Texas defeated Odessa 4-1 in Game 2 of the CHL conference finals to tie the series at 1-1. Brett Jaeger made 42 saves for Texas. Justin Kinnunen and Scott Sheppard each scored two goals for Texas. The series now shifts to Odessa for Game 3 on Tuesday.

1. www.star-telegram.com Sunday, April 12, 2009 11C
M
STARS SEASON IN REVIEW
By MIKE HEIKA Special to the Star-Telegram
Injuries, Avery too much for Stars
Grades Under contract and ready to roll
The Stars have committed a lot of money to their top players but still are trying
Front office
Coming off a trip to the confer- to fill key positions with youth. While they have several players locked in long
D ence finals, management became term, they also have players such as Marty Turco in the last year of their con-
blinded by the thought that agitating, tracts next season.
left-handed left wing Sean Avery was Player Pos. 2009-10 cap hit Age*
the piece the Stars needed. The union Brad Richards C $7.8 million 29
lasted only 23 games, and now the Two more years left on big contract, so Stars need big numbers
financial obligation to Avery will hin- Marty Turco G $5.7 million 34
der the Stars’ pursuit of a top de-
Can become UFA next summer but don’t expect contract extension
fenseman. Salary-cap issues forced
Mike Ribeiro C $5 million 29
them to waive winger B.J. Crombeen,
Four years left on five-year deal; he is the team’s No. 1 center
who contributed to St. Louis’ playoff
Brenden Morrow LW $4.1 million 30
drive. Brian Sutherby, Brendan Morri-
Also four more years left; should return to be Ribeiro’s sidekick
son and Steve Begin, who were picked
up to provide depth, worked out, but Mike Modano C $3.45 million 39
Dallas never solved the backup goal- Actually makes $2.25 million, but Stars will take cap hit even if he retires
tender problem. Trevor Daley D $2.3 million 25
Coaching One of Stars’ top three defensemen
Dave Tippett and his staff were
B- Fabian Brunnstrom LW $2.25 million 24
challenged by almost 400 man-
They need to see more before he becomes RFA in 2010
games lost to injury. But the Stars
Loui Eriksson RW $1.6 million 24
were in a hole before the injuries hit.
One more year at $1.6 million, so expect contract-extension talks
They seemed to sleepwalk through
Stephane Robidas D $1.5 million 32
the preseason and didn’t resolve key
Has proven to be a key part of defense
issues. Would Sean Avery fit on a top
line with Brad Richards or Mike Moda- Steve Ott C $1.425 million 27
no? Would backup goalie Tobias Ste- Proved more valuable than Sean Avery this season
phan be ready? Would Marty Turco Nicklas Grossman D $975,000 24
have another slow start? Despite a Stars goalie Marty Turco set a franchise record for games played, but that wasn’t a Final year of his contract; he will be looking for a raise
poor slow start, the Stars were con- record the Stars were looking to set. GETTY IMAGES/DAVE SANDFORD
Matt Niskanen D $850,000 22
tending for a playoff berth until fin-
Is he the team’s next No. 1 defenseman or just a solid third or fourth guy?
ishing 7-15-4. Defense Forwards
James Neal LW $821,667 22
It was a young group led by a The scoring was pretty solid. Loui
Goalies
C B Should be a solid complement to Brenden Morrow for years
If not for Marty Turco’s strong gritty veteran, Stephane Eriksson recorded 36 goals and
D Brian Sutherby C $812,5000 27
midseason run, this would have Robidas, playing above his head. rookie James Neal had 24. Mike Ribeiro
been an F. Dallas ranked 25th in goals When Dallas lost Sergei Zubov to showed he can consistently score nearly Third- or fourth-line center for next two seasons
against (3.08) and 28th in save per- hip surgery, it pushed everyone a point a game, and Steve Ott had a Tom Wandell C $600,000 22
centage (.890). That wasn’t all the up a notch. Robidas was an All- breakout season with 19 goals and Will start camp with a chance to be a part of the regular NHL roster
goalies’ fault, but Turco allowed bad Star Game participant but prob- among 46 points. The Stars need more Krys Barch RW $575,000 29
goals at bad times. Stephan never ably should not have been the depth scoring but that could happen
Will probably play out final year of his contract as depth player
stepped up and earned playing time Stars’ No. 1 defenseman. Young- next season when Brenden Morrow
Toby Petersen C $550,000 30
the way Mike Smith did two seasons sters Matt Niskanen, Trevor Daley, (knee surgery) and Brad Richards (wrist,
Could have tough time with Sutherby and Wandell now in the picture
ago. Rival teams that recovered from Nicklas Grossman and Mark Fis- hand) return healthy. Mike Modano will
Andrew Hutchinson D $550,000 29
midseason slumps (St. Louis, Nash- tric improved, which should pay likely return for his last season. He still is
Should provide experience in Cedar Park or solid seventh defenseman in NHL
ville, Columbus) did so on much off if Dallas gets a No. 1 defense- a good fit but needs to improve his
stronger goaltending than the Stars man and perhaps a healthy Zubov plus-minus, which was tied for the worst Dan Jancevski D $537,500 28
had. next season. on the team at minus-13. Physical veteran who should help anchor minor-league defense
Garrett Stafford D $537,500 29
Proved late in the season he can be counted on to boost power play
Key numbers
74 Gamesplayed, a 10 Goals6scored
Marty
Turco Feb. against
Unrestricted free agents
team record. He the Rangers, the
A season full of injuries forced the Stars to acquire some veteran depth players.
ranked second in the most since the Stars
It will be difficult for the Stars to keep all of them. Sergei Zubov and Jere Lehti-
NHL in ice time. moved to Texas.
nen will be the first key unrestricted free agents to be addressed:
Consecutive home Career
6 1,329 Player Pos. 2008-09 cap hit Age*
losses, tying a points
Sergei Zubov D $5.35 million 39
39-year-old franchise by Mike Modano. On
record. Nov. 30 he became May not decide on return until late in the summer
Goals by Loui the 31st player to
36 Jere Lehtinen RW $4 million 36
Eriksson, tied surpass 1,300. Run of injuries makes him candidate for incentive-laden contract
for the fifth-highest Goals by
24 Brendan Morrison C $2.75 million 34
total since the team James Neal,
They can only re-sign him if Mike Modano retires
moved to Texas in most by a Dallas
Darryl Sydor D $2.5 million 37
Sean Avery, left, received two game misconduct penalties in a brawl-filled 1993. Stars rookie.
Unless some players are moved, there doesn’t seem room for him
game on Nov. 1 against the Boston Bruins. NHLI/STEVE BABINEAU VIA GETTY IMAGES
Steve Begin C $1.057 million 31
Five moments to Five moments to forget Quotable Role could be filled by younger, cheaper player, so he should be gone
remember Nov. 1, 2008: Stars’ game with “He’s a great teammate. Joel Lundqvist C $725,000 27
Oct. 15, 2008: Fabian Brunn- Boston unravels in a series of He’ll do anything for the His place is probably filled by Brian Sutherby
strom becomes the third NHL brawls, and Sean Avery picks up team, he’ll do anything to Mark Parrish RW $500,000 32
player to score a hat trick in his two game misconducts. win.” Never grabbed a regular spot in the lineup; he’ll be let go
debut. Nov. 19, 2008: Backed to the wall — Brett Hull, on July 2 after
Landon Wilson RW $550,000 34
Jan. 21, 2009: Center Mike by inability to handle the salary the Stars signed Sean Avery
Could provide leadership for AHL affiliate in Cedar Park
Avery
Ribeiro gets his first hat trick, cap, the Stars lose winger B.J. to a four-year, $15.5 million
scoring three goals against Crombeen on waivers to the Blues. contract
Florida. Nov. 20, 2008: Captain Brenden “It was idiotic and stupid.
Jan. 29, 2009: Marty Turco Morrow suffers a knee injury It was one of the most embar- Restricted free agents
gets his first regular-season win against the Blackhawks, ending his rassing things I’ve seen. If Dallas has done a good job keeping its young players on pace. The Stars own
at Joe Louis Arena as the Stars season. that’s what we’re going for, the rights to these players and should be able to work out deals, if they want
complete a 3-1-0 season against Dec. 2, 2008: Sean Avery gathers then they need to find me an them back.
Detroit. the media in Calgary at the morning office job.” Player Pos. 2008-09 cap hit Age*
— Mike Modano after a brawl- Modano
Feb. 6, 2009: Stars score most skate and tells them about his old Mark Fistric D $788,889 23
goals in a game since moving to girlfriends. filled game in Boston One of the building blocks for the future, will get a new deal
Dallas as they defeat the New March 8, 2009: Dallas goes 1- “I try to build a team that has an atmo-
Chris Conner RW $500,000 26
York Rangers, 10-2. for-10 on the power play to lose a sphere where players care about each other
Could provide scoring ability for AHL affiliate in Cedar Park
Feb. 19, 2009: Ray Sawada 3-1 game to Montreal and ties the and play with each other and play with conti-
Matt Climie G $650,000 26
scores in his NHL debut on his franchise record with six consec- nuity, and I find it hard to believe that Sean
Has he worked his way into picture as possible AHL goalie?
birthday, and the Stars beat utive home losses. could come back in that dressing room and we
Tobias Stephan G $485,000 25
Edmonton 4-2 and move to March 21, 2009: Brad Richards could find that continuity again.”
29-21-7 (their best record of the returns from a right wrist injury — Coach Dave Tippett reacting to Avery’s Seems Stars are ready to look for new backup goalie
season). only to break his left hand suspension *Age at start of season.
CHL PLAYOFFS
BRAHMAS 4, ODESSA 1
CONFERENCE FINALS
(Best-of-7)
Texas, Odessa even up the score in conference finals SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Texas vs. Odessa
Game 1: Odessa 3, Texas 1
Game 2: Texas 4, Odessa 1, series tied 1-1
Tuesday: Texas at Odessa
Thursday: Texas at Odessa
a 4-1 win Saturday. The Brahmas’ 1-0 lead was
The best-of-seven series April 18: Odessa at Texas
Brahmas netminder Brett in danger of being erased a few x-April 23: Texas at Odessa
moves to Odessa for Game x-April 25: Odessa at Texas
Jaeger cleaned up all but one minutes later when Cameron
3 on Tuesday night. NORTHERN CONFERENCE
of Odessa’s 43 shots and Kin- and Ross Rouleau were penal- Colorado vs. Mississippi
Wednesday: Mississippi at Colorado
nunen and Scott Sheppard ized in succession, giving
By WILLIAM WILKERSON Friday: Mississippi at Colorado
Special to the Star-Telegram scored two goals in front of a Odessa a two-minute 5-on-3. April 21: Colorado at Mississippi
April 23: Colorado at Mississippi
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — sellout crowd of 2,369 at the But Texas’ penalty kill, which x-April 24: Colorado at Mississippi
x-April 26: Mississippi at Colorado
The lucky break was an attri- NYTEX Sports Centre. The se- had allowed five goals in 37 x-April 27: Mississippi at Colorado
x-if necessary
bute that only the Odessa ries now shifts to Odessa, postseason chances before
Jackalopes possessed Friday where Game 3 will be played Saturday, held serve and end- Saturday’s summary
Brahmas 4, Odessa 1
during their Game 1 victory Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ed the period with its lead in- Odessa............................................. 0 1 0 — 1
Texas................................................ 1 1 2 — 4
over the Texas Brahmas. “It is tough being down 1-0 tact. Odessa was 0-for-4 for FIRST PERIOD — 1, Tex, Sheppard (McLeod), 13:30.
Saturday was a completely in your building, and it was the game on the power play. Penalties: Bourbeau, Ode (Tripping), 5:09; Saunders,
Tex (Roughing), 10:33; Leveille, Ode (Slashing), 10:33;
different story. pretty much a must-win game Bernard had a great chance Rouleau, Tex (Tripping), 15:14; Cameron, Tex (Slash-
ing), 15:14; Bourbeau, Ode (Roughing) 17:32.
Whether it was Justin Kin- for us,” Jaeger said. to tie the game when he broke SECOND PERIOD — 2, Tex, Kinnunen (Deitsch, Minard),
15:09 (pp); 3, Ode, Leveille (Thinel), 19:38. Penalties:
nunen’s power-play goal off Texas made it clear from away from everyone near the Gruenke, Ode (Holding), 8:27; Banga, Tex (Roughing),
the crossbar that gave Texas a the initial faceoff that it wasn’t 13:00 mark of the second peri- 11:48; Quinn, Tex (Roughing), 11:48; Moyer, Ode
(Roughing), 11:48. Kelly, Ode (Roughing), 11:48. Ber-
2-0 lead in the second period, going to skate through anoth- od. But his slaps hot careened nard, Ode (Roughing), 13:20. Jacobsen, Tex (Hooking),
15:35.
or the shot off the crossbar by er mundane first period like it off the crossbar. Two minutes
Collin Circelli, left, looks for the puck as Brahmas players Matt Quinn THIRD PERIOD — 4, Tex - Sheppard (Deitsch, Kinnu-
nen), 6:51 (pp); 5, Tex, Kinnunen, 13:22. Penalties:
Odessa’s Kenny Bernard, it did Friday when Odessa later, Texas forward Justin Kin-
and goalie Brett Jaeger defend. SPECIAL TO THE S-T/BRANDON WADE Pierce, Ode (Too many men), 5:48. Pierce, Ode (Goalie
interference), 8:35; Deitsch, Tex (Roughing), 8:35; Thi-
was clear things were going in scored two of its three goals on nunen was able to ricochet a nel, Ode (Slashing), 9:32; Deitsch, Tex (Roughing),
favor of the Brahmas, who deflections. The Brahmas pard for an even-strength goal 3-0), who got the start over Ju- power-play goal off the top 14:57; Plante, Ode (Roughing), 14:57; Kelly, Ode (Goalie
interference) 15:28.
evened the best-of-seven were much more crisp with 13:30 into the game. He ha Toivonen. (Toivonen im- post to give the Brahmas a 2-0 SHOTS ON GOAL — Odessa 12-19-12—43; Texas
10-8-11—29. POWER PLAYS — Odessa 0 of 4; Texas 2 of
Southern Conference Finals their passes, including one squeaked it past Jackalopes proved his playoff record to 5- lead. Jason Deitsch and Craig 7. GOALIES — Odessa: Alexandre Vincent 18 shots-16
saves, Juha Toivonen 11-9. Texas: Brett Jaeger 43-42.
series at one game apiece with from Kevin McLeod to Shep- goalie Alexandre Vincent (0- 0-0 with Friday’s win.) Minard assisted.