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Familiar situation Avs streaming with confidence heading into Game 2
Posted: Sunday May 14, 2000 08:04 PM
DALLAS (AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche know better than to get excited about beating the Dallas Stars in the opener of the Western Conference finals. After all, it didn't get them anywhere last year. Colorado wasted the momentum of a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of last year's conference finals by losing the next two games to Dallas. The Stars won the series in seven games and went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Avs, who won Game 1 of the rematch 2-0 Saturday night, are confident things will be different this time for a simple reason: They're a better team. "It's fun to see the way guys are right now, how focused and intense we are in every game and every practice," goaltender Patrick Roy said. Colorado has won 17 of 19, including 10 of 12 on the road. Since adding Ray Bourque on March 6, the Avalanche are 21-4-1 -- and he's missed the last three games with an injured left knee. Bourque could return for Game 2 Monday night, but may take advantage of the long layoff that follows and wait for Game 3 Friday night. "The way the schedule is set up is in my favor," he said. "But, believe me, if I am ready to go Monday, I'll go Monday." Dallas, meanwhile, will have to go without Brenden Morrow, who plays on the same line with Mike Modano and Brett Hull. Morrow broke his right ankle in Game 1 and is out for the playoffs. Even without Bourque's superb defense, the Avalanche won Game 1 because of the way they stopped the Stars' offense. Colorado's approach was to hit hard, hit often and not give an inch of open ice. The best example may have been in the first period when Dallas center Modano was dumped into the Avalanche bench. "It was one of the more physical games I've played in," Modano said, "but you expect that at this time of year." It isn't always expected of Colorado. Although the Avs play a style similar to the hit-hungry Stars, Colorado usually emphasizes its speed and skills over brute strength. "Our game plan is we want to rock them," defenseman Adam Foote said. Beating Dallas at its own game -- on its own ice -- speaks a lot about the Avalanche's ability. The Stars had won their last eight games at Reunion Arena. "I think it's pretty safe to say it was the start of the war," Colorado coach Bob Hartley said. Hartley was confident to use Game 1 as a testing ground for the physical philosophy because he knows his team can handle it better than they did last year. "We play better defense," he said. "We have more options in our lineup. We have a great commitment to defense from everyone." The Stars, who also believe they're better than last year, will have to show a renewed desire to avoid going to Colorado down 0-2. "I just don't think we had the necessary level of determination throughout our team," Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They have enough people that can beat you one-on-one, but when the level of determination is so high, we are going to have to have a much bigger commitment throughout our group to score." Roy ended Hull's seven-game scoring streak and the Avalanche defense held him to three shots. Modano also had three, one in each period. Joe Nieuwendyk had just one. "We need to regroup," Modano said. "We'll see how we respond on Monday."
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