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Taking control Stars lead series 3-2 after 5-2 victory in Game 5Posted: Thursday April 17, 2003 10:24 PM
DALLAS (AP) -- After playing from behind all series, the top-seeded Dallas Stars have taken control of their first-round matchup with the eighth-seeded Edmonton Oilers. Sergei Zubov scored two long goals and set up another, sending Dallas to a 5-2 victory Thursday night that puts the Stars ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Their first chance to advance comes Saturday night in Edmonton. "We've been fighting back, fighting back," said Dallas leader Mike Modano, who had a goal and two assists. "It's nice to finally get the lead in the series." The Stars, who lost the first and third games, won Game 4 by scoring twice in 23 seconds during the third period. This time, Scott Young and Zubov scored power-play goals 53 seconds apart in the first period to get things rolling. "We're happy to be starting to hit our stride," Young said. "We're playing more consistent day in and day out. The urgency is there. You can see it. We felt we really had to win this game."
Dallas goaltender Marty Turco took a shutout into the third period for the third straight game. He faced only four shots in each of the first two periods, then stopped seven of nine in the third. Edmonton's Tommy Salo made 23 saves. Turco's biggest challenge wasn't a shot, but a smash to his right leg by Georges Laraque when roaming against the boards behind the net with 1:30 left in the second period. "I was going for the puck and I just missed it," Laraque said, laughing. Turco, who missed 18 games in February and March with an injured right ankle, was shaken up but never left the ice. Fans chanted his name as he returned to his position, then he immediately showed the Oilers he was all right by skating hard out of the crease twice during an Edmonton power play. "It stung," said Turco, who didn't know what happened or who hit him because he was looking the other way. "I got whacked good." Stars coach Dave Tippett wasn't very happy about the hit. "I would define that as an attempt to injure, but the referee did not see it that way," he said. Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish said Turco is in jeopardy whenever he leaves the crease to play the puck, something he does quite often. "That's the risk you take," MacTavish said. The Stars were already up 3-0 at the time as Modano scored earlier in the second. Zubov's second goal stretched it to 4-0. Then Edmonton's Mike Comrie scored midway through the third and Eric Brewer followed with 1:52 left. The Oilers went with an empty net soon after and it cost them when Manny Malhotra scored from beyond the blue line with 27 seconds left. Although Edmonton hasn't scored in the first or second period of the last three games, MacTavish is hoping the late spurt will get the offense going for Game 6. He's already talking about being back in Dallas for Game 7 on Monday night. "I think the likelihood is good," he said. "We have the composure to go home and have a heck of a game." Edmonton's first two penalties led to Dallas goals. The first one was a double-minor on Ethan Moreau for a high stick to Young's face. With 12 seconds left in the 4-minute power play, Young took a cross-ice feed from Modano and slammed in a one-timer from the top of the left circle. "You have to be in control of your stick," Moreau said. "It's unacceptable." Seconds later, Scott Ferguson was caught hooking and Zubov made Edmonton pay by knocking in a straight-on shot from about 10 feet inside the blue line. His other goal came from well beyond the right circle on what was more of a throw at the net than an attempt. The Stars also made the Oilers pay for mistakes with the puck. Darryl Sydor, who assisted on the first two goals, made a nice defensive stop to keep the puck in the Edmonton zone before Young's goal. The power play probably would have expired if he hadn't. Zubov, who has a point in every game this series, made a nice steal at the blue line inside the Oilers' zone that led to Modano's goal. Edmonton's first goal also was set up on defense, when Dallas' Derian Hatcher had a giveaway in its zone. Laraque scooped it up and fed to Comrie. Notes: Stars forward Jason Arnott did not return after the second period. Tippett said he should return for Game 6. ... Dallas fans responded to owner Tom Hicks' request that they arrive on time for the early start. The crowd was late for Game 1. ... Edmonton speedster Jason Chimera replaced Radek Dvorak, who is out with a broken hand. |
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