Alex the Great, Auld helps lead Dallas from behind to beat Detroit

Stars 3, Red Wings 2 (SO)

Good win for Dallas. Alex Auld finally gets another start in net with Marty Turco continuing to struggle in net, and after having 2 goals go in early turns into a brick wall. Auld had two get past him in the opening minutes of the game, neither really his fault, but then shut down the Detroit Red Wings for the game which included OT and 6 rounds in the Shootout. But Auld kept stopping everything and gaining the trust of not only his teammates, but also his coach. Crawford said after the game, “You’d have to think we’re going to come back with him.” Crawford added that he will get the chance to show what he can do and see if he can get on a roll. So not only did Auld save Dallas 2 points and a little bit of light after losing all 3 games on their road-trip, but he just penciled himself in to start for the Minnesota game Monday and possibly more starts then Turco over the next week or two. AMEN!

Prayers may be getting answered for Stars fans with the goalie situation, but injury trouble may have struck again in today’s win. Both Brendan Morrow & Jere Lehtinen left during the game with injuries and with Ribeiro already out til after the Olympic break, this is not what Dallas needs. Both are being called “upper-body” injuries and are listed day-to-day. Morrow has not been consistent recently but Dallas needs their captain in the line-up. If he needs it then give him a couple games off to rest and re-group, but hopefully he is back against Minnesota or only misses 1-2 games. Lehtinen, although I have greatly enjoyed watching him all these years, may not be seriously injured but needs to call it a career either this year or next. The last few years it seems like he is injured 4-5 times per season and is out as much as he plays. He will always be a great player and will be loved by the Stars organization, but he is 36 and will be 37 in June. We healthy 100% he is still a good player and a 2nd or 3rd liner, but we are getting close to the end of Jere’s career. It will be sad because I grew up watching so many years of him, Zubov and Modano anchoring this team, but within a year or two all of them will most likely be retired.

Good news today is that the guys who have been showing up to play recently, especially at home. Richards, Ott, Eriksson, and Modano all looked good today. Ott played strong, was physical and talkative, and ended up with his shootout chance being ruled a goal for the game-winner. Modano and Eriksson both played good with the puck and were on the ice when Dallas was creating chances. And Richards got the first goal for the Stars on the PP off a rush and a move to get to the side of Red wings goalie Jimmy Howard. Besides that he continues to play at a high level and is a threat every night to get multiple points. I know Team Canada is stacked, but I still don’t know how they completely over-looked him. The forwards were having to really pull their own way, down two guys big name guys early and having to fight from behind. But for the most part Dallas looked like the better team this afternoon, and if Dallas can put an effort like today’s up consistently then this season may not be done yet.

So enjoy the win Dallas, and be glad someone finally showed in net for us. Oh, and for tomorrow: GO COWBOYS!!!