SensGod
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Dallas Stars accumulate 102 points and are off to the playoffs for first time under new Management.
May 10th, 2007 8:32:00 AM
Dallas, Texas. (AP) - After finishing in the draft lottery last year, the Dallas Stars have rebounded and put up a 102 point season clinching the Pacific Division.
What a year it has been for the Dallas Stars. Finishing with only 60 points last season and being in the draft lottery last year to a 102 point performance this year and one of the top seeds in the Western conference and taking home the Pacific Division title. This has been a year or turn arounds for the Stars. They started to score, they started to play defence, but not as individuals, but as a team.
There was only one stellar stand out this season. Soon to be Unrestricted Free Agent Bryan McCabe came over to the Stars early this season from the Boston Bruins and has pretty much guaranteed the Norris, Hart and Lester B. Pearson trophies with his 92 point season this year; in the top 10 in the entire league no less. It was one of the highest scoring examples by a defenceman in HFNHL history.
The rest of the Stars have been solid this year with McCabe being the only shining Star from a production stand point. Offence has come from all 4 lines this year.
Outside of the first line of Yashin, Koivu and St.Louis the supporting staff has been exceeding expectations. Dallas' 4th line center Steve Ott finished the season with an 11 goal season. Sean Horcoff finished 2nd on the team in scoring averaging just under a point per game. This might seem like much in the way of points but considering that the Stars have 7 players that broke the 50 point barrier ranging from 1st to 2nd line forwards to 1st and 2nd pairing defenceman...this team is deep and can hit you on the score card from anywhere.
The Stars have been a hard working blue collar team all year with scoring coming from all angles without leaving defence to chance. The proof in the pudding or custard which ever you prefer is in the fact that the Dallas Stars had 4 players in the top 10 in +/- this season. McCabe leading the league with a +67, Yashin +50, Koivu +46 and unheralded rookie senstation Michel Ouellet at +34. On top of this spectacular defensive output, the Stars are one of the hardest hiting teams in the HFNHL ammassing 1939 hits over the course of the season.
The Stars are a hard hitting team which will wear down any team facing them, they were also one of the most penalized teams in the HFNHL this year as well amassing 1652 penalty minutes. But, it almost seems to be advantage to them because they are also one of the most effective penalty killing teams in the HFNHL as well.
Once you get past the forwards and defence you get to face Miikka Kiprusoff in the net. He hasn't had a spectacular year statistics wise this year, but he has been a work hourse for this team and will elevate his game in the playoffs as expected.
All in all, this is one of the most well balanced teams the HFNHL has seen in a while...in the playoffs the Stars will be one of the most formidable forces from the 1st round to the Stanley Cup Finals if they can keep their team spirit together.
For the first round the Stars have drawn the San Jose Sharks. The two teams have played 6 times this season with the Stars winning 4 of the 6. Most of the games where very closely fought games with only one goal differentiating the two teams.
Offense
The Sharks top line of Elias-Forsberg-Sullivan will give the Stars defence fits as it always has, but it's the Stars scoring depth through 4 lines that has to give the nod to the Stars on the scoring front.
Defence
Once again, the Sharks boast one of the HFNHL's best tandems in Neidermeyer and Jovonovski, but after that the Sharks defence might appear a little thin when you compare it to the Stars overall non-flashy depth. The Stars have a very well balanced mix of left and right handed defenceman with some scoring and strong defensive play.
Goaltending
This is the are of this series that is going to decide the outcome. Huet is currently injured and might not be able to get back into the lineup until game 3 or 4. This series could more or less be over by the time that happens. The Stars boast one of the elite goalies in the HFNHl in Miikka Kiprusoff and if he gets chased from the net, you have to deal with John Grahame who has been one of the better backups this year in the league.
Outcome
Stars in 6
May 10th, 2007 8:32:00 AM
Dallas, Texas. (AP) - After finishing in the draft lottery last year, the Dallas Stars have rebounded and put up a 102 point season clinching the Pacific Division.
What a year it has been for the Dallas Stars. Finishing with only 60 points last season and being in the draft lottery last year to a 102 point performance this year and one of the top seeds in the Western conference and taking home the Pacific Division title. This has been a year or turn arounds for the Stars. They started to score, they started to play defence, but not as individuals, but as a team.
There was only one stellar stand out this season. Soon to be Unrestricted Free Agent Bryan McCabe came over to the Stars early this season from the Boston Bruins and has pretty much guaranteed the Norris, Hart and Lester B. Pearson trophies with his 92 point season this year; in the top 10 in the entire league no less. It was one of the highest scoring examples by a defenceman in HFNHL history.
The rest of the Stars have been solid this year with McCabe being the only shining Star from a production stand point. Offence has come from all 4 lines this year.
Outside of the first line of Yashin, Koivu and St.Louis the supporting staff has been exceeding expectations. Dallas' 4th line center Steve Ott finished the season with an 11 goal season. Sean Horcoff finished 2nd on the team in scoring averaging just under a point per game. This might seem like much in the way of points but considering that the Stars have 7 players that broke the 50 point barrier ranging from 1st to 2nd line forwards to 1st and 2nd pairing defenceman...this team is deep and can hit you on the score card from anywhere.
The Stars have been a hard working blue collar team all year with scoring coming from all angles without leaving defence to chance. The proof in the pudding or custard which ever you prefer is in the fact that the Dallas Stars had 4 players in the top 10 in +/- this season. McCabe leading the league with a +67, Yashin +50, Koivu +46 and unheralded rookie senstation Michel Ouellet at +34. On top of this spectacular defensive output, the Stars are one of the hardest hiting teams in the HFNHL ammassing 1939 hits over the course of the season.
The Stars are a hard hitting team which will wear down any team facing them, they were also one of the most penalized teams in the HFNHL this year as well amassing 1652 penalty minutes. But, it almost seems to be advantage to them because they are also one of the most effective penalty killing teams in the HFNHL as well.
Once you get past the forwards and defence you get to face Miikka Kiprusoff in the net. He hasn't had a spectacular year statistics wise this year, but he has been a work hourse for this team and will elevate his game in the playoffs as expected.
All in all, this is one of the most well balanced teams the HFNHL has seen in a while...in the playoffs the Stars will be one of the most formidable forces from the 1st round to the Stanley Cup Finals if they can keep their team spirit together.
For the first round the Stars have drawn the San Jose Sharks. The two teams have played 6 times this season with the Stars winning 4 of the 6. Most of the games where very closely fought games with only one goal differentiating the two teams.
Offense
The Sharks top line of Elias-Forsberg-Sullivan will give the Stars defence fits as it always has, but it's the Stars scoring depth through 4 lines that has to give the nod to the Stars on the scoring front.
Defence
Once again, the Sharks boast one of the HFNHL's best tandems in Neidermeyer and Jovonovski, but after that the Sharks defence might appear a little thin when you compare it to the Stars overall non-flashy depth. The Stars have a very well balanced mix of left and right handed defenceman with some scoring and strong defensive play.
Goaltending
This is the are of this series that is going to decide the outcome. Huet is currently injured and might not be able to get back into the lineup until game 3 or 4. This series could more or less be over by the time that happens. The Stars boast one of the elite goalies in the HFNHl in Miikka Kiprusoff and if he gets chased from the net, you have to deal with John Grahame who has been one of the better backups this year in the league.
Outcome
Stars in 6
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