Mike Modano Weekly Wrap-up: Tuesday, January 7
It was a strong week for the Stars and for Mike Modano, who extended his
scoring streak to five straight games before going pointless in a 1-1 tie with
Anaheim on Sunday. The Stars sent a strong message to its Pacific division
rivals after a home win against Edmonton to start the week. They defeated
San Jose, Los Angeles before the tie at Anaheim to earn five of six points on
the road against division foes and extend their lead to 14 points over Los
Angeles.
Tuesday, December 31 vs. Edmonton (W, 4-1)
Stat line:
One empty net goal
Plus/minus: +1
25:33 of ice time, 27
shifts
• 6:48 power play
• 2:20 shorthanded
Seven shots on
goal
11 of 28 faceoffs won (39%)
Notes:
• Modano vs. Edmonton, career: 47 games played, 26 goals, 36
assists, 62 points
• Modano’s seven shots on goal were his season-high
to date.
• Empty net goal made it 3-1; Bill Guerin added another empty
netter for the final margin of victory.
• Modano blasted a shot so hard
in the second period, it knocked the face mask off Edmonton goalie, Jussi
Markkanen, causing a loud and long ovation from the crowd.
Quotes:
“Never have (had one). I guess staying healthy is the main
thing.”
Modano when asked what his New Year’s resolution was for
2003
Thursday, January 2 at San Jose (W, 3-1)
Stat line:
One power play goal, one shorthanded assist
Plus/minus:
+1
21:51 of ice time, 27 shifts
• 0:48 power play
• 2:28
shorthanded
13 of 27 faceoffs won (48%)
Two shots on goal
Notes:
• Modano vs. San Jose, career: 42 games played, 14 goals, 26
assists, 40 points
• Mike was named the first star of the game by the
Dallas Morning News.
• In the Dallas Morning News first-half report on
the Stars season, Modano was part of the No. 1 item for both “Moment to
Remember” and “Moments to Forget.” Listed as the top moment to remember
was Modano’s 1,000th career point as part of a 4-2 win over Colorado on Nov.
15. Listed as the top moment to forget was Jeremy Roenick’s reckless hit
on Modano in Philadelphia causing Mike to miss three games with a
concussion.
Quotes:
Mike Modano was the pre-game guest with Daryl Reaugh on the Stars
telecast. Following is a transcript of the interview:
Daryl Reaugh (DR): The Hockey News annual “Most Powerful” issue just came out
and Mario Lemieux is the only player ranked ahead of you and he owns a
team. Who do you think is the most powerful person in our sport?
Mike Modano (MM): Obviously, the No. 1 and No. 2 guys on the list, (Gary)
Bettman) and (Bob) Goodenow, are the guys that keep things rolling. They
are going to be two important guys two years from now when everything comes down
with our union and collective bargaining agreement. Obviously, Mario has a
big impact, as well as Steve Yzerman. The players, when they speak and
back up what they say, that really makes an impact.
DR: Let’s talk about the power play. It’s dumbfounding that you only
have one power play goal and we are midway through the season. Is there
anything about what has gone on, or not gone on, with the power play, that has
you stuck on one power play goal?
MM: Well, I never seem to get it back when I pass it (laughs). No, I
think it’s just the way it goes. Some games I get a lot of shots and a lot
of chances and others I don’t. They overplay me a little bit and hopefully
that opens up Billy (Guerin), Ulf (Dahlen) or Zubie (Sergei Zubov) on the
shots. I’ll try and feed off those guys and start the play from my side of
the ice, move it around and find the open guy. I like passing the puck and
trying to get the guys set up. I get some shots off the rebound and
hopefully, they will start going in.
DR: Halfway through the season, this is the first time we’ve seen the San
Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars play a game which is odd.
MM: It is weird. We’re done with Detroit halfway through the year and
we have five games with San Jose. Those will be important games.
That will be 10 points with those guys and they’re starting to get things
together with the new coach and changes they have made. It may come down
to these games to decide who wins the division.
“A huge goal. A huge goal. It was a great player stepping up
and making a big play at exactly the right time.”
Stars coach Dave
Tippett on Modano’s third period goal to give the Stars a two goal lead
Saturday, January 4 at Los Angeles (W, 3-2)
Stat line:
Two assists
Plus/minus: E
21:50 of ice time, 30
shifts
• 2:41 power play
• 1:03 shorthanded
10 of 26 faceoffs
won (38%)
Three shots on goal
Notes:
• Modano vs. Los Angeles, career: 53 games played, 24 goals,
35 assists, 59 points
• This was Mike’s first multi-point game since
returning Dec. 26 from a concussion and extended his point-scoring streak to
five consecutive games.
• Modano was named the 32nd most powerful person
in hockey by The Hockey News.
Quotes:
“Each game is feeling a little better, and I have a little more jump.
I’m feeling the surroundings a little bit better and seeing the ice and how
things evolve.”
Mike Modano
“When he has concerns about the game and making the game better, he voices
those concerns. There are a lot of elite players who just go about their
business. Mike, his passion for the game comes up in those
situations.”
Stars coach Dave Tippett on Modano’s No. 32 most powerful
ranking
Sunday, January 5 at Anaheim (T, 1-1)
Stat line
Plus/minus: E
25:07 of ice time, 32 shifts
• 4:35
power play
• 4:32 shorthanded
14 of 27 faceoffs won (51%)
Two
shots on goal
Notes:
• Modano vs. Anaheim, career: 41 games played, 18 goals, 43
assists, 61 points
• This was the first game back for Modano’s regular
left winger of 2003, Ulf Dahlen, who has been sidelined with an injury.
Quotes:
“Certainly, he’s (Ulf Dahlen) one of our better players and does a
lot of things very well. You miss players like that. He gives you a
lot of quality minutes. That’s something you can never have enough
of.”
Modano on Ulf Dahlen
“We do a good job as far as pushing each other and preparing ourselves and
getting everybody ready individually so we can have a great game
otherwise. That’s the basic thing, just to keep the foot on the pedal and
keep going and keep pushing.”
Modano on the 2002-2003 team
The Week Ahead
Tuesday, January 7 vs. Los Angeles (FSN, 7:30)
Thursday, January 9 vs.
Chicago (FSN, 7:30)
Saturday, January 11 vs. Colorado (ABC, 12:00)