Stars prolong the inevitable

Those undertakers and their crazy sense of humour

"Inevitable? Even with the Stars' first win against the Wings, are you saying that they still have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing to the Stanley Cup final?"

Why yes, I am. Or to be more exact, my dog says that even with this potential last gasp, the Stars are still finished. If you've been following Centre Hice, you already know that my dog is never wrong. And TSN's Maggie the Monkey can go to hell for all I care.

The low-down on last night's game, courtesy of the good old AP:

"DALLAS - Maybe it was payback, maybe it was just good fortune. The Dallas Stars aren't going to quibble.

All that matters is Tomas Holmstrom's rear end - and possibly his reputation - cost the Detroit Red Wings a goal and the Stars took full advantage, avoiding the humiliation of getting swept out of the Western Conference finals.

Minutes after Detroit's lead was taken away, Dallas took its first lead of the entire series thanks in part to an officiating non-call. Then, Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow added third-period goals, sending the Stars past the Red Wings 3-1 on Wednesday night. 

Detroit lost for the first time since April 16, ending a nine-game winning streak that was the franchise's longest in a single post-season. Yet the Red Wings can always wonder how differently this game might've played out if they kept the 1-0 lead they appeared to have taken when a shot by Pavel Datsyuk hit the back of the net.

The goal was waved off immediately, with officials telling Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom that Holmstrom's backside interfered with Turco in the crease. Replays didn't necessarily confirm that, but it didn't matter because it's not a reviewable play. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said Holmstrom's history of crowding and bumping goalies - as he did to Turco earlier this series - likely factored in. 

Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg tied it just 49 seconds into the third period, but the Stars weren't about to go away that easily. Mike Modano's one-timer on a power play put Dallas back in front, then some great stops by Turco kept it that way. 

Turco beat Detroit for only third time in 21 career starts. But say this about him: He's tough when facing playoff elimination, improving to 5-4. The bigger challenge comes at Joe Louis Arena, where he's 0-9-2.

But Detroit came out defensive, taking only five shots while concentrating on defence. The Red Wings flipped over to an offensive mindset in the second period, but just couldn't get the breaks - or the official's rulings - that they needed."

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They're still playing hockey? Really?

The NHL playoffs finally got back underway with the Western Conference finals last night.

And just to prove that my dog does indeed know all, the Wings jump out to the early lead by taking the opener 4-1. Ex-Hab and former Boston gunshot victim Mike Ribeiro was serving a penalty when the Wings scored their third to pull away. Looks good on you, Mikey... especially considering your latest comments regarding your former employer. What a knob...

Team Canada scared the crap out of me, and no doubt many other Canadians, as they almost fell to Norway yesterday in the World Championships. Yikes! Team Canuck had previously run roughshod over the Norwegians. 2-1 was the fingernail-biting final. Good thing I was drinking for most of the game.

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Where would you attach the strings?

He's pretty shocked by the latest turn of events, if his photo is of any indication.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, the big news for the Centre of the Universe yesterday was the Maple Laffs firing of coach Paul Maurice. Give the guy a crummy bunch of players to work with, then blame Maurice for the team's failure. Classy. Trust me: Maurice was not part of the problem. Toe Blake couldn't have gotten more out of the one-trick pony that was the 2007-08 Laffs.

Now it's being reported that they've approached the Canucks to ask for permission to speak with recently fired GM Dave Nonis. Nonis would be brought in to handle the Leafs' managing duties through next season. In other words, they'd be replacing interim GM Cliff Fletcher with... another interim puppet.

The reason for the short-term "solution"? Could they be hoping that Nonis would simply be keeping the seat warm for Brian Burke until his contract with the Ducks runs out next year? I hope that Burke re-ups with Anaheim for a long, long time.

On to some real hockey news:

Canada will kick off the qualification round of the 2008 IIHF World Championship against Norway this afternoon after the Norwegians fought back from a 2-0 second-period deficit last night to shock Germany 3-2 and grab second place in Group C. The Canadians have dominated Norway at past world championships, winning 14 of 15 games and outscoring the Scandinavians 96-18. Look for more of the same to continue.

Other results form yesterday:

• The neutral Swiss were anything but as they doubled up Sweden 4-2. Oh Mats, where are you now?
• Finland downed Slovakia 3-2. A well-rested Teemu Selane with the winner.
• For some Canadien content, the Kostitsyn brothers each assisted on Belarus' first goal, victimizing former teammate Cristobal Huet. Do you think that thay might have an idea how to beat the guy? Belarus over France, 2-1.

Today's remaining games: Sweden/Denmark, Switzerland/Czech Republic, and U.S.A./Germany.

And (yawn...) after a few days rest, the NHL playoffs resume in Detroit today where the Dallas Stars meet the Red Wings in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. My dog says Wings in six. FYI, my dog is never wrong.

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