Stars Third Period Struggles Continue, Lose 5-3 To Sharks
By Marcus Gatto
Nov 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tyler Kennedy (81) is called for goaltender interference for his hit on Dallas Stars goalie Anders Lindback (29) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Another game, another disappointing result for the Dallas Stars and their fans. The Stars dropped a 5-3 decision to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. The loss leaves their record at 4-6-4 which is last place in the ultra-competitive central decision.
Game Recap
The Dallas Stars got off to a great start against the Sharks on Saturday night. They got two goals from Tyler Seguin only 11 minutes into the game. They controlled the first period with their speed and puck possession as we have become accustomed to. However, just before the first period came to a close, the Sharks got one back on a goal from James Sheppard.
The second period saw a lot of the same action as the first. The Stars finally broke through on the powerplay with Seguin’s 3rd goal of the game, 10th of the year. It was a powerplay goal that snapped a lengthy drought for the Stars on the man advantage.
As the third period began, the Stars had a 24-17 shot advantage. However, like in games past, the ghost of third periods came to haunt the Stars. Just over 3 minutes into the third, Stars defenceman Jordie Benn was whistled for a slashing penalty on Sharks forward Joe Pavelski. The Sharks would get within one only 11 seconds into that powerplay. It was a rebound goal scored by Patrick Marleau after Stars goaltender Anders Lindback could not control the initial shot from winger Joe Pavelski. Just under 3 minutes after the Sharks made it 3-2, Seguin was tripped up inside his own blueline by Sharks defenceman Brent Burns. There was no call on the play, and the Sharks proceeded to go the other way and even the score at 3 on a Burns one-timer from the right circle. Burns would eventually put the Sharks up 4-3 on a shot from the half wall 4 minutes later. Lindback was found scrambling around after stopping the initial shot and Burns fired a quick shot from the half wall. Lindback was out of position and the shot beat him past the glove side.
The Stars would control the rest of the period in search for a game-tying goal. Colton Sceviour, Shawn Horcoff, and Jordie Benn all had excellent chances to knot the game, but Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock stood his ground.
Joe Thornton would add the dagger to the Stars hopes when he scored into an empty net with less than a minute remaining.
The Stars ended the night with a 40-29 shot advantage.
Observations
The Stars gave up a third period lead for the fifth time this season. The same recipe for disaster in previous games was also the reason for tonight’s collapse. It starts with a penalty that they cannot kill, a bad bounce or a defender falling, and then a Stars goaltender being unable to come up with a save when the team really needed it.
Tyler Seguin scored his 5th hatrick as a Dallas Stars last night leaving him one hatrick behind the franchise leader, Mike Modano. Modano was a player who entered the league much like Seguin. He was a young exciting talent who had no trouble finding the back of the net. However, once former Stars head coach Ken Hitchock was hired, Modano became more of a two way player. This transformation was for the better of the team as Hitchock taught Modano the importance of playing both ends leading to a Stanley Cup victory. Hopefully, Stars current head coach, Lindy Ruff, came teach Seguin some of the same lessons.
Stars forward Antoine Roussel was involved in a major altercation at the end of the game. He was attacking the front of the net when he was seen delivering a body check to Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock. Roussel was consequentially pushed and shoved in the corner by all five Sharks players on the ice. He then delivered a sucker punch to Sharks defenceman Justin Braun. He was immediately given a 2 minute interference penalty, and 10 minute game misconduct. This is an incident that the NHL Player Safety department is sure to take a look at.
The Stars head back onto the road starting Tuesday night in Arizona. They will take on the Coyotes at 8pm CST.
In your opinion, what do the Stars need to do to turn around this losing streak?