Dallas Stars disappoint me...again.

So, I didn't make the time to post anything about the Stars vs Blues series. I was busy but I also didn't want to jinx them. Well, I should have known better that they would fuck it up themselves.

Yeah, yeah...everyone is saying, "Thank you for the great season." "Thank you, Stars"

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Screw that! They could've won. They should've won.

Bishop had some great goal tending. However, there were two games that the Stars could have won if it were not for Bishop's lackluster play OR him knocking the puck into his own net even when the puck was going well wide of it.

I'm not blaming everything on Bishop. There were veteran players (Benn?) who didn't seem to have the tenacity or effort level equal to those making less money or in their rookie season.

Yeah, I'm bitter. I could go on and on. I guess we could call it a 'good enough' season. However, it could have and should have been a better season!

Did I mention I'm bitter?

2019 NHL Playoffs: Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators Game 6

I missed posting and watching game 5 because I had prior personal commitments but the Stars took game 5 with a score of 5 — 3.

It's now time for game 6 of the first round Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators series. I'm still anxious about them teasing me but I will watch the game. How can I not?

GO STARS!
UPDATE: Stars win 2 — 1 in the first overtime period. Stars win the series 4 — 2.

2019 NHL Playoffs: Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators Game 4

It's game 4 of the first round series between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators. While I'm a long, long term Stars fan, I sure hope they don't make me wish I stopped watching after game 3. I'm easily frustrated and distracted when they don't hear me 'coaching' them from my couch!

GO STARS!

UPDATE: Stars win 5 — 1. Series tied 2 — 2.

2014 NHL Playoffs

The playoff brackets have been set for the pursuit of Lord Stanley's Cup. I haven't been able to watch a lot of hockey this season. Even a bunch of the Stars games have been missed. Mainly for two reasons: (1) I'm not that into the Stars this season. They've been pretty miserable the past few seasons or so and they just haven't given me a lot of reasons to religiously watch them when there are so many other good entertainment options available on TV and (2) When I moved to my new home, I switched from DirecTV Total Plus to AT&T Uverse U300. U300 does not have the NHL channel for some reason. So, I can only get my hockey games for the Stars and/or the ones that are broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2.

Anyway, the Dallas Stars have made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. I'm glad for them. I'll probably...definitely...watch their playoff games. I've followed them since their inception into Dallas back in 1993.

There are a lot of new, young faces on the team. There are a lot of new frustrations I have now when I watch them play. I'm too old to give this much shit about it.

Anyway, here's a screen grab of the playoff bracket in case anyone wants to see it immediately.

 

∞
That's all I got to say about that!
 

Jere Lehtinen retires from the NHL

Jere Lehtinen is a class act. He will always be one of my favorite Dallas Stars players.

What secured my thought in knowing he is such a great person and player is when he said,

"I choose to focus on all the great times I had playing over the past 15 seasons, understanding that I am very fortunate to have played all those years with one organization. The memories I have playing in Dallas will never be forgotten and I will always be proud of the fact that I finished my career where I started it."

That's something that many athletes of any sport like Mike Modano going to Detroit and Emmitt Smith going to Arizona cannot say. I get they want to play and feel they can play but in reality it never works out like that. Instead of going out as the champions they are(were) they gave it up for the money (in my opinion).

Anyway, I'll miss seeing Lehtinen (as I already have this season) on the Stars but what a classy way to bow out of a sport he loves.

Link to story here while it lasts.

(pictured courtesy of SI.com)

Mike Modano's final season?

They had a great graphic on the Dallas Stars web page today in honor of Mike Modano. Pretty fucking awesome!

I remember when the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas. It was some great times for me, my friends and family. Those were the days of the $8 nose bleed seats in Reunion Arena. I took eight people to watch a game for the price of what one ticket cost nowadays. Good times.

I just finished watching tonight's Stars versus Ducks game. It was a pretty good albeit meaningless for post-season play game. Modano had a fire to him that I hadn't seen in at least a year or two. Flashes of the greatness was grand to see once again if just for a brief moment.

It was a good win and the courtesy and appreciation by the fans and the opponents was what Modano, and Lehtinen, brought to the game.

I must have missed the official announcement but happy retiring Mo. If Lehtinen doesn't resign with the Stars, happy trails Letty. As far as Turco, no disrespect but goodbye and good riddance.

It's weird but I feel like a friend is moving, leaving or died. Weird!

Dallas Stars versus Washington Capitals

Hopefully the Dallas Stars will kick it into gear tonight against the Washington Capitals. I doubt it though. The Capitals have the current overall points lead right now and Dallas has given up 17 goals while only scoring 5 in their last three games since the Olympic break. That's a huge skid! It's sad. They have so much potential but the skill just isn't quite there yet.

And the skill that is there isn't being fully used. Modano is still a great player but it looks like he's taking this season in stride and not pushing himself too hard. He still has mad puck-handling skills and break-away speed. It just seems like he's riding the finality of his career and is happy with just going through the motions. I can feel for him and see his side but come on man, go out like a champ!

Then there is Ribeiro. He had a really good, fanciful season a few ago. People have his number now. He hasn't reinvented himself nor does he have the overall grit, moves, style and skill to do so like an Ovechkin and Crosby or Jagr and Forsberg of all. He likes to hog the puck too much and too long in my opinion. Defenders are not chasing him like they used to because they know he's not going to pass or he's not got that new, fancy shot. I guess I've never liked him too much because I thought he was too much of a showboat. He had that one season where we became aware of him after a few seasons of "who is this guy" but now he's been back to so-so. It happens but this is a team sport and let's play like a winning team.

I'll suffer with them to the end of the season but I don't have high hopes for post-season play. They are 11^th in the Western Conference standings vying for to take over the 8^the spot along with the Flames, Blues, Ducks and Wild who are all pretty close to each other in points. Anything can happen but I don't see the grit it takes from the Stars right now not to mention I don't see the play tremendously falling off from the other teams listed.

GO STARS!

Time to jump off the Stars bandwagon?

If there ever was a bandwagon.

This is the Dallas Stars' games schedule for the month of March 2009. It's disgraceful and the entire team and management should be embarrassed! 15 games...11 points (3 regulation wins, 1 OT win, 2 OTs)...11 losses (11 regulation, 3 OT). That's a 27% win percentage or 20% win percentage not counting the OT win since the opponent gets one point for the loss.

This is a younger team than a few years ago, maybe that's the issue. Turco is Turco and he lets the simplest shots go in but he also stops the seemingly unstoppable. I think in the past he's been used to having a great pair of defense guys in front of him and he just has to stop the occasional highlight-reel shot.

This team this year has sorely disappointed me time and time again. I just see a lot of lethargic play, lazy-ass attempts at defense and some over-zealous, over-stayed ice times (does Ribeiro ring a bell?). C'mon Ribs there is no RIBS in TEAM and you aren't the team! You had a very good year last year. You sported some fancy moves and nice goals but the opponents are on to you. They are not allowing you to do much like last year. That was the benefit of you having been a basic nobody until you started earning your dough last year. Relish in those good times because I think they are basically over.

Well anyway, the Stars will try again tonight against the Kings of L.A. in LA at 9:30pm CST. I probably won't see the start of it as I will be playing tennis until late this evening. I then have to study for an all important marketing exam tomorrow--which I'm probably going to fail miserably...reverse psychology better work wonders.

Anyhow, good luck to you Stars even though it basically doesn't matter. 7 points behind 8th place (STL). Six games remain against 3 teams previously lost to (1 being STL, 2 vying for the 8th spot [ANA,MIN]) and 3 teams won against (one in OT).

So here's to hoping that you win all six games and the other teams lose all their remaining, then we'll see you in the playoffs. Otherwise, you better get your tee times reserved!

Game 6 Stanley Cup Finals tonight

I don't really want either team, Detroit or Pittsburgh, to win but since it's gotta be one of them because Dallas blew donkey dicks, I think I want Pittsburgh to win. I don't think that's going to happen but I'm tired of seeing Detroit in the playoffs and in the finals. I personally think they are a dirty team. I mean not like a go-out-to-maim-someone type playing but...close. I used to like Detroit when I was younger and they had the likes of Federov and the rest of the 'Flying Russians' but I think that's because I was young, dumb and had more pent up aggression. Besides, I don't recall them being as much of a "goon" team as they seem now. Maybe it's just high intensity and balls to the wall playing.

Or maybe I'm just bitter that Dallas sucked! Oh well.

Damn those Dallas Stars

So, the Stars won game 4. Bastards! They just want to prolong my suffering!

Now if they could just prolong it to the Stanley Cup Finals that would be an awesome thing.

I'm still doubtful and disgruntled.

The commentator said it best

I am watching Game 4 of the Stars vs Red Wings playoff series — yes, I am disgruntled but that doesn't mean I won't watch the game, although I almost didn't — and it's about a quarter to halfway into the 2^nd period.

Miettinen was coming to the Red Wings blue line and he turns around to try a spin around backhand pass to no one and the puck doesn't get into the offensive zone. The commentator says, "Miettinen needs to get that puck in the zone...There's just too many stick handlers on the ice [for Dallas]." AMEN! Most goals are either very, very pretty or downright ugly.

Oh yeah, another reason the Stars are going to lose. Three power plays and no goals. Now the Red Wings are on the power play and almost scored ten seconds into it. We'll see if they score...yep, they did...oh shit, they waived it off because they said Holstrom was in the crease. He wasn't. Stars got lucky for a second. We'll see if their luck lasts.

Hey, hey, hey...goodbye

to the Dallas Stars that is.

Yes, hello there. It's me. Disgruntled, pissed off Fan.

No, I do not jump on and off the bandwagon when they are winning or losing. I watch them 100%...until I know they've lost for sure. That's why I'm sending them off before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals begins.

The Stars did well...to an extent. They made it through the regular season although near the end their win/loss percentage was not positive. They were a team that was a shoo in for the playoffs a month before they started but then when it came to the last few games they were a maybe, maybe not. It could have gone either way and luckily for them the other teams vying for the 7^th or ^8th spots screwed up worse than the Stars.

They took it to the Ducks and then the Sharks. Or did the Ducks and then the Sharks just falter sooner or worse than the Stars?

The problem is that the Red Wings aren't (and probably won't) faltering. They are taking it to the Stars and the Stars are not responding or simply they cannot respond. They are outhitting the Stars. They are outplaying the Stars. They are out-finessing the Stars. They are kicking the Stars' asses!

It's sad really. The Stars haven't adjusted to the quality of skill and determination with which the Red Wings are playing.

The Red Wings are a team of mostly old guys. I mean, shit, Chelios is 46 years old and he plays harder and longer than Modano or any of the younger guys on the Stars' lines but maybe Morrow, Lehtinen, Ott, Barnes and Robidas. I could have put Hagman in there but he has since faded into "who is that guy again?" along with Ribeiro. No matter what numbers Ribs may have put up during the start of the regular season, he faded. He's been iffy, if not very lucky, during the playoffs to get any points because this is the fucking playoffs and no one sits around to let him try and make his perfect pass or his whoop-dee-doo moves and shots. He hangs onto that puck way too damn long and he's not as skilled with the puck maneuvers when a playoff defenseman is spanking his ass.

The Stars need to make a change albeit maybe too late. I'm not sure what the hell Tippett was thinking putting Richards on the point during the power play but he did. And what happened? Zhetterberg takes the puck from end to end and puts one past Turco. How fitting? Not only did Richards suck as a defensive offense but Turco let another very stoppable shot go in. Granted, he probably thought Richards was going to make a better defensive play or Richards could have actually hindered Turco's vision or anticipation of the shot but this is the playoffs, BITCH! STEP UP! DAMN!

So, what do I see later on but Richards working point again during the power play. Um, hello...Tippett, did you not see how poor Richards was on every power play before this one AND ESPECIALLY the one where he got raped and beaten for a short-handed goal??? C'mon, man, wake up and get your head out of your ass!!!

It's a different time folks. It's the playoffs. Not just the playoffs, it's the freaking Western Conference Finals!!

The way I see it is if Ron Wilson got fired from the San Jose Sharks coaching job for losing the past three years in the second round, then Dave Tippett should be fired as the Stars coach. I'm not saying it's totally the coaches fault because I watched three games of some piss-poor playing and lackadaisical effort from many of the players. But something has got to change and someone has got to go and it's usually the coach. Why they can't fire a player for lack of effort or whatever is beyond me (okay, because some other team will pick them up and that player will come back and wreak havoc on our team and someone will question WHY we ever got rid of him without looking back and remembering how shitty he played for us but anyway...).

Okay, so I think I'm done ranting. Let's hit the links as we'll see a lot of local sports professionals there since the Mavs are out, the Stars are about to be out, and the Rangers haven't really been in.

I'm done!

Way to go STARS!

After 3 1/2 overtimes, someone finally puts me out of my misery. Luckily it was a Star that did it to win the series! There were many "Wohs," "Ohs," and "Almosts" that made it a game not to miss if you were already watching it from the beginning, middle or even near the end of regulation. It truly could have gone either way, especially that one shot from Marleau of the Sharks on a basically open net but somehow Turco got the right leg kicked up to block it.

I believe Brad Richards actually ended it with his shot in OT1. The goal-watchers in Toronto and upstairs in the booth reviewed it and said it was a no-goal but I think it crossed the line completely. They ran the tape of it many times while the review was underway and if you watch it, you'll see that the overhead net camera is not perfectly or directly over the goal line. It in fact is a little behind it because when it looks down upon the crossbar of the net the goal line can be seen. If it was lined up properly, the crossbar and goal line would essentially be the same "line." So, after the constant viewings of the shot from the overhead cam, the puck looks like at least half if not three-quarters of it crosses the goal line...as seen from the incorrect angle. I think if the camera or another camera for that matter had the proper positioning, the puck would have been shown as cross the entire goal line; hence, a goal, an OT goal, a quick win for the Stars instead of having to wait an hour later.

Yes, that's a bit overanalyzing if not a little dorky but did YOU stay up to watch the entire game until about 1:30 a.m. and have to be up at 7 a.m? I think my overanalysis is deserved and should be warranted by the governing body of the NHL. If those morons properly thought out camera placements, Game 6 would have been in the books way earlier.

Anyway, below is a shot of Morrow and Modano celebrating Morrow's game-winning goal. I thought it was a good shot and you can see more photos in a slide show here (as long as the link lasts).


Credit given to DallasNews.com staff photographer.

Go Stars!

That's pretty much all I can say on that topic. Having a commanding 3-0 lead in the playoff series is quite a benefit but by no means insurmountable. It does put more pressure on the team with the "0" part of the series count which makes them more dangerous to an extent.

There were some close shots on both ends of the ice that could have easily made it a Sharks win (or Stars win) in regulation.

One gripe...Hagman should have pulled it to his backhand and then back to his forehand for the penalty shot. Why the hell he tried to score on a weaker shot (the backhand lift) is beyond me! I think he realized his mistake once he was looking back at the net to see Nabokov flicking him the finger and saying, "Who's your daddy, bitch!?"

If they'd listen to me yelling at the TV and they'd win it way easier than they are making it!

Game 4 tonight. Why the hell one home game for the Stars is played at 6:30 p.m. and the next (back-to-back, in fact) is 8:00 p.m. Must be giving those hockey fanatics like myself who want to watch all the games time to catch those others on Versus.

Oh well, I'm a statue at 8:00 p.m. tonight!

GO STARS!

Since the Mav's sucked Hornet nads and are what we in Dallas typically call...

LOSERS!

Your Dallas Stars!!!!!

Stars - 3, Sharks - 0

The Dallas Stars are kicking butt. Just like they did in round one against the Anaheim Ducks. Hopefully, they won't need to win in five but instead can do it in four.

After last night's game (other than the first goal), Dallas may just be able to go all the way. They started off a little slow and sloppy but played way better in the subsequent minutes and periods. If they would just play with the tenacity, heart and desire like that all the time they wouldn't make a loyal (occasionally bitter) fan worry so much while watching these games. Oh well, I guess that's hockey!

GO STARS!

Dallas Stars are in to round two!

Well, I'll be...a regular "miracle on ice" happened the other night.

I wasn't so positive that they would pull off a win the way they weren't scoring on the MANY, MANY scoring opportunities the Ducks were giving up. The Ducks were almost putting the puck on a silver platter for the Stars to shove it down their throats for goals. Not to mention that Anaheim scored first on a very flaky goal that Turco should never have let in — although those are the types of goals he's ALWAYS let in.

So, off to round two against either the Calgary Flames or the San Jose Sharks. We'll find out which after their game seven tonight.

GO STARS!

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks - Game 6

If you are watching the game and you saw Corey Perry score on Marty Turco from midrange and between the legs, you know why Turco is not considered a playoff goalie. Personally, I didn't think he was much of a goalie to begin with. In the past, he's been very lucky and he's had phenomenal people working in front of him. This year, not so phenomenal although there are a lot of good, veteran defensemen on the Stars that are "out of the office" at this time.

That shot was fully stoppable by a good goalie! It should have never EASILY gone in, between his legs, like it did.

In the military, they would put boots or soap in pillow slips and hold Turco down on his bunk and beat the shit out of him for such stupid mistakes!

But...I guess there is still some glimmer of hope since it's got five minutes left in the second period and an entire third period to go. As long as the Stars, stop the slow bleeding now!

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks - Game 5

VS

Gosh darn Stars sucked balls again. They came out like a bunch of midget league hockey players and got squashed like little bugs!

Yes! I expect perfection...or pretty damn near it! Especially when I have to stay up until midnight to finish watching the game.

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks - Game 4

VS
It's game four time people. Let's hear it for YOUR DALLAS STARS!!!!!

Check the game out at 7:30 p.m. I think it's on My27 locally.

Damn them if they disappoint me...and the rest of the metroplex.

They better listen to my yelling at the television and we are a shoo-in.

Dallas Stars are going to lose

3:28 left in the third period.

Stars had a four minute power play and got four shots on goal. FOUR SHOTS! If the fuck sticks would listen to me yelling at the television, the score would be 6-4 Stars.

2:20 left and still 4-2.

I think I'm going to bed or I'm switching to Versus to watch the Wild/Avs game.

Damn Stars!

45.1 left.

I guess I could watch the rest to see them lose.

Bastard Stars!

Yes, I'm a bitter fan!

STARS LOSE!

Cockmunchers.