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