Final
Dallas 3 – Phoenix 1
1st Period:
No scoring
- There was very little to mention in this period. Neither team was really able to grab a hold of the momentum and have sustained pressure. There weren’t many dangerous shots or chances for either side.
- The Stars had one power-play chance in the period but weren’t able to do anything.
- One notable thing was how out of sorts Aaron Rome looked. He was all over the place and put the Stars in some precarious positions.
- Mike Smith made one big stop early in the game when Peverley attempted to go glove-side on him but Smith made the huge stop. He was solid though the rest of the period as he caught pretty much everything thrown his way.
- Dallas outshot Phoenix 13-11 in this period.
2nd Period:
9:18 – Antoine Vermette (21)
Unassisted
12:32 – Shawn Horcoff (7) (Power Play)
Assists: Tyler Seguin (31), Rich Peverley (20)
- There were a couple of shaky moments for the Stars in the first 10 minutes. There was a line change that led to a breakaway attempt for the Coyotes that Lehtonen was able to save. Aaron Rome also had some “huh”: moments again.
- The Coyotes finally scored when Nichushkin had a terrible turnover at neutral ice that Vermette was able to get, and Jordie Benn while the Stars were in the midst of another line change. Vermette had a breakaway chance and didn’t fail on his opportunity.
- On the other side of the ice, Dallas was able to put some solid pressure on Smith. Seguin had some great looks but couldn’t score. He put a great pass in front for Nichushkin but Nuke wasn’t able to strong-arm his way through.
- Erik Cole also almost had a great chance. A Peverley pass nearly front in with a gaping net but Smith was able to flail his stick and knock the puck out of the passing lane.
- Dallas was able to answer that goal with a power-play goal about three minutes later. Seguin put in a fantastic pass to Horcoff, and the veteran was able to force it by Smith with a nifty backhand.
- Turnovers are still a huge problem this game. There were some egregious ones near the end of the period that were saved by Kari.
- Dallas outshot Phoenix in this period 18-7
3rd Period:
3:25 – Antoine Roussel (9)
Assist: Ryan Garbutt (9)
19:33 – Ryan Garbutt (11) (Empty Net)
Assist: Cody Eakin (16)
- Dallas was able to strike first in the period with a goal from Roussel. The Coyotes attempted to dump-and-change but had a very sloppy line change. Ryan Garbutt was able to get the puck quickly and into the offensive zone. His drop pass eluded a reaching Vern Fiddler and Roussel fired one from the top of the circles. His shot was able to get by Smith.
- Smith made some huge saves with seven minutes left. He stopped a Nichushkin-Benn combo move that gave Benn a chance from just outside the crease. He then stopped multiple point blank attempts form both Garbutt and Fiddler; Fiddler had a completely uncovered shot.
- Ryan Garbutt finished off the game with a bank shot empty-net goal from his own blue line while he was simultaneously getting crushed. He played a solid game and deserved a goal for his efforts.
Other Observations:
- Dallas was shooting way too much at Smith’s glove hand in the first two periods. He was catching damn near everything.
- Tonight was Dallas’ first win in which they registered at least 40 shots. They were previously 0-4-3 on the year.
- Ray Whitney rode the pine again with only 9:48 in ice time, the fewest on the team.
Stats:
|
|
Dallas |
Phoenix |
|
Shots |
40 |
28 |
|
Power Play |
1 of 4 |
0 of 2 |
|
PIM |
4 |
8 |
|
Hits |
23 |
32 |
|
Faceoffs Won |
29 |
28 |
