Modano Weekly Wrap-Up: Tuesday, October 15

Playing three games in four nights, Mike Modano and the Dallas Stars raced off to a fast start with two wins and a tie and five out of a possible six points.  Modano had one goal and three assists while averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time. 

Wednesday, October 9  at Colorado (Tie, 1-1)

Stat line:
Plus/minus: -1
27:20 of ice time, 43 shifts
 3:51 power play
 5:56 shorthanded
16 of 33 faceoffs won (48%)
Five shots on goal

Notes:
• Stars center Jason Arnott suffered an ankle sprain early in the first period, forcing Modano to assume additional ice time and nearing the 28-minute mark in minutes played.
• Due to his increased ice time, Modano was given the choice of sitting out practice on Thursday or Friday and chose Thursday.

Quotes:
“Modano has had his typical solid game in all three zones tonight.”
 ESPN’s Steve Levy

“The (obstruction) calls were limited as the game went along, I thought.  I was hauled down a couple times.  It was good game to have on national TV for Van Hellemond to see.  That’s what they talked about all summer.  They want to set a precedent, and you have a finish like that.”
  Modano on the new latest crackdown on obstruction (specifically hooking in the neutral zone) after he was hauled down twice late in the third period while coming out of his zone

Friday, October 11 vs. Anaheim (Stars, 4-2)

Stat line:
One goal, two assists
Plus/minus: +2
23:45 of ice time, 31 shifts
 1:52 power play
 4:35 shorthanded
18 of 27 faceoffs won (66%)
Two shots on goal

Scoring summary:
• Assisted on Bill Guerin’s power play goal at 14:05 of the second period
• Scored first goal of the season at 18:53 of the second period with assists from Guerin and Sergei Zubov
• Assisted on Guerin’s second goal (empty net) at 18:30 of the third period

Notes:
• For some reason, Mike has always enjoyed playing against Anaheim and now has 60 points in 39 games versus the Mighty Ducks in his career.
• There was some confusion as to who actually scored the goal that would be awarded to Modano. After firing a cross-ice pass to Guerin through the neutral zone, Modano continued toward the net.  Guerin blasted a shot that appeared to some to have snuck into the net, but it actually rebounded out into the slot area where Modano adjusted and slapped it home.  After a review, the goal was given to Guerin at first, then later to Modano.  In all the confusion, some in the crowd thought Guerin completed a hat trick with his empty net goal in the third period and threw hats on the ice.
• An announcement was made at the American Airlines Center that Bob’s Steak and Chop House would donate $100 for every Modano goal and $500 for every hat trick this year to the Mike Modano Foundation and Dallas Stars Foundation.

Quotes:
“We got off to a good start to, hopefully, the resurrection of our home record.  It was great at Reunion.  It was a tough building to play in.  The posh environment around here has you relaxed going into the game.  That caught up to us.  The mind-set this year is that we have to change that.”
  Modano on the AAC 2002-2003 home debut

“Hitch’s (Ken Hitchcock) and Bob (Gainey)’s systems were geared to being mistake-free and in the right position.  Here, you’ve got to keep skating and keep moving.  Dave (Tippett)’s done a great job making the transition because of the rules.”
  Modano on the Stars new system versus previous systems

Saturday, October 12 at Phoenix (Stars, 5-2)

Stat line:
One assists
Plus/minus: E
20:49 of ice time, 30 shifts
 5:07 power play
 3:42 shorthanded
18 of 31 faceoffs won (58%)
Two shots on goal

Scoring summary:
• Assisted on Bill Guerin’s power play goal at 18:45 of the third period

Notes:
• Modano drew at least three obstruction calls against Phoenix due to his speed at various points on the ice.
• On his assist to Guerin, Modano stole a clearing pass from Radoslav Suchy and quickly fired it on target to a wide open Guerin in front of the Coyotes’ net to clinch the game.

Quotes:
“Modano is more lethal when he breaks down wide than in the middle of the ice.”
 Stars color analyst, Daryl Reaugh, after Mike blew past a defender on the right side of the rink and blasted a shot off the post on the short side high