Nick's Nicknacks

Stars still bright for playoffs
by Nick Nance, Managing Editor

 

    Only two games remain in the regular season for the Dallas Stars. This year has been a season of highs and lows, sometimes to the extreme.
    The season started out great for the Stars as they got out to an early season lead in the points race. However, injuries to important players caused the Stars to sputter for a while.
     Marty Turco, the Stars starting goalie, was sidelined for a few weeks leaving Ron Tugnutt to carry the Stars' defense. However, as most fans realize, that didn't happen.
     Since Turco has resumed playing, he has put together a rather impressive unbeaten streak of 16 games. He has resumed his dominance in his first season as a starting goalie.
     He has, for sure, been a pleasant surprise to his teammates, fans and coaches. Turco is among the league leaders in goals against average, saves and wins.
     Even bigger than the Turco injury was an injury to right-winger Bill Guerin.
     Guerin suffered a deep thigh bruise that later began hemorrhaging internally.
     He underwent emergency surgery to repair the damage.
     There was a fear at first that he might lose his leg, but team doctors prevented that from happening. And he may return this post-season.
     Pierre Turgeon of the stars suffered an ankle injury recently. Turgeon underwent successful surgery last week to repair an injured ankle. He is expected to miss at least four weeks, meaning his season is over.
     These injuries have caused the Stars to sputter despite having quality depth at every position. Center Mike Madano and defenseman Darrian Hatcher have continued to be true leaders for the Stars and their hope to again win the Stanley Cup.
     The Stars have won their division and are in a close points race with Detroit and Vancouver for the Western Conference title.
     With the playoff season rapidly approaching, fans of the Stars are ready to see their favorite team make a deep run through the playoffs.
     And to think, this team is for sale.