So, I’m not even sure what to say

Stars are now down 3-0 in the series after a 5-2 loss last night.  Only 2 teams in the history of the NHL have come back after going down 3-0.  As much as I love my team, I don’t see that happening against the Red Wings.  Granted, I’m still praying for a miracle.  The Red Wings team is a far too skilled, puck-possession team.  (Do you know how much it pains me to say that?)  The injuries that have plagued the Stars all season aren’t helping either.  While we were able to get through a few, having Lehtinen, Barnes and Boucher out at once, well we are definitely feeling that.

The Stars started out strong last night.  Nicklas Grossman scored his first NHL goal ever 15 minutes into the 1st period.  Unfortunately, his goal was bookended by goals from Datsyuckie.  Brad Richards managed to tie the game back up 3 minutes into the 2nd, but Jiri Hudler gave the Wings another lead less than 10 minutes later.

In the third period, Jitterbug gave the Wings a 2 goal lead with a short-handed goal just 1:33 into the period.  Pavel Datsyuk finished up the night with a hat trick, making the final score 5-2.

Lehtinen might not play

So, it seems there is a chance Lehtinen won’t be able to play tonight due to the leg injury suffered in game 2 Saturday.

The good news?  According to the DMN blog, if Lehtinen doesn’t play then expect Chris Conner in the lineup

CAN I JUST SAY YAY?!  Though I do want Lehtinen to return ASAP.

Stars head home down 2-0

Being that it’s Mother’s Day, I’m going to keep this a tad short.

Despite a 2-1 loss to the Wings last night, it’s definitely not over.  The Stars looked like they finally hadthemselves together.  They played tighter, and managed to keep the puck away from the Wings a good amount of time.

I’m really glad Brad Winchester is getting some playoff time now, he played extremely well against the Wings last night.  Jere Lehtinen left the game with a leg injury, and they used Eriksson on the Morrow-Ribeiro line.  Again, how many times are we going to try this combination?  It’s never really ‘clicked’ like the Morrow-Ribeiro-Miettinen line did.

The lone Dallas goal came from one of the top players this playoffs, Stéphane Robidas.  And extremely fitting that 2 of the other best players got the assists, Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro.  Marty Turco, yet again, was great.  It’s really saddening that with his great play, he still has a 0 in the win column at the Joe.  Fistric was a healthy scratch, and they played Niskanen instead.  I was a tad worried, because Niskanen hasn’t been the best in the playoffs.  However, he really impressed me.  I guess the healthy scratches for a few games gave him some insight.

In other news, Brenden Morrow’s wife, Anne-Marie, gave birth to 2 bouncing babies today.  A boy (Brady) and a girl (Mallory).  (Info thanks to Heika)

the official watching party

so its the 2nd intermission and the stars are down 2-1. they look much much better than they did thursday.

if you have a chance to make it to one you should. it definitely is a party on the plaza. its crazy and so fun. they will be holding them for every game, home and away.

A little music anyone?

The Stars announced today that when the series comes back to Dallas, they will have some live music before and during the games.

Monday, May 12th the Grammy nominated Bowling for Soup will perform at the AT&T Plaza during the pre-game Party on the Plaza.  Then during the game, Vaden Todd Lewis (of The Toadies and the Burden Brothers) will do an acoustic set from the benches between periods.

Wednesday, May 14th the Stars fans The Old 97’s will perform during the pre-game party as well as during intermissions.

That was painful

Extremely.  Stars fall 1-0 in the series after being dominated 4-1 by the Wings.  So what went wrong?  As Tippett put it after the game, you can’t put this loss on Turco, this time it was the people in front of him.

Maybe they weren’t completely recovered from the quadruple overtime played Sunday night/Monday morning.  I’m going to just tell myself that was it.  Everyone looked sluggish and spent a lot of the time standing around.  The loss on this game is completely on the Stars unable to get done what needed to be done.  Not to discredit the Red Wings, however, because they are a good good team.  The Stars hardly put up a fight though, and in doing that allowed the Red Wings to step all over them. 

So what about Saturday?  The Stars aren’t going to lay down and just let the Wings step all over them again.  I’m fully expecting them to regroup and come back as the team we saw in the first 2 rounds.  Mike Babcock mentioned that in his post game interview, that he thinks they were still a little fatigued from the draining game 6 against the Sharks and expects to come back full force Saturday.  I appreciate you giving us the benefit of the doubt Babcock.  It makes me think you might not actually be a minion of Satan.

So here’s to putting this game behind us and starting anew Saturday, please.

TO DO:

• Not take so many penalties, especially early
• Stop turning the puck over
• Move the feet
• Score goals
• Give Turco the support he needs ALL the time

Fabian Brunnstrom now a Star

Reports are coming in that today Fabian Brunnstrom has decided to sign with the Dallas Stars.

He was the kid all the teams were after, including the Detroit Red Wings.

We’re rackin’ up those Swedes.

Playoff Movies

So, I made my post about my Stars Playoff Playlist, and in the Dallas Morning News today, they had an article titled “Makings of a blockbuster” about Brenden Morrow.

In this article, it includes Brenden’s top picks for movies to watch if you’re getting ready for playoff hockey, and the film’s famous lines.

Gladiator
“At my signal, unleash hell.” - Maximus Decimus Meridius

Youngblood
“Wanna go, pretty boy?” - Racki to Dean Youngblood

Slapshot
“Get that lumber in his teeth!  Let ‘em know you’re there.” - Coach Reg Dunlop
Only please don’t do that, the last thing we need is a 4-minute hi-sticking double minor

Rudy
“No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around.” - Coach Dan Devine

Braveheart
“Your heart is free…Have the courage to follow it.” - John Wallace to young William Wallace

Again, these are in the article from the DMN, Makings of a Blockbuster, which was written by the almighty Mike Heika.

WCF Playlist

Need some music to get your blood goin?  To get your confidence up?  All season I’ve had a playlist I play every time the Stars play, and of course added a few new songs during the Playoffs.

So if you are looking for a bit of music to help calm your nerves or get you fired up, here is my personal Stars Stanley Cup Playoffs Playlist
(listed as artist-song)

• Muse - Knights of Cydonia How could you not include this?  It was only the song used in the opening video for most of 2008.  Plus, it reminds me of Guitar Hero and how can you not have a love/hate relationship with that?
• Dallas Stars Fight Song Duh
• Pendulum - Slam Most people probably have on idea why this is on here.  If you purchase the song and are still unable to recognize it, you haven’t gone to many games.  This is the song they play between the National Anthem and the puckdrop.
• AC/DC - Thunderstruck If this song doesn’t get your blood flowing when it comes to hockey, I don’t know what will.
• The Bravery - Believe This one is faily obvious, it’s basically the theme song of the playoffs.
• AC/DC - Back in Black Yet another theme song type for the playoffs this year.  Like Thunderstruck it’s sure to get your blood going.
• Go ahead and throw in the Dallas Stars Playoff versions of the 2 previous songs.  Both are available to download here.
• R Kelly - Rock Star The song used in the Mike Modano Tribute video, also the song they BLARED through Nisky’s new speakers when they presented him with his pimped out ride.
• U2 - Desire This is a favorite to be played in the AAC during games
• Van Halen - Panama Why not list this, it is one of Modano’s favorite game day songs.
• Lo Fidelity Allstars - Battleflag This was the song used in the opening video last season, and I still love it.
• Bush - Machinehead Ya, this song is just a good way to force yourself to breath.  Thanks Gavin.
• Switchfoot - Stars Duh
• Stone Sour - Through the Glass Again, duh.  That and it was used in commercials last season for the Stars
• Scooter - Maria (I Like It Loud) A BIG favorite to play in the AAC
• Gary Glitter - Rock and Roll Part 2 Because it’s nice to have a song to go with the winners mentality
• Stevie Ray Vaughan - The House is Rocking Again, it’s good to have a song to go with the winner’s mentality.

So there you have it, just a few ideas for ya.  Now I’m not saying to go download these illegally, try to purchase on iTunes (I’m pretty sure they’re all available except for the Stars exclusives of course).

Morrownator and Razor have been brought to you by…

So, if you haven’t checked out Hockey-Reference.com by now, shame on you.  It is the place to find any info you might need on teams and players.  They just opened up sponsorship of players/teams.  Yours truly has sponsored 2 of the most important people in the Stars Franchise; Brenden Morrow and Daryl “Razor” Reaugh.  I’m sure the reason behind sponsoring Brenden Morrow is obvious, he has been my favorite player for 8 years.  Razor should also be obvious, because he is made of awesome and win.  What will make him even more awesome is if I can ever get a hold of him to get my Whalers jersey signed. 

In other sad sad news, Captain Jew has sustained a knee injury and will likely need surgery.  NOOO HALPIEE!!