By Sarah Kwak, SI.com
Before Wednesday night's Game 4, Dallas coach Dave Tippett noted: "We've been chasing [the Red Wings] this series from the get-go." A pretty obvious observation given the Stars hadn't held a lead at any point in the first three games. But with just 22 seconds left in the second period, Dallas took a 1-0 lead into the break when Stephane Robidas' shot pulled a magic bullet, bouncing off of Detroit goalie Chris Osgood and then off of Dallas winger Loui Eriksson and then his stick before landing in the net. An admittedly ugly goal, but it gave Dallas a taste of what it's like to lead.
That taste turned out to be more like a whiff after Detroit winger Henrik Zetterberg got one past goalie Marty Turco just 49 seconds into the third. But by the end of the night, thanks to Mike Modano (pictured), the Stars sat down to a full meal, as they send the series back to Michigan and avoid the dreaded four-game sweep after beating the Red Wings 3-1 in Dallas.
If the first goal wasn't pretty, Modano's more than made up for it with a gorgeous one-timer off a pass from defenseman Sergei Zubov on a third-period power play. It was the Captain Emeritus' first goal since April 27, when he scored the winner in the second game of the San Jose series, and it was Dallas' first power-play goal since the first period of Game 2. Against Detroit, finding success with the man-advantage has been difficult for the Stars, which entered the Western Conference finals leading the league with 15 power-play goals and a 25 percent success rate. They saw that percentage drop to 21.3 after falling behind three games to Detroit; the Red Wings' power play, incidentally, pulled ahead of the Stars' going from 20.4 to 21.9 in those three game. Dallas again staring at the Red Wings' backs.
If the Stars want to play a successful game of catch-up, now down two games in the series, they'll need those two things: big contribution from their leaders and better results on the power play. They need to take advantage of opportunities when they're presented. As the first period of Wednesday's game showed, Detroit definitely knows a smart penalty from a stupid one, and when push comes to cross check, they're not afraid to take their chances in the box to avoid giving up an easy look. Ask Red Wings captain Niklas Lidstrom, who took an interference penalty about 10 minutes into the game to keep Dallas center Joel Lundqvist from getting an easy look on a developing 2-on-1 break. Against the Red Wings, teams earn wins; they don't just happen to stumble upon them, especially with how well Osgood's played this postseason.
And so, while the Stars still have plenty of ground to cover, they at the very least took a few strides in the right direction in Game 4. Gaining ground on Detroit won't be easy, but if there's a team that's familiar with do-or-die difficulty this postseason, it's certainly the Stars, who lead the league, for now, in games played. They watched their opponents in the first two rounds -- Anaheim and San Jose -- push it to six. Maybe now, it's Dallas's shot.
Kwak's Shot
On the disallowed Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, questionable would be a pretty generous characterization. The explanation was that Tomas Holmstrom's bum was interfering (or rather, inter-rear-ing...). He was indeed in Marty Turco's way, and he was glancing back over his shoulder to make sure he was perfectly aligned with the Stars goalie, but that's his job; that's where he excels. Saying he didn't think it was a bad call, Turco explained that he felt that he wasn't able to move freely to make a save of Datsyuk's shot. But Holmstrom's skates were pretty clearly out of the paint; so, unless he's been working out with Jessica Biel's trainer...
"What do you want me to say?" Detroit coach Mike Babcock said of the call after the game.
Maybe... "Hey, at least he was facing the play."
Hilary Rhoda
Tatiana Golovin
Back in Time: July 3
Manny Being Manny
Comments (46) Add A Comment
Finest game Tim Donaghy ever refereed
Wingnut65
Grand Haven , MI
Total Comments (2)
his **** was in the way? i dare him to say that to my wife!
diks23
Harmony , PA
Total Comments (12)
I need to figure out the rules for in the crease and goalie interference. Holmstrom was not in the crease and was not touching Turco - goal disallowed. Erickson is in the crease (BEFORE the puck was there) and his stick hits Osgood - goal is allowed. They say Holmstrom has a reputation of interfering with goalies, he also has a reputation of getting is **** kicked my defenses and goalies yet they hardly ever call penalties for him. The NHL sent their message when they did not suspend the Stars player for breaking his stick against Osgoods chest. For the Wings to move on they will have to beat the Stars, the refs, and the NHL.......Go Wings!!!!!
tvisnaw
Ypsilanti , MI
Total Comments (5)
I need to learn more about the rules for in the crease and goalie interference. Holmstrom is not in the crease and not touching the goalie - goal disallowed. Erickson is in the crease (BEFORE the puck) and his stick hits Osgood - goal allowed. The NHL sent their message when they did not suspend the Stars player for breaking his stick against Osgood's chest. In order for the Wings to move on in the playoffs they will have to beat the Stars, the refs, and the NHL. Go Wings.
tvisnaw
Ypsilanti , MI
Total Comments (5)
The sorry part of it all was that it changed the complextion of the whole game. This should be reviewable. The ref crew called the game with swallowed whistles. There were way too many penalties not called. It was to the point of getting players injured. You should either call the game correctly or call it evenly if you are going to make so many non calls.
joefordnproud
Romulus, MI
Total Comments (605)
Ah... poor wings fans... the refs didn't make every call your way for the first time in the playoffs and you want to cry. The Stars were raped by the officials in the first 3 games. Nice to see it go the other way. It's the finals, i say let the refs swallow their whistles! Go Stars!
HammerStriker
Total Comments (2)
HammerStriker.....how have the Stars been raped? Ott slashed Holmstrom FIVE times on the back of his legs where there is no padding, no call. Turco hits Holmstrom twice in the head, no call. Turco trips a Wings player skating through the crease, no call. So no, the refs are not making ever call for the Wings. They are actually allowing the Stars to get away with more so that the games might be closer. No one would watch if they let the Wings blow them out every game. If the refs totally swallow their whistles then the Stars would take even more cheap hits and late hits, and then it wouldn't even be a hockey game any more.
tvisnaw
Ypsilanti , MI
Total Comments (5)
Hammerstriker =Homer
joefordnproud
Romulus, MI
Total Comments (605)
LOL... here's some numbers for you... Pen's penalties to date 75, Philly's - 85, Dallas - 89, but Detroit's managed to only be called for 67. Are you trying to say that they are just that much more disciplined than anyone else still in the playoffs? Maybe, just maybe, "Hockey Town" gets away with a little more. I've never seen more phantom hooking calls in the playoffs before in my life.
HammerStriker
Total Comments (2)
that's pretty funny. the wings win 9 in a row and when they finally lose one it's a referee/nhl conspiracy. what a ****.
tonitronic
Total Comments (2)
I find it interesting that both the media & the Red Wings fans conveniently disremember Mr. Osgood whacked Robiero with the butt of his stick to initiate the much bally-hooed incident. I agree, I want an evenly called match. If so, the 5th game should be VERY Interesting!!! The Stars have finally woken up!
Stan B
Frisco, TX
Total Comments (1)
With the puck possesion the wings play and the speed at which they play the opposing teams are going to get more penalties. There is a need for these older players to hook and hold to slow them down. Any hockey fan knows that a majority of calls are made on a team that does not have the puck. Maybe if the northstars could keep up they wouldn't be getting called for so much.
joefordnproud
Romulus, MI
Total Comments (605)
Actually Detroit is a lot more disciplined. You do not see them punching/pushing players after every whistle like you do with other teams. using your numbers, the better two teams have taken less penalties. Phantom hooking calls? They show a replay of each penalty and they show the hooks, so how are they phantom?
tvisnaw
Ypsilanti , MI
Total Comments (5)
Osgood 'whacked' Robiero????? Come on, he moved his stick to disrupt Robiero from hitting Lidstrom. It was not even close to a whack. Robiero hitting Osgood hard enough to break his stick was a whack. I guess Holmstrom needs to two hand Turco every time he gets whacked by him. I am positive that Holmstrom would get suspened for it.....of course Holmstrom is more displined than that.
tvisnaw
Ypsilanti , MI
Total Comments (5)
Yah, that was a bad call. The crease doesn't mean anything any more. The rule on goalie interference is a player can't bump or block the goalie from getting into position to make a save. I'm guessing the ref thought he saw Holmstrom bump Turco on his way across to screen the shot. And a penality is not reviewable, and the moment he decides to call the penality the play is dead if the offending team has the puck. It's not when the whistle goes, it's as soon as he decides to call it.
Djimnik
Dallas, TX
Total Comments (2)
Actually Detroit is a lot more disciplined. You do not see them punching/pushing players after every whistle like you do with other teams. using your numbers, the better two teams have taken less penalties. Phantom hooking calls? They show a replay of each penalty and they show the hooks, so how are they phantom?
tvisnaw | 05/15/08, 09:31 AM
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I'm assuming you are a Wings fan. I don't have enough fingers and toes (and I have all of them) to count all of the hits that Detroit has made while leaving their feet. I've also seen TONS of hits leading with hands to the face by both teams. To say the refs are for the Stars is a complete joke. Yes, the Wings are skilled but part of their skill is how to get away with penalties uncalled.
t
visnaw | 05/15/08, 08:40 AM
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As far as Ott slashing people in the back of the legs.... DO YOU WATCH HOCKEY?! For the love of God man that is routine in hockey! The whole game (on almost all playoff games) you see sticks wacking everone any way possible that will not draw a penalty. That is playoff hockey.
The disallowed goal should have been allowed but it can't make up for the horrible allowed goal back in Detroit that could have changed the whole series for all we know (not likely because I simply believe that the Wings are better. I can admit that). All in all I think last night's refs were pretty even for once except the botched no goal.
Now as to what was written in the article. I think Sarah Kwak totally missed why the Stars won this game. The Stars played tighter and a bit better, yes but that wasn't the reason for the success. The reason was that Turco finally showed up in playoff form as he did in the previous two series. Maybe he finally got past his Detroit demons. Last night Turco was what we have seen against everyone but Detroit. He not only made the easy saves but the spectacular ones as well. Pretty much in the first 3 games if there was an odd man rush or a breakaway with only Turco to make the stop, it went in the net. Last night Turco was the wall that he has been against the Sharks and Ducks. You take away an easy shot here and there in the first 3 games and suddenly Dallas is in it. Dallas has always been a defensive team and that starts from the net out. Turco has not been up to par against the Wings until last night. That is the bottom line for me regardless of calls either way or scoring by the Stars.
TheDude
Total Comments (992)
Turco said he was crowded.. Sorry Turco only the blue part is a no fly zone..if your getting crowded by Holmstrom he's doing his job. Be prepared for the Officials to think twice after seeing and hearing from the league about the real rule for crease violation. The butt in the crease was an excuse to cover his bad call...You really didn't expect the ref to say "Sorry I made a bad call" did you.
MNHockey
Shakopee , MN
Total Comments (18)
This works out perfectly.
The refs hate the Wings, and love the Pens.
It should be easy to decide who'll win the Cup now. Assuming, of course, that the refs really can decide a series (and Wings/Pens continue through).
silars
Total Comments (1644)
I also loved Morrow's comment about how doubt might be creeping into the minds of the Red Wings...Come'on Morrow Your team had to play the best game of the season, get a no-goal from the ref's and you think doubt might be creeping into there minds...Thats Gomer talk trying to make you and the rest of the Star's feel better about themselves. The Red Wings are thinking were up 3-1 going home where Turco hasn't won a game there yet...I'm guessing Turco was having cold sweats just thinking about going back to The Joe. Also how about the typical No-Class play of Ott at the end of the game. Since he can't get Holmstom out of the crease he figured he would trip him and then get on top of him and do the "Dry Hump" like a dog!!! Please someone tell Ott to shave off that growth on the end of his chin...
MNHockey
Shakopee , MN
Total Comments (18)
I guess the Red Wings fans have not brushed up on their rules.....Straight from the rulebook:
Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal;
Now I don't agree with the "rear" was in the crease. But when Holmstrom skated through the crease and made contact with Turco before setting up in front of him should have been a penalty. So either way there shouldn't have been a goal.
GO STARS!
txrangerfan
Fort Worth , TX
Total Comments (3)
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