The American
Ducks try to bully them, but instead of succumbing to the black-shirts’ brute force, they took the high road and focused on scoring and preventing goals. They continued their potent play against the San Jose Sharks, previously favoured to go all the way, their measly two-goals-against per game is enough to promote them to the second place in the playoffs’ defence race. Much of the Stars’ success comes from their goaltender, Marty Turco, whose otherworldly play has helped the team to exorcise the demons of their many first-round exits in the past. Turco is currently sitting on a 1.88 goals-against average, a save rate of 92 percent, seven wins, and one shutout. His puck-handling prowess, universally viewed as the best in the league, has rendered the Sharks’ offence nearly impotent by sealing the lane behind the net, thereby preventing them from dumping and chasing. ‘Spectacular – I don’t know what else to say,’ lauded team captain Brenden Morrow of Turco’s playoff performance to date. ‘He’s given us a chance to win every night, and he’s made huge saves for us – saves that define the game.’ Next up for the Stars will be the Detroit Red Wings. Even though the Red Wings are playing like the team that won the President’s Trophy in the regular season, which hasn’t always been the case in recent years, the Stars know they have what it takes to make it past the legendary original-six team. ‘I like where we are,’ summed up Stars forward Brad Richards. ‘We’re in a great spot.’ Looking at the efficiency with which the Stars have disposed of their opponents thus far, it’s hard – if not impossible – to disagree with him. n
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