Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Phoenix Coyotes 6, Dallas Stars 5 (OT)

By Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

The Dallas Stars rallied from two goals down late in the third period to force overtime Monday night, but they couldn't get the win. Petr Prucha's power play goal 53 seconds into overtime gave Phoenix a 6-5 victory at Jobing.com Arena and ran the Stars winless streak to seven games (0-5-2).

"I know we can't expect to give up six goals and expect to win," coach Dave Tippett said. "You are not going to win like that. Work ethic and desperation, goaltending…there are lots of factors. You can't give up that many chances and that many goals."

The Stars gave up six goals for the second straight game as they dropped to 4-12-3 in their last 19 games. The point they picked up in the game moved them to within seven points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they have only six games remaining on their schedule.

One again the Stars took an early lead in the game, but let their opponent back into it by taking a series of penalties and surrendering a power play goal. Adding to the misery on this night was that the game-winner in overtime came on the power play as well.

"Penalties put you behind the eight ball," Tippett said. "Those are the things you do to shoot yourself in the foot and we have enough holes in our feet already."

Tobias Stephan got his first start in goal since March 1 and only his fifth of the season for the Stars and allowed six goals on 33 shots.

"I was a little nervous," Stephan said. "I felt alright, but there is one little thing missing in my game. I feel like I'm getting in good position and that I'm really close, but we'll see what happens. I feel like I'm getting better and I'm hoping for another couple games to get a good feel."

Phoenix seemed to be in control of the game after Scottie Upshall scored from the top of the left circle off the rush with 8:02 left to put the Coyotes up 5-3, but the Stars rallied.

Chris Conner roofed a shot over Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov with 5:26 remaining to make it a 5-4 game. Then, with Stephan pulled for the extra attacker, Darryl Sydor's shot bounced off traffic and into the net with 58 seconds remaining to tie the game and force the extra period.

Stars defenseman Andrew Hutchinson was penalized was tripping at the 37 second mark and 16 seconds later Phoenix captain Shane Doan threaded a pass to Prucha, who scored from point blank range.

"It was a great play by Doaner," Prucha said. "He passed me to the open net and I had the easy job."

The Stars took the early lead when Brendan Morrison scored 2:04 into the game after taking a pass from Conner and scoring from the right circle. Phoenix tied it at 7:54 of the first when Scottie Upshall scored from close range on the Coyotes' second power play of the game. Even Lisin made it 2-1 Coyotes when he split the Dallas defense, had the puck knocked off his stick and had it elude Stephan.

After Hutchinson tied it with a shot from the point early in the second Doan scored off the rush and Lisin scored after a Dallas turn over to make it a 4-2 game. A Loui Eriksson power play goal made it a 4-3 game at 15:11 of the second period.

Notes: The Stars were missing nine players due to injury Monday. ... Defensemen Dan Jancevski and Garrett Stafford, who were called up Sunday, both played on Monday. Stafford picked up two assists. They were his first NHL points.

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