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Relieved Dallas nervous about Modano Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday June 11, 1999 01:43 AM   Modano (right) entered Thursday’s game with 18 playoff points. AP By Denise N. Maloof, CNN/SI DALLAS (CNN/SI) -- Relief was the most obvious emotion in the Dallas locker room following Thursday's Game 3 win over Buffalo, followed by a slight nervousness about Mike Modano's sore wrist. Midway through the third period, Buffalo's Jay McKee plowed the Stars' center against the boards in the Buffalo zone. Modano winced, grabbed his right wrist and immediately skated for the Stars' bench exit. He didn't return, missing linemate Brett Hull's game-winner at 17:10, and was pronounced day-to-day by the Stars' medical staff after the game. "It's pretty tender and sore, and a little swollen right now," Modano said, calling McKee's play a clean one. "I put up hands to protect myself, and got my elbow lodged in the boards." "We will have a better evaluation tomorrow," said Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock. Teammates were aware of Modano's absence, but did fine without him thanks to Hull. Modano entered Thursday's game tied with Joe Nieuwendyk for the team lead in playoff points (18). "You notice when he's gone, but there wasn't a lot of time to think about it," Hull said. "It's too bad it has to happen now, but we'll make do," captain Derian Hatcher said of the possibility that Modano might miss Saturday's Game 3 in Buffalo. Otherwise, there was verbal back patting all around, particularly after Tuesday's Game 1 loss. "You didn't want to go down 2-0 against team like that and goalie like that," defenseman Richard Matvichuk said. "It's a great feeling and that's the way we have to play," said goalie Ed Belfour, who stopped 19 of 21 shots. But the last laugh was Hull's, who joked of his soft wrister over Hasek's shoulder, "I just buried by head and shot it hard. The harder you shoot it, you've got more of a chance of going in. I guess it's like swinging a golf club. You've got more of a chance of it going into the woods, too."   Related information Stories Stars beat Sabres 4-2, even series 1-1 CNN/SI's Jim Kelley: Colorado lacked killer instinct Stars, Sabres see Stanley Cup as status symbol Day at a Glance: Behold, the Cup! Woolley's OT goal gives Sabres 3-2 win over Stars Notebook: Hasek hears it, then he doesn't Stats Sabres-Stars Game Summary Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.

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