DALLAS (AP) - With less than a month left, the Dallas Stars may
finally be ready to defend their Stanley Cup.
Mike Modano extended his scoring streak to nine games with two
assists Sunday as the Stars won 4-2 over St. Louis, beating the
NHL's winningest team just two days after losing to the one of
the worst, the New York Islanders.
"It was an ugly game the other night. We tend to sink into the
game of our opponent," Modano said. "St. Louis is the best team
in the league, so your level of play rises when you play a team
of that caliber."
Modano's assists came on Dallas' first two goals, including
Brenden Morrow's score just three minutes into the second period
that broke a 1-1 tie and put the Stars ahead to stay. Modano has
16 goals and 19 assists the last 23 games.
Goalie Manny Fernandez, starting his third game for the Stars
since No. 1 goalie Ed Belfour's arrest last week, held on after
that. In the previous two games, Fernandez let leads slip away,
including a 4-3 overtime loss Friday night to the Islanders.
"There was a little concern for the last few games," Fernandez
said. "I was a little nervous, but I gave it all I had today."
Belfour is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday at New Jersey. NHL
officials evaluated Belfour in accordance with the league's
substance abuse policy after he was arrested last Wednesday for
aggravated assault on a hotel security guard and resisting
arrest.
Stars coach Ken Hitchcock's 200th victory came in his 358th game,
making him the fifth-fastest to reach the milestone. All of the
wins have been the last four years in Dallas, the latest being
the only one during a four-game homestand.
St. Louis, which has a league-best 43 victories, had its 11-game
road unbeaten streak snapped. The Blues had won a NHL record 10
straight road games before a 1-1 tie on March 4 at Florida.
"It was a great streak, but it couldn't go on forever," Blues
coach Joel Quenneville said. "It's tough because we were playing
back-to-back. We played hard, they got some breaks on their
goals, on some deflections and some bounces. I don't really think
we gave up a whole lot."
St. Louis was also playing without Chris Pronger, one of the
league's top defensemen, scratched because of back spasms. Kirk
Muller iced the game when he scored with just 1:36 left and Jamie
Langenbrunner and Aaron Gavey also scored for Dallas. Mike
Eastwood and Stephane Richer scored for St. Louis. Both teams
finished with 21 shots.
DALLAS STARS 4, St. Louis Blues 2
1ST 2ND 3RD FINAL
--- --- --- -----
St. Louis 1 1 0 2
Dallas 1 2 1 4
FIRST PERIOD - SCORING: 1, Dallas, Langenbrunner 12 (Morrow,
Modano), 10:37. 2, St. Louis, Eastwood 18 (Mayers, Hecht), 17:32.
PENALTIES: Handzus, StL (roughing), 4:39; Gavey, Dal (roughing),
11:54; Manson, Dal (cross-checking), 11:54; Nash, StL (roughing),
11:54; Gavey, Dal, major (fighting), 15:15; Nash, Stl, major
(fighting), 15:15; Langenbrunner, Dal (ob.-holding stick), 19:04.
SECOND PERIOD - SCORING: 10, Dallas, Morrow 14 (Modano, Hull),
2:57. 4, Dallas, Gavey 7 (Thornton, Zubov), 6:46. 5, St. Louis,
Richer 14 (pp) (Reasoner, Ellett), 15:29 (pp). PENALTIES: Sim,
Dal (hooking), 14:36; Bartecko, StL (high sticking), 17:38.
THIRD PERIOD - SCORING: 6, Dallas, Muller 5 (Zubov), 18:24.
PENALTIES: Langenbrunner, Dal (goalie interference), 6:45; St.
Louis bench, served by Richer (too many men on ice), 7:42;
Reirden, StL (ob.-holding stick), 10:42.
SHOTS ON GOAL
1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
St. Louis 13 4 4 21
Dallas 7 8 6 21
POWER PLAY: St. Louis 1 of 4; Dallas 0 of 4. GOALIES: St. Louis,
McLennan 8-4-1 (21 shots-17 saves). Dallas, Fernandez 9-7-2
(21-19).
Referees: Mick McGeough, Stephen Walkom. Linesmen: Dan McCourt,
Andy McElman.
A: 17,001 (17,001).