game. At the 8:09 mark Ribeiro set up Matt Niskanen, whose blast from the left point tied the game at 2-2.

The Stars took the lead at 4:22 of the third when Ribeiro and Ott busted into the Anaheim zone on a two-on-one and Ribeiro scored off a nice feed from Ott to give the Stars their first lead of the game.

The Stars went on a power play but couldn't extend the lead. Ducks goalie J-S Giguere made a nice pad save on Jere Lehtinen, and nine seconds after the power play expired the Ducks tied the game. Corey Perry came out from behind the Dallas net and beat Turco with a spinning wraparound backhand shot.

"That's a goal that should never happen with your three-on-three coverage down low," said Tippett.

Just 1:31 later the Ducks had the lead when Stars forward James Neal lost the puck at his own blue line and Ducks forward Andrew Ebbett set up Teemu Selanne on a two-on-one to make it a 4-3 game.

"It was a poor decision on Neal's part, you can't toe drag five feet from the blue line," said Tippett. "That's a mistake by a young player."

"It's just a lousy turnover," Neal said. "It's tough plays like that one that we can't have."

The Stars had another power play chance but couldn't cash in. They pulled Turco for the extra attacker late in the game, but no luck.

The Ducks improved to 3-2-0 on their current road trip, which has one game left. They moved two points ahead of the Stars in the Western Conference standings, but have played three more games than Dallas.

"All the guys made contributions," said Ducks coach Randy Carlyle. "I don't think there was a guy on the team who didn't play his heart out."

As the game ended there was a major scrum. Giguere went after Ott and then Ducks forward Travis Moen jumped Ott and started throwing punches.

"It's tough when you get jumped and you have a busted hand but you're trying to defend yourself," said Ott, who is unable to fight because he is wearing a cast to protect his hand, which he broke earlier in the season.

Ott and Moen both picked up fighting majors, but Ott also received a match penalty, which means further discipline could be handed out in his case.