Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Violence widens ahead of Greek austerity vote

Stars finally shine in OT, stay alive vs. Canucks

Morrow's power play goal ends scoreless duel, cuts Vancouver's edge to 3-2

Game 5 - Dallas Stars v Vancouver Canucks Getty Images
Dallas' Brenden Morrow celebrates his overtime goal against Vancouver on Thursday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Marty Turco waited more than three years to celebrate in overtime of a playoff game, so he didn’t mind missing Thursday night’s winning goal too much.

Turco made 21 saves before Brenden Morrow scored a power-play goal 6:22 into overtime to lead the Dallas Stars to a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and avoid being knocked out in five games for a third straight playoffs.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a playoff hero in the locker room with me,” said Turco, who had lost six straight in overtime since the first round of 2004. “I was kind of sad. I didn’t really see it go in. You kind of want to see it go in. I just saw it in the air, so I was double-checking with the ref.”

Sure enough, the referee was pointing into the net to signal a goal after Morrow cruised through the slot and deflected Sergei Zubov’s point shot off Roberto Luongo, then up and over the goaltender and into the net.

“Marty has been unbelievable,” Morrow said of Turco, whose overtime losing streak included two in this series alone, starting with a four-overtime, 51-save marathon in Game 1. “He’s given us a chance to win and he’s just sitting back there waiting for someone to step up, and we earned our break tonight.”

They had to against Luongo, who kept the Canucks alive early in overtime with a big glove stop on Mattias Norstrom’s shot from the slot 1:46 in, and a shoulder save on Jeff Halpern from the same range two minutes later. But Sami Salo was called for too many men on the ice after jumping on the ice to break up a two-on-none break and the Stars’ power play, which was 2-for-28 in the series, finally clicked.

“It was do or die and tonight we were all about the do,” said Turco after his second shutout of the series — and his career.

Still up 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal, the Canucks get another chance to clinch Saturday night in Dallas, where the Stars have lost both games in this series and six straight overall — one shy of a NHL playoff record.

“This is what it’s all about,” said center Bryan Smolinski. “We have three tries to do this. It didn’t happen tonight. Now it’s in the past and we move on.”

Turco kept the Stars in the game early, getting a piece of Smolinski’s short-range shot with his glove on a rare three-on-one rush just 28 seconds in. He also made big stops on Salo and Markus Naslund on a power play two minutes in, and a diving, stacked-pads stop on Henrik Sedin’s rebound chance from atop the crease.

“Marty gave us a chance to win,” said Morrow.

Luongo took over the starring role when the Stars took control of the play in the second period, outshooting Vancouver 12-3. Luongo made a dazzling stop on Morrow alone in close, sliding to his right after Mike Modano s pass from behind the net. He also got a glove on Joel Lundqvist’s shot from the faceoff circle and poke-checked Mike Ribeiro cutting in alone off the wing.

“Both goalies were excellent. That’s just what’s happening in the series,” said Stars coach Dave Tippett, noting both teams had now scored nine goals. “It just goes to show how even the teams are, how well the goaltenders are playing.”

The Stars came agonizingly close to scoring on their own goal on a delayed penalty against the Canucks 1:37 into the third period. With Turco already off for an extra attacker, Loui Eriksson’s pass back to the point missed his teammate and banked toward the empty Dallas net, deflecting off the outside of the post.

“It looked center cut to me sitting on the bench,” said Turco. “You just have to close your eyes and pray. It stayed out and right from then, that whole possibility of tonight was our night, and sure enough it was.”

Notes: Stars forward Eric Lindros returned after missing the last 20 games with a groin injury, with Antti Miettinen sitting out to make room. Dallas LW Jussi Jokinen did not make the trip to Vancouver after suffering an upper body injury in Game 4 and was replaced by Eriksson. ... Dallas has trailed 3-1 in a series 12 times in franchise history and never managed to come back. ... The Canucks have come back from a 3-1 series deficit three times, and blown it once. ... If necessary, Game 7 will be played in Vancouver on Monday night. ... After combining for nine goals in Game 1, the teams have combined for just nine goals in the next four games.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
More news
Washington Capitals v New York Rangers
NHLI via Getty Images
Rangers extend lead in East

Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

Washington Capitals v New York Rangers
NBC Sports
Highlights: Capitals - Rangers

  Check out highlights from the Rangers 3-2 win over the Capitals.

Video: NHL from NBC Sports
Washington Capitals v New York Rangers
NHLI via Getty Images
Highlights: Capitals - Rangers
Check out highlights from the Rangers 3-2 win over the Capitals.

Slideshow
Image: Chicago Blackhawks Marian Hossa of Team Chara celebrates his goal with New York Rangers Marion Gaborik during the NHL All-Star hockey game in Ottawa
  NHL All-Stars
Take a look at the players who competed in Team Chara's 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Stanley Cup Finals - Pittsburgh Penguins v Detroit Red Wings - Game Seven
  Sid the Kid
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has gone from phenom to Stanley Cup champion.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Washington Capitals Ovechkin celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during Game 5 in Washington
  Alexander the Great
Take a look at Capitals star and two-time MVP Alexander Ovechkin

more photos

Slideshow
Pamela Anderson
  Celebrity fans
Some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities take in NHL games.
Slideshow
Colorado Avalanche v Anaheim Ducks
  Icy Hot
Check out the ice girls from around the National Hockey League.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos