Dallas Sports Blog

​Tom Hicks reiterated yesterday that his hockey team - unlike his baseball team - isn't for sale.

My condolences, Stars fans.

Also last weekend Liverpool soccer fans marched in protest against Hicks before a game against rival Manchester United. I know Hicks is personally rich enough to put caviar in his caulking gun and wash his loins with bottles of Dom Perignon.

But, still ...

​10. Went to Bruins 3, Stars 0 Friday night. First hockey game this season. Dallas didn't look good, but the experience wasn't half-bad.

9. If you haven't been to American Airlines Center in a while, prepare to be dazzled. The four-sided HD video screens on the over-hanging scoreboard are fabulous. There are also two new video boards at each end of the joint. The things were in place when I went to the UFC event last month, but they're even more spectacular for a real sport.

8. Hanging around baseball clubhouses and football locker rooms makes you forget, but not all professional athletes are pricks. The Stars are accessible and amiable.

7. So Boston has this mammoth player. Towering over people. Relatively speaking he looks like Gheorge Muresan. Turns out Bruins' defenseman Zdeno Chara is 6-foot-9. Impressive.

6. As if the Stars' Ice Girls weren't head-turning enough, have you seen these dancers up behind each goal? They wear leg warmers, which is cool. But they also wear what amounts to nothing more than bras and those boy-short panties, which is hot.

Nothing says hockey like ... hotties?

​Coulda swore the National Hockey League never returned from its 2005 lockout. No, wait, don't I sorta remember a hip little hiccup back in 2008?

Honestly, they tell me there will be a Dallas Stars game down at American Airlines Center tonight. Marc Crawford is the new coach. Brenden Morrow is the old captain. Mike Modano is still hanging around. And Sean Avery long ago left.

What gets us excited about hockey in September? Two words ...

No doubt the man who once held the Cup now calls the shots.

So I'm gone a week and two major coaching deals?

Ron Washington: In. Dave Tippett: Out.

How can that be?

I'll get to Wash later this week, but I'm still trying to figure out new Stars' GM Joe Nieuwendyk's decision to replace the likeable Tippett with the long ago expired Marc Crawford. (He's gone as long as the Cowboys between post-season success.)

Like a lot of casual hockey fans, I saw the Stars thusly: Momentum from the great run to the 2008 Western Conference Finals sabotaged in 2009 by the regrettable signing of Sean Avery and countless injuries to front-line players.

Right?

Nieuwendyk apparently saw it differently.

On second thought, two heads aren't better than one.

Since two girlfriends = one problem, the Dallas Stars have abruptly ended their dual general managers experiement.

Out: Brett Hull/Les Jackson.

In: Joe Nieuwendyk.

Strange as it is to be talking hockey in June - unless, of course, you live in Detroit - the fact that owner Tom Hicks tried a two-headed GM in the first place was bizarre. Then, after the team advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2008, he confirmed the craziness by giving Hull/Jackson concurrent three-year contracts through the 2011 season.

A year later, so long cutting edge. Hello conventional wisdom.

And welcome back, Joe.

I know other columnists disagree, but I think this is it. Tonight's the final game in the Stars-studded hockey career of Mike Modano.

Horrible season. Getting called out. A team-worst minus-14. Only one goal in his last 34 games. Turning 39 in June. Her waiting at home.

Just a gut feeling.

It's not Wayne Gretzky hanging up his skates, but it could be the last game for the face of Dallas hockey for 15 years and the greatest American-born scorer in the history of the NHL.

Set your TiVo's accordingly, just in case. Stars-Ducks, Channel 21, 9 p.m.

You think he'll be back?

Seriously, this season ended right here.

Give the Dallas Stars credit for being spunky and resilient and stubbornly fun to watch. But the season's over, right?

To me it ended Saturday in San Jose. Not just with the 5-2 loss to the Sharks, but more so with another major injury. This one to Brad Richards, who broke his left hand while hurrying back from a broken right wrist.

If you heard coach Dave Tippett afterward, he sounded like a defeated man. In 12th place - though only three points out of 8th - in the NHL's Western Conference with 10 games remaining, I'm afraid he's right.

Which really, really sucks. Because this season began with such promise. Remember?

These guys used to battle for a spot in the NBA Finals. Now? Just the 8th seed.

The Dallas Mavericks can clinch a playoff spot tonight. Plain and simple.

Leading the Suns by a full four games in the race for 8th in the NBA's Western Conference, if the Mavs win in Phoenix tonight they'll own a considerable - insurmountable? - gap heading into the season's final 18 games. Of course, it won't be easy.

Nothing this season - for the Mavs or your Dallas Stars - has been easy.

The Stars are currently out of the NHL's Western Conference playoffs, but only two points south of 6th place. The Mavs are just two games out of 5th, but will play tonight's key game and maybe longer without Josh Howard and his troublesome ankle.

1999 seems a millennium ago doesn't it?

When we last left the Dallas Stars they were a mediocre, irrelevant team besieged by injuries, struggling to stay around .500 and in the Western Conference playoff hunt while blaming Sean Avery.

This morning - after last night's 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens - the Dallas Stars are a mediocre, irrelevant team besieged by injuries, struggling to stay around .500 and in the Western Conference playoff hunt while blaming Mike Modano. Said coach Dave Tippett after the game:

"We expect more from Modano ..."

You see what happens when you're missing Brenden Morrow, Brad Richards, Jere Lehtinen and Sergei Zubov and you've already cut your built-in scapegoat? Suddenly, fingers are pointed at the pretty face of the franchise.

Wow.

Might be a pre-emptive strike in advance of losing the Dallas Cowboys.

Might be a further stock-piling of assets aimed at extending its dynasty another 15 years.

Either way, 1310 AM The Ticket just announced it will be the radio home of your Dallas Stars for the next five years starting in 2009-10. Good on them.

Sean Avery puts himself before his team, alienates his locker room and winds up disparaging players on other teams.

Terrell Owens puts himself before his team, alienates his locker room and winds up disparaging players on his own team.

So, you tell me, does it make sense that T.O. is suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys tonight but Avery will apparently never again play for the Dallas Stars? - Richie Whitt

This just in: The wimpy, senstive, ridiculous, irrelevant National Hockey League has suspended Dallas Stars' winger Sean Avery six games for telling the truth.

Do you think the punishment fits the crime?

Do you give a damn? - Richie Whitt

Not saying Sean Avery isn't an asshole. Or a horrible teammate. Or, for that matter, a room-wrecker the Dallas Stars should consider dumping.

I'm just saying he shouldn't have been suspended - or worse, pending this afternoon's meeting with NHL poobah Gary Bettman in New York - merely for his "sloppy seconds" zinger.

It was a classic barb. Years from now Stars' fans - shoot, all sports fans - will associate sloppy seconds with him. As in, "Dude, don't go home with her. Unless you want to be Phaneuf to my Avery."

His insult got me to thinking about the all-time sports zingers. Care for a hastily assembled Top 10? Well then, jump to it.

"Sloppy seconds"? That's all he said? You're shitting me, right?

I could've sworn Sean Avery played professional hockey, not pre-school hopscotch.

Avery, signed by the Dallas Stars to be a well-dressed, sharp-tongued agitator, was suspended indefinitely by the NHL last night for daring to utter a phrase you can hear on Jon Stewart or even Jay Leno any ol' night of the week. Before airing the biting sound byte, ESPN's Linda Cohn ridiculously cautioned, "what you're about to hear may be offensive."

After Dallas' morning skate in Calgary prior to last night's 3-1 win, Avery approached a group of reporters and said ...

"I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight."

That's it? That's it. I know. WTF?

Hate to head into the weekend on a downer, but this is pretty significant – and bad – news.

Stars’ captain Brenden Morrow, the team’s heart and soul, is out for at least six months with a torn ACL in his right knee. Let’s see, six months means … May? In other words, he’s done for the season.

And, unless I’m reading things wrong, so are the Stars.

Sean Avery is refreshing. Eclectic. Tough. Successful. Courageous.

And not gay.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Or is there?

In my column in this week’s dead tree version of Sportatorium, I examine how it is that the Dallas Stars’ tough guy balances being one of the NHL’s most macho goons with a fashion fetish that has him interning at Vogue and -- gasp! -- befriending homosexuals.

Though he’s banged the likes of Elisha Cuthbert and Rachel Hunter, Avery says he gets called “faggot” and “homo” on the ice. Same thing, after reading the wafer-thin forbearance of Robert Jeffress, he could apparently be called at the First Baptist Church of Dallas. Nice.

Not going to go all Bible Boy on you, but I have some red-blooded, blue-shaded thoughts.

Compared to the Dallas Stars, the Cowboys are as harmonious and giddy as a group of true-blue Democrats. Maybe you’ve been too worried about your football team’s implosion to notice, but your hockey team isn’t worth a damn.

At 4-6-2, the Stars are arguably the NHL’s worst team. They’ve allowed a league-high 50 goals. Goalie Marty Turco is last in GAA and save percentage. Last. And after losses in Chicago and Boston by a combined 10-3, Mike Modano called out agitators Steve Ott and Sean Avery for being “idiotic and stupid.” On the same trip, Turco lashed out at his defensemen for trying to do too much and cluttering up the net.

“It was one of the most embarrassing things I've seen,” Modano said of the Boston massacre. “If that's what we're going for, then they need to find me an office job.”

Wow. Imagine if Terrell Owens popped off with that one.

While America’s “hockey moms” were likely learning about Joe the Plumber last night, Dallas’ hockey fans were introduced to Fabian Brunnstrom.

How’s this for a lid-lifter? In his first NHL game, the Swedish winger scored three goals in leading the Stars to their first victory of the season.

In case you somehow missed it, John McCain’s running mate/Saturday Night Live punch line swooped into town last week. But instead of putting lipstick on a pig, Dallas Stars’ owner Tom Hicks gave the world’s most annoying hockey mom a hockey sweater.

But not just any ol’ sweater. No. 2. Ostensibly because she hopes to be No. 2 in charge. But, c’mon, is nothing sacred?

If I’m a Stars’ fan – and I am, sorta – I’m a little bit offended.

So, Stars fans, do you feel any better knowing that your team put up a better fight against the Detroit Red Wings in the West finals than the Pittsburgh Penguins have in the Stanley Cup finals?

Didn't think so. Nonetheless, looks like the Wings will hoist their fourth Cup in 11 years in about, oh, nine hours.

And, Stars fans, are you as iffy about Mike Modano’s return as – apparently – he is?

In news that should surprise no one, the Dallas Stars have inked co-general managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson to concurrent three-year contracts running through the 2011 season.

It seemed a desperate move when owner Tom Hicks fired former GM Doug Armstrong and replaced him with two guys. Like with football quarterbacks, if you have two GMs it usually means you don't have any.

But, give them credit, Hull and Jackson not only got along, they made the key acquisition of forward Brad Richards in February that helped Dallas push the Red Wings to a Game 6 in the NHL Western Conference Finals.

With them back and Mike Modano announcing he's returning next year for a 19th NHL season, Stars' fans likely can't wait for training camp.

Me? I'm about done writing hockey. Wake me up next April. -- Richie Whitt

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.

The Dallas Stars got their pride. They got the Joe Louis Arena monkey off Marty Turco’s back. Now – believe it or not – they’re trying to get even.

For those of you that figured the Dallas Stars were primed for cremation when they fell behind the mighty Detroit Red Wings 3-0 in the NHL Western Conference Finals, the exculpation line forms right here. Behind me. As I cavalierly wrote in last week’s Dallas Observer column:

-- if the Stars win the series I'll skate around the Galleria's rink at Christmas in nothing but a black-and-green thong --

It was a joke. An outlandish, humorous, visually disturbing “what if” that had zero chance of “iffing.” Well, almost zero.

I was wrong. And, perhaps for one last night, the Dallas Stars were right on.

Stars 3, Red Wings 1 needed its share of luck. Detroit hit a post early and had a goal disallowed via a horrible call. But give Dallas credit. The Stars played last night’s Game 4 at American Airlines Center for pride. And that’s exactly what they got.

Well, that and a Game 5 Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC. Yes, I said Channel 5. See, it was worth it huh?

Face it, tonight's Game 4 could be the last game of Mike Modano's Stars-studded career. I know! It's not a guarantee, just a frightening possibility. With Detroit having sucked the drama from the series, at least it gives us some motivation to tune in to Versus at 7 p.m.

The Stars could find a way to sneak a win from the mighty Red Wings and the series could live another day or two. Or, even with a loss, Modano could decide that 18 years and 528 goals isn't enough and return next season.

Still, if Dallas loses you'd better give him an extra 10 seconds -- no, make that 10 minutes -- of adulation before he skates off the ice. Just in case.

Well, that’s what it feels like, eh?

For three games and 180 minutes over five days in two rinks your Dallas Stars have hurled their unyielding will at the Detroit Red Wings’ superior skill. It’s not that they haven’t won a game. They have never even had a lead.

Yes, it’s that lopsided.

Bless their stubborn hearts, the Stars tried everything in last night’s Game 3 loss at American Airlines Center. They came out with lots of early “jump”, twice launching shots that chipped paint in the first two minutes. They won their share of face-offs. They threw big hits, attempted to match Detroit’s open-ice finesse and even juggled their lines. They tried to turn Detroit’s ballet into a rugby scrum. But in the end, Detroit 5, Dallas 2 felt like an even bigger blowout.

The Stars are now down 0-3, and out. Out of the series. Out of ideas. Out of gas.

Good news: Dallas Stars catalyst forward Mike Ribeiro will play in tonight’s Game 3 of the NHL’s Western Conference Finals at 7 p.m. in American Airlines Center.

Bad news: Lose tonight and the Stars might as well line up for the handshake.

Ribeiro getting fined but avoiding suspension for his not-so-subtle two-handed slash of Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood was about the only good news to come out of Games 1 and 2 in Detroit. I know, Osgood clearly agitated him with the butt end of his stick up around his playoff beard and then flopped like an octopus upon absorbing a half-hearted chop to his chest pad, but Ribeiro’s loss of composure and radical retaliation was about as ridiculous as Taco Bell trying to convince us that chicks go to bars with bacon in their purses. (Insert Long John Silvers joke here if you want, but I'm not touching it.)

As if the Stars need some bulletin-board motivation, how ‘bout a little dis from Detroit’s Darren McCarty:

“"Gutless," he said of Ribeiro. “To swing your stick like a baseball bat, not just at anybody but our goalie, that's unacceptable."

The gutless Stars will not only have to be madder than Detroit tonight, but also better.

The Dallas Stars’ bandwagon – so desolate three months ago that team president Jeff Cogen was bending over backward to win back fans – is suddenly more congested than the complaint line at American Airlines.

Just as it should be. Because Dallas isn’t a sports town, but rather a winners town. And the Stars, in case you’re late to the party, are four wins from the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Stars, in their first Western Conference Finals since 2000, begin their series tonight against the hated Detroit Red Wings at 6:30 on the most obscure sports channel in the history of ever, Versus. If you find it, you’ll see a hell of a series. One that ESPN.com predicts the Red Wings will win in seven games but The Hockey News envisions the Stars winning in seven.

Me? I was at American Airlines Center in February when the Stars smothered the Red Wings, 1-0. How could I not pick Dallas in six? Actually, I can’t.

A series primer for fans ranging from life-long puck-heads, to “hey, is that frozen water?”-types and the rest of us in between:

Exciting. Excruciating. Exhausting. …

Exalting.

In an epic hockey game that climaxed a fantastic series and prompted lots of bleary eyes, Brenden Morrow scored in the fourth overtime — at 1:23 a.m. thank you very much — to give the Dallas Stars a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks and a berth in the Western Conference Finals.

After goalies Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov traded unfathomable saves for more than five hours, Stephane Robidas sent a nifty pass in the crease to Morrow, who rather casually tapped-in the series clincher and the goal that ended the eighth longest game in NHL history and the third longest in Stars’ history.

That sound you hear is coming from Buffalo. In the form of laughter.

It took almost a decade, but the hockey Gods may have finally evened the score with the Stars, as Brenden Morrow had what clearly looked like a legal goal disallowed in a Game 5 Dallas eventually lost, 3-2, in overtime.

Game 6 is tomorrow night at American Airlines Center. And suddenly the Stars, who led the series 3-0 and coughed up late leads in the last two games, have all the pressure.

In 1999, I bet you recall, the Stars' Brett Hull scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal at Buffalo while Sabres fans to this day claim he was illegally in the crease and it should’ve been no goal.

Morrow seemed to score late in the second period to make it 2-0 Dallas, but after a looooong replay review the referees ruled he scored by intentionally kicking the puck with his skate.

Again, I’m no hockey aficionado, but that was more accident than purpose.

Whatever. Hold onto your chairs. Because the Stars seem to be reaching for their throat. -- Richie Whitt