Mike Modano Weekly Wrap-Up: February 25, 2003

It was a double “sister-kisser” end to the Stars recent extended homestand with ties against Western Conference foes Calgary and Phoenix.  On Sunday, the Stars took to the road and easily handled the Chicago Blackhawks with a shutout for the second time this season in the Windy City behind two Mike Modano goals.  Stars head coach Dave Tippett shook up his lines quite a bit, playing Modano with Pierre Turgeon and Scott Young as well as Young and Jere Lehtinen.

Wednesday, February 19 vs. Calgary (Tie, 1-1)

Stat line:
One assist
Plus/minus: +1
23:04 of ice time, 34 shifts
• 4:29 power play
• 2:56 shorthanded
8 of 22 faceoffs won (36%)
One shot on goal

Notes:
• Modano vs. Calgary, career: 49 games, 20 goals, 27 assists, 47 points
• Much was made of threats by the Calgary Flames team regarding coming after Modano in retaliation for actions they took offense to the last time these two teams played.  Flames defenseman Bob Boughner did make a run at Modano, slamming from behind into the boards and incurring the wrath of Bill Guerin, who took to his teammate’s defense.  Modano escaped without injury.

Quotes:
“Certainly players are told to play like that.  If they’re not, they’re not going to be playing.  A lot of it is a reflection on what the coach says and how they’re told to play the game.”
 Modano on Boughner’s hit and his opinion that coaches should be held responsible for player’s actions in these circumstances as well

Friday, February 21 vs. Phoenix (T, 2-2)

Stat line:
Plus/minus: E
18:25 of ice time, 26 shifts
• 2:49 power play
• 0:45 shorthanded
10 of 16 faceoffs won (62%)
One shot on goal

Notes:
• Modano vs. Phoenix, career: 61 games, 28 goals, 44 assists, 72 points

Quotes:
“I don’t concern myself with that stuff.  If the MVP happens, it happens.  There’s a lot of great players out there who are worthy of the award.”
 Modano on talk of him being a candidate for MVP honors in the NHL

“In our view, for what he’s done for the team, you have to put him at the top of the list.  I just look at all he’s done for our team.  We have one of the top teams in the league and he’s the top player.  If he’s that good and the team is as successful as it is, that means he’s dragging a lot of people with him.  To me, that’s what should dictate who gets MVP.”
 Stars head coach Dave Tippett

Sunday, February 23 at Chicago (W, 3-0)

Stat line:
Two goals
Plus/minus: +2
19:32 of ice time, 28 shifts
• 3:03 power play
• 0:00 shorthanded
8 of 14 faceoffs won (57%)
Two shots on goal

Notes:
• Modano vs. Chicago, career: 74 games, 29 goals, 37 assists, 66 points
• Modano was named the No. 1 star by the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. His line produced all of the Stars scoring.

Quotes:
“We talked about getting off to a good start on the road.  Mike was the guy on the scoresheet, but we got a lot of contributions from a lot of people.”
 Stars head coach Dave Tippett

“The third goal was big because 2-0 cane be a tough lead to hold, especially if the other team gets one goal.  In the third period, we hung back a bit more and got a little conservative.  That’s why we were outshot (8-1).”
 Mike Modano

“We’ve had a lot of lucky things happen to us, fortunate breaks during the course of games, and, timely things have happened throughout the year to give us points or wins.  We feel like we have some momentum building; no one can really put a finger on it.  This team is pretty similar (to the 1998-99 Stanley Cup Champions).  We’re deep, four lines, great defense, a couple of great goalies, special teams, it’s all very comparable.  Goals against, goals for, we’re right there.  It just depends.  We had a lot of urgency that year; it was Cup or bust.  We had that attitude all year, and we kind of have it this year, too.”
 Mike Modano

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, February 25 at Boston (6:00, KDFI-Ch. 27)
Thursday, February 27 at Ottawa (6:30, FSN) 
Friday, February 28 at Buffalo (6:00, FSN)
Sunday, March 2 vs. Pittsburgh (7:30, ESPN)