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Stars coach blasts top players

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The Dallas Stars' loss in Detroit was embarrassing and ugly. That's frustrating enough to coach Dave Tippett; but worse was how some of the Stars' top stars played. That, for him, was unacceptable. The Stars' "high-minute people," as Tippett called the top players, were needed to measure up to Detroit's best on Thursday. But the best, including Stars centers Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro and goaltender Marty Turco had forgettable evenings. "The difference between Detroit's top players and our top players wasn't even close," Tippett said on Friday, which the Stars spent meeting about Thursday's debacle. Tippett compared the Stars centers' outings to that of Detroit centers Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, who each finished with a goal and an assist. Tippett didn't use a raised voice in the meeting. He didn't have to. The Stars' top players have had moments and games this season, but it hasn't been consistent. Ribeiro had a some great scoring chances early against Detroit but didn't connect on any of them. Most of the consistent success has come from the Stars' supporting cast. Loui Eriksson has 21 goals. Rookie James Neal has 13. Steve Ott and Trevor Daley have been solid. But it's the others, those top-dollar players, who are expected to do a lot more.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mike Ribiero, AP Mike Ribiero, AP
January 10, 2009  07:14 AM ET

Steve Ott? Solid? The same Steve Ott who took a penalty when he threw a moronic crosscheck into Nik Kronwall's back (to 'retaliate' for Kronwall's clean hit on Ribeiro) just after the Stars had scored their first goal of the game, and were only down by three, with a chance still to climb back into it? The same stupid Steve Ott who took another stupid penalty about three minutes later? Yep, real solid... at least his rinkside seat in the sin bin gave him a solid view of the best team in hockey. Illitch should have sent down a beer and a slice of Little Caesar's for him, and charged him for a ticket.

January 10, 2009  07:18 AM ET

That's the difference between the two teams and no, Dallas' top players are not as good as Detroit's top players. Hence Detroit 3rd overall and Dallas is 23rd.

January 10, 2009  08:19 AM ET

Nothing wrong with the coach challenging the top guys.

Therrien should do that with the Pens, but he is so unemotional they have to check for a pulse.

January 10, 2009  01:57 PM ET

Hmmm! Another coach losing it in the NHL? Seems to be a recurring theme these days with coaches who're expected to be miracle workers in a water down league! Another Pat Quinn sighting coming up shortly in Dallas?

January 10, 2009  05:13 PM ET

Detroit has a way of doing things to top teams. Dallas is not the only league buster to have had difficulty with the Winged Wheels. (Check with San Jose, Chicago, and a few others.)

The Wings troubles seem to be that they don't take second tier teams seriously. Look at the also-ran teams which have beat the Wings or have lost in overtime or shootout.

This pattern continues the history of the Wings. They have frequently been eliminated in the the early rounds of the playoffs - and when they won they were not convincing. But in the conference and Cup rounds (when they made it that far), they were clearly dominant.

January 10, 2009  06:21 PM ET

Man Appleseed, I would love for the Stars to have some of the Red Wings success over the years, I think just about any team would.

January 11, 2009  01:34 PM ET

Maybe they ought to bring in some character guy to add some fire to the team...an agitator...Avery's available lol.

January 12, 2009  10:03 AM ET

I agree with "A Minor Character" with his Steve Ott assessment. The guy took them right out of the game with his stupid penalties. If that is what the Stars think of being a solid player, no wonder they are stinking up their division!

January 12, 2009  10:05 AM ET

I agree with A Minor Characters assessment of Steve Ott and his stupid penalties. I can't believe that the Stars quoted Ott as being a solid player. Now wonder they are stinking up their division!

 
January 12, 2009  10:18 AM ET

That's kind of tough comparing anyone to Hank and Pavel. But really, this year, Dallas is a second tier team, so it was good to see the Wings taking it to a team that doesn't match up with their talent right now.

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