After teasing us with hints of a monumental comeback, the Dallas Stars were finally buried by the better team last night. Red Wings 4, Stars 1 wasn’t as close as the score indicates.

Detroit, which advances to a Stanley Cup Finals series against Pittsburgh that I’m just sure we’ll all be glued to, took control early with a goal by Kris Draper, assist to his face. From there, the Red Wings skated out 4-0 and coasted home.

Brenden Morrow gave away a goal, the Stars weren’t as detailed defensively and the Red Wings’ goalie on this night was Chris Osgreat. But as I’ve said before, it’s no shame losing to Detroit.

Regardless, the Stars’ season was a smashing success and one that signaled their return to the living in the Metroplex sports scene.

It hurt to see the hated Red Wings accept the Campbell Bowl Trophy as Western Conference champs in the AAC, but not nearly as much as watching the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade lift the Davey O’Brien hardware in our house back in 2006.

Even the end wasn’t all that bitter, as the sellout crowd saluted the Stars with a spine-tingling, towel-waving, standing ovation the final 30 seconds and into the traditional post-series handshake.

Stay classy, Dallas. -- Richie Whitt