Falling Stars: Dallas Earns Its Early Vacation

By Richie Whitt Mon., Apr. 11 2011 at 8:34 AM

Categories: Dallas Stars

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So who crumbled worse Sunday: Rory McIlroy at Augusta or your Dallas Stars in Minnesota?

Hours after McIlroy ruined a four-shot lead with an 80 at The Masters, the hockey team fanned on a tap-in and missed the NHL Playoffs.

After the Chicago Blackhawks lost at home to Detroit earlier in the day, it was all set up for the Stars. Win and they were in. Against the lowly Minnesota Wild, no less. I know it was Dallas' sixth game in nine days, but you couldn't ask for a better do-or-die opponent. The Wild entered with wins in only three of the previous 14 games.

Somehow -- for the third consecutive season -- there will be no playoff hockey in Dallas.

The Stars botched their wide-open layup, blowing a 2-1 lead in a 5-3 loss to the Wild that ushered Chicago into the post-season and gave Dallas the undesirable achievement of having amassed the most points (95) while missing the playoffs.

Somebody named Colton Gillies scored for the first time in two years, Brad Richards hit the crossbar early in the third, and former Star Antti Miettenen netted the game-winner. For Minneosta it was a meaningless win in the home finale of a dreadful season.

For Dallas, it was the rotten cherry atop a melted sundae. Remember, on January 20, the Stars led the Pacific Division with a 29-13-5 record and were a whopping 10 points up on the 9th-place team.

Considering the departures of goalie Marty Turco and face of the franchise Mike Modano, expectations weren't high this season. Then Dallas' young team got hot and we got interested.

The Stars almost shoved themselves back on the map with a first-round playoff series against Vancouver. Instead, courtesy of this ugly loss, the next time we think about them is when they're finally sold.

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Brenden Morrow, Kari Lehtonen, Marc Crawford

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He does that for effect. So everyone is supposed to know the Wild's entire roster, including a guy that hasn't scored a goal in two seasons? So easy to sit back and critique. Where's your freaking blog?
yes Rooster I know, I made that point all year, but his fucking name is still on the paperwork and in the program so until his name is gone and his parking spot sold to the new owners then Im out
Yeah, apparently it's even better motivation than actually being able to get into the playoffs.
Yeah, because I'm obviously what's wrong with this team, and not their uninspired performance on the ice. Feel free to redirect anger toward me, if that makes you feel better about the Stars' EPIC FAIL.
I'm pretty sure you could find a better do-or-die opponent than going to the home of the franchise that replaced you in the city you once left. You think the Wild didn't realize they had a chance to throw a stick in the spokes of a team that up and left? Minor influence at best, yes, but when you're a crappy team and need to get up for your last game, being able to screw the other team out of the playoffs is pretty good motivation to try hard.
Well just be sure and don't sign him in two years when he becomes a free agent to the team that you're the GM of.
You obviously don't know anything about this team. Your hockey intelegence in that of my mom. But keep making yourself sound like a jackass, at least it's a little entertaining.
And for the record, I watched quite a few games this year - most of which involved LehtOnen allowing a soft goal late to blow the game. Trot out his GAA or save percentage or whatever other stat you want, but dude simply does not pass the eyeball test.
However the EFF his spare-ass name is spelled...he ain't the answer between the pipes, pal!
Lehtenen retired last season, dipshit. Watching one game in a season doesn't give you hockey blogger status. That goes for you and RW.
I was more referring to gone in terms of ceasing to be, as John Cleese once so delicately put it.
Hicks is already gone. The banks are in control of the team.
[robotgreggo]GOODPOINT[/robotgreggo]
I realize the inclination is to look at this as a season where they exceeded expectations, but it's really hard to have much positive to say after last night. Maybe a few weeks down the road, but not now.
Richards is an unrestricted free agent. It doesn't matter if anyone thinks he's "untouchable" or not. He's going to be wearing another sweater next year.
Good season, given the fact the team spent nothing on players and was essentially put together with duct tape (I believe 2010-2011 payroll was 23rd out of 30 teams.) Sadly, our best player is leaving (Brad Richards) and we're not going to be able to resign him or get anything in return for him. As much as it pains me to say it, this team is going to be bad for a very, very long time.
Definitely want Hicks GONE!!! Benn is the future of this franchise, and really the only player on this roster worth placing into the "untouchable" category - Richards included.
So the stars were what we thought they were....when the season started. I only want 2 things to happen this summer. Hicks/Monarch to be completely gone and Brad Richards re-signed. If Hicks/monarch are still areound come next October i wont spend a dime on them until they are. I did it to the Ranger and I can do it with the stars
They deserve every last bit of dogpiling they get. No mercy for this pack of quitters!
Man, talk about a team full of chokers. ONE PERIOD to win...JUST ONE, and they can't do it. They can't even COME CLOSE. Absolutely terrible. Crawford should be fired. Lehtenen should be exiled. This team still has the stink of Hicks all over it...FAIL STINK.
Richie, Would you please stop using the phrase "somebody named"? It makes you sound ignorant and barely a casual observer of the sports you pretend to cover.
until they get sold from the hick disaster...they will be failures...
It's too easy to dogpile the Stars. Sorry guys, better luck next year. Hopefully new ownership will reenergize you.