Updated July 31, 2006
Game Five:
Avalanche 5 – Stars 1Avalanche Win Series 4-1
Dallas scored first. But Colorado took full advantage of the Stars’ lax defense and questionable goaltending by Marty Turco. Exhibit A: Darby Hendrickson had three liesurely whacks at the puck before scoring the tying goal, as Turco flailed and Stars’ captain Mike Modano looked on without doing anything. That set the tone for the rest of the game, which was all Avalanche.
Peter Forsberg was a force again, with a goal and two assists. But the more intriguing story is the emergence of Colorado rookie Marek Svatos, who had three assists in the game and seven points in the series.
There were concerns about the quality of the Stars’ defensemen going into the series. But more surprising was the poor defensive play of forwards like Modano and Jere Lehtinen.
Turco allowed a couple of ugly goals. For the second straight year he follows an excellent regular season with a disappointing playoff.
This was not the most difficult game for Colorado goalie David Aebischer. But he has proven reliable throughout his first playoff series.
Game Four:Avalanche 3 – Stars 2 (2OT)
(Avalanche leads series 3-1)
Colorado blew a two-goal lead for the second straight game. This time it was Pierre Turgeon tying it for Dallas with 8:46 left, on a shot that deflected off an Avalanche defenseman. But Marek Svatos salvaged the game for Colorado, rushing the puck into the zone and down to the faceoff dot before flicking a nice wrist shot into the top corner.
Who is Marek Svatos? A 21-year-old rookie from Slovakia, not very big, drafted 227th overall in 2001. A shoulder injury limited him to four regular season games. He now has a goal and two assists in the series.
Despite failing to hold the early lead, David Aebischer was strong in net for Colorado. The Avs were outshot 43-21, including 28-9 from the second period on.
A dismal night for Stars’ captain Mike Modano. He took two of the three Dallas penalties, was among those watching Svatos score the overtime goal, and is now minus-3 for the series. Modano’s linemate, renowned defensive specialist Jere Lehtinen, is minus-4.
Game Three: Stars 4 -Avalanche 3 (OT)
(Avalanche lead series 2-1)
Colorado had a 3-1 lead midway through the second period. But the Stars, with their season effectively on the line, clawed back. It started with Scott Young's power play goal at 19:58 of the second. Phillipe Boucher tied the game with under five remaining in regulation time. And Steve Ott was the unlikely overtime hero, scoring on a breakaway for his first career playoff point.
Ott's goal began with a blocked shot in his own zone. Challenging Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote at the blue line, Ott took a shot off his leg and chased down the rebound for his breakaway.
Dallas outshot Colorado 32-17. Avalanche goaltender David Aebischer looked weak on the Dallas comeback goals.
During the regular season, Colorado lost three of 35 games in which they led after the second period.
Game Two: Avalanche 5 - Stars 2
(Avalanche lead series 2-0)
Dallas opened the scoring with a power play goal at 8:33. Colorado tied it about a minute later, and the Stars were never in the game after that.
Dallas allowed two power play goals in the first period, including the go-ahead goal with three second left. That was a killer.
A short-handed goal by Dan Hinote gave Colorado a 4-1 lead in the second.
Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic and Alex Tanguay of the Avalanche have two goals each in the series.
Game One: Avalanche 3 - Stars 1
(Avalanche leads series 1-0)
The Avalanche, a poor team in recent weeks, played well enough to win 5-1 or 6-1.
The Stars looked like fire hydrants, giving up two goals in the first 10 minutes. Blame Marty Turco's confused and flat-footed team mates.
Colorado's David Aebischer stopped 37 shots, 20 of them in the third period.
Forsberg and Sakic looked unstoppable most of the night.
The good news for Dallas: Their best players - Modano, Morrow, Lehtinen, Guerin - generated plenty of shots and good scoring chances.
Series Schedule
All Times Eastern Standard Time
* - denotes "if necessary"
Network television coverage listed in brackets.
Wednesday, April 7: Colorado 3 - Dallas 1
Friday, April 9: Colorado 5 - Dallas 2
Monday, April 12: Dallas 4 - Colorado 3 (OT)
Wednesday, April 14: Colorado 3 - Dallas 2 (2OT)
Saturday, April 17: Colorado 5 - Dallas 1
Colorado Wins series 4-1
Avalanche vs. Stars: Series Preview
Stanley Cup 2004: Analysis and Recaps of Every First Round Series
Stanley Cup 2004: First Round Schedule and Results at a Glance
