Posted by By Jon Gabrielle, Dallas Stars correspondent
On a night when many things went right for the Dallas Stars, Marty Turco took home the win, his 38th career shutout and the first star of the game, leading his team to the 2-0 win.
However, facing just 22 shots, two crucial moments made this anyhting but a laissez faire evening for the veteran net keeper.
Turco shuts out Canes(photo courtesy, Dallas Stars)
The first one came at the 13;23 mark of the second period. Joni Pitkanen came barrelling down the left side and fed a nice cross-ice feed to Ray Whitney for an apparent goal and a tie game. However, after a lengthy review back in Toronto, the goal was disallowed much to the chagrin of Carolina coach, Paul Maurice. “The ref on the ice made the call that it was a goal, but they reviewed it in Toronto and felt it wasn’t a goal. That was it. On the road, that’s a huge call against us.”
Conversely, Marty Turco saw it a different way saying, “obviously they deliberated for awhile. To me, he tried to kick it up to his stick, therefore he kicked it…that’s why replay is important, they get it right. It’s nice that they take the time to look at it.”
The next crucial part of this game happened early in the third period with the Stars clinging to a 2-0 lead.
With Krystofer Barch in the box for hooking, Karlis Skrastins drew the ire of the official and along with it a two minute high-sticking penalty. That left Dallas two men short for 1:38 and left Turco under a flurry of pressure.
Crawford called the 5 on 3, “a big minute in the game,” saying, “it was huge!” He continued, praising his goaltender, “Marty had two big time quality saves.”
As both penalties expired the AAC crowd rose in unison, roaring their approval and giving the 34 year old Turco a standing ovation.
Turco also came up big just 40 seconds into the second period when he made a blocker save off Joni Pitkanen’s stick from point blank range.
Another noteworthy Star on this evening was Captain Brenden Morrow, who narrowingly missed a “Gordie Howe hat trick” according to his coach. The second goal though was credited to Brad Richards instead, leaving Morrow with a good scrap 25 seconds into the contest along with an assist on the first goal. Crawford said, “Brenden was a great leader for us tonight.”
Brad Richards stays hot. (photo courtesy/Dallas Stars)
Brad Richards continues his torrid pace, having notched 8 points in his last 4 games. He currently sits in 4th place in the NHL scoring race with 7 goals and 21 assists for a total of 28 points in just 21 games. All this while not being invited to the Canadien Olympic camp only weeks ago. (Look for more on this topic in the coming days.)
Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Is It Time To Trade Marty Turco?
In Marty we trust!
November rolls in…
Turco the Terrible!
Stars in Trouble!
Sharks-Stars: Evgeni Nabokov May Be on the Lam
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