Ummm...HELLO?!?!

So, judging from the tweets and conversations I've heard as the weekend has progressed, the sting from the Rangers' loss is starting to ease.  Don't get me wrong, there will be plenty of second guessing and now that the free agent period has begun, many scenarios of who will go where will be bountiful.  In addition, the ineptitude from the Cowboys to put a winning team together definitely helps to keep the focus on the success experienced by the Rangers, as opposed to focusing on the negative.

However, I have to say I am absolutely disgusted by the lack of attention the Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) are garnering.  There's no doubt this town is a "winner's town."  The Stars have missed the playoffs for three years in a row, so I can definitely understand where people are staying away.  I didn't even get too terribly upset when the attendance at home games struggled to break 8,000, as the Rangers were in the middle of their World Series run.  But what I don't get...what I don't accept is all the tweets of "where's basketball," and "now that baseball is over, I have nothing to watch without basketball."  Right now, the sticking point in the NBA lockout is 2%.  The owners offered the players a 50-50 split on revenue.  The players refused it, countering with 52-48.  REALLY?  TWO PERCENT?  Let's put that in perspective: if the NBA is a $1,000,000,000 industry (I'm sure it's more, but it's not even 8:00 AM, I need simple numbers), that's a difference of $20,000,000.  Kobe Bryant has made that much in the time it's taken me to type to this point (again, it's early...I'm slow)!!!  What is there to miss?  You miss watching a bunch of baby-daddies who snap and charge fans in the stands?

No thank you.  Basketball can completely disappear, and I won't blink an eye.  In fact, I may even throw a party.  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy the Mavericks won the championship last year.  Dirk Nowitski (@swish41) is about as classy as a person can be.  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) earned more respect from me than I thought possible when he brought Don Carter to accept the Larry O'Brien trophy.  But to see a complete gloss over by "sports fans" in DFW of the Stars is nauseating.  This team was picked to be dead last in the conference by almost every so-called "expert."  Not only are they NOT dead last...they're LEADING the Western Conference (tied with amazingly hot Edmonton Oilers).  This team plays an incredibly aggressive style, which is evident by the large number of penalties they've taken thus far.  They have a coach who's young and energetic and the players respond to that.  The Stars have added players at key positions such as Sheldon Souray (@SSouray), Michael Ryder (Cup winner with last year's Boston Bruins) and most recently Eric Nystrom (@enystrom23).  With last year's trade deadline pick up, Alex Goligoski (@Gollygoose33), these guys have embraced Dallas as their home, and as their team (follow them on twitter and you'll see how proud and excited they are being here). 

The experts have said there's no way this team can win without Brad Richards.  To put things in perspective, let me point out the fact that Souray...a defenseman, has as many goals AND assists as Brad Richards currently does.  This team will be just fine without Richards.  In a matter of a few weeks, the suffocating death grip of Tom Hicks will be gone, as Tom Gaglardi, a businessman from Vancouver, will have his bid accepted by the bankruptcy courts and subsequently the league and will become the team's new owner.  His first item of business will be getting rear ends in the seats.

So, embarrassed by the Cowboys?  Then quit buying tickets.  Quit going to the games.  Quit selling that place out.  The biggest statement we as a group of sports fans can make to Jerry Jones is that the product he has put together over the previous 15 years is unacceptable.  I doubt he'll field any phone calls, so the easiest way to make that statement is quit spending your money with the Cowboys.  I remember in the mid-80's only being able to watch 3-4 home games.  Why?  They stunk.  People refused to buy tickets so the games were blacked-out here in DFW.  Let me quickly explain what that means for those of you who are younger than 30: The NFL will not show a team's home game to the local market if the game is not sold out.  They would much rather you spend your money and go to the game, as they get a cut of ticket, concession and merchandise sales.  Why reward the DFW area with the Cowboys on TV, if they're not willing to buy tickets.  So, we would be treated to San Fransisco vs. Cleveland or Washington vs. Buffalo.

So, Dallas, take the $500 you would normally spend at a Cowboys game and take your WHOLE family to a Stars game...and have enough money left over to by a program, hat and a tee shirt.  This team is good.  VERY GOOD.  What are you waiting for.  Call 214-Go-Stars for tickets or contact @thesports007 for your tickets.  You can thank me later.

Where To Begin When At the End?

It's the most hypocritical aspect in ALL sports.  Game seven.  The most exciting game.  Winner-takes-all.  Then why does it suck that there is one?  Is it because the Texas Rangers were one strike away...TWICE from becoming World Series champions?  Perhaps.  Is it because in the office, all of the sudden, everyone is smarter than Ron Washington?  In their wildest dreams. 

I was taken back 11 years ago last night.  It was June 10th, 2000.  Three days prior to my 24th birthday, so we had easily 20 people over.  Also, there was this little hockey game on that night.  Two heavyweights going toe-to-toe with each other.  Neither goalie willing to blink as it would mean certain doom.  One team was five years removed from their last championship...the other was defending The Cup.  Sixty minutes wasn't enough that night.  Eighty minutes wasn't even adequate.  Then, it happened.  Blink.  It was over.  Fourteen men-turned-boys leaped over their bench wall...red sweaters swarm together in celebration.  I lean back in my chair, a single sports-tear began to trek down my right cheek.  The silence from the friends that came over was deafening.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see each of them file out into the garage...quietly...looking over their shoulder back at me.

Fast forward 11 years.  26 outs.  Two strikes.  Blink. Tied.  29 outs.  Two strikes.  Blink.  Tied.  There was no 30th out.  Now, there's 27 outs to go...again.

Six out of Eight

So, the Stars have completed their first road test of the year, heading out west and taking on divisional foes Anaheim, LA and Phoenix (with a quick stop in Columbus, OH to complete a home-and-home with the Blue Jackets).  Needless to say, the Stars were huge, garnering six out of a possible eight points.  In an odd twist, it was the game the Stars lost against Los Angeles where their best effort was stoned by the hottest goaltender in the game.  Last night, a tired Dallas team took to the slush in Phoenix and just when it looked like the two points was going to slip away by a great effort from Coyote's captain, Shane Doan (which was his 300th goal), Adam Burish hammered home a Mike Riberio chance to tie the game within the last two minutes (of course, FSSW was prompted to show the Jamie Benn goal from last year with 4.8 seconds left).  Ask any one who follows the Stars if they were pleased with four out of eight points, and they would have said sure.  Five out of eight would have been a very successful trip.  But, after an incredible effort from Stars goalie, Kari Lehtonen during the shootout, it came down to an unexpected NINTH shooter to put the extra point in Dallas' pocket: Trevor Daley.  And wouldn't you know it, the subject of much disdain from this spare blogger slipped the puck past a sprawled out Mike Smith and the Stars headed home on top of the division and...dare we say it the CONFERENCE!

On a side note, noted Stars blog, Defending Big D is putting together a Suite Night.  Tentative date is Jan. 20th.  Check out the following link for more details.  This is an incredible opportunity!

http://www.defendingbigd.com/2011/10/26/2516129/announcement-defending-big-d-suite-night-january-20th

It's Friday...There Ain't No Baseball...And You Ain't Got $&%@ To Do

OK...I know this idea might be a little hard to digest because there are those of us who have families...spouses...kids...animals, and they've all be neglected in the last 3 weeks with the championship push from the Texas Rangers.  But here's a thought...just chew on it for a while and get back to me.  As you know, there's no baseball on tonight.  It's Friday, so any college football that's on will...well, be insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  So...how's 'bout you peruse over and check out some Dallas Stars hockey tonight?  The team starts their first extended road trip of the season out west, which if you're not up to speed, is the division the Stars reside in, so these games are very important (yes, I realize game 7 in an 82 game season generally is not "very" important, but reference this entry on March 8th when the Stars host San Jose followed by the Ducks and you'll see how important this swing can be).  Tonight, the Stars go into the Honda Center Arena Duck Pond to take on reigning scoring champion and Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry and the Mighty Ducks of California (LA or Anaheim...can't keep track with their teams anymore).  The puck drops at 9:00 PM.  The kids will be in bed.  The wife will be on the phone with her mother or the husband will be setting his fantasy football lineup for the weekend.  So, really...what else do you have going on?  Besides...it'll be like having amazing phone sex with @ralphstrangis and @razor5hole coming out of your TV for 3 hours without the horrendous phone bill.  Go Stars!  We Fight!

At Least There's Hockey

So, as I sit here waiting on full computer access to be granted after returning from paternity leave, there's really nothing to look at on the interweb than hockey stuff.  I've watched the Jamie Benn Kenobi video about a dozen times.  I've been verbally tickled by Razor (@razor5hole) and chuckled at Mike Modano's (@9modano) suggestion to Rick Nash to request a trade.  I guess what's left is to look at the numbers (cause really, what would @sportssturm do).

When I last dove into the numbers, Sheldon Souray (@SSouray) was a plus-3 with 3 assists.  That was last Friday, I believe.  Today, Studly Wonderbomb is now plus-6 with one more assist and a GWG.  One thing you'll learn from reading this mind-dump of mine is that I put a LOT of stock in plus/minus.  It's the best measuring stick for an individual's performance in a team sport.  For those who may not be up to speed on how +/- is factored and why it's important, a player get's a plus-1 when he is out on the ice when his team scores an even-strength goal (five-on-five), even if he doesn't factor into the score itself.  On the flip side, when a player is on the ice and his opponent scores a five-on-five goal, those on the ice get a minus-1.  So, obviously, a higher plus-rating indicates a player is out on the ice when his team scores more often than not (or is not on the ice when his team lets in goals).

But, back to Souray.  Two of his assists could very well be goals, as two of the nuclear shots from the blue line were redirected by the Blonde Flash, Michael Ryder (yes, that's my nickname for him and may or may not become an offical nickname).  Plus, he now trails Steve Ott in penalty minutes by one.  I'll say it again, July 1 shall go down at the 3rd most magical day in franchise history behind their move to Dallas and game 6 versus Buffalo.  July 1st: The day we signed Sheldon Souray and of course, the day Razor joined twitter.

Speaking of Otter, it's easy to look to the "number one" line of Riberio-Morrow-Ryder and know that's where the production is going to come from as the season wears on.  But, after the first 6 games, it's very exciting to see Ott-Benn-Erikkson leading the team in offensive production.  Behind Souray, all three are plus-3 with Ott and Benn with 5 points and Erikkson with 4, but he does have that pretty shorty against Columbus last Saturday.

Last minute intangable: Dallas' newest Star, Eric Nystrom (@enystrom23) just tweeted: It felt awesome puttin that jersey on last night! What an honor. No feeling like winning!  This kind of leadership doesn't show up on a stat sheet.  It should be pointed out that "bigger names" left Dallas because of the ownership situation, yet guys like Souray, Nystrom and Ryder have jumped in and have just taken to this team like they've been here for years.  It's early...very early...but I'm thinking Hall of Famer, Joe Niewendyk may be at the NHL awards next year to receive some additional hardware: GM of the year if this keeps up.

Public Flogging

In an attempt to improve my writing skills to perhaps one day actually do this for a living, I could come up with superlatives and adjectives to describe this scene, but ultimately, there are none.  In fact, Daryl "Razor" Reaugh (@razor5hole) could only belt out a firm, "OHHHH!"  And when you see the youngest person in Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) history to obtain 100 points individually lobotomize five Blue Jackets, you may have a very similar response.  The Force will be with you...always.



http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=128966

Crystal Ball?

Ok, so I never try to say I'm an expert...on anything.  But, maybe Sheldon Souray read my previous blog entry about being, in my opinion, the key free agent signing this summer, cause he proceeded to "wonderbomb" the game winning goal against Columbus on Saturday en route to a dominating 4-2 victory.  Perhaps the most telling quote of the night in regards to Souray came from the captain himself, Brenden  Morrow: "You have to have a brass set to stand in front of that shot."  There ya' have it.

And We're Off and Running

Eighteen years.  Two hundred days.  Four games in the books.  Seventy-eight to go.  That's the line for your Pacific division leader, Dallas Stars.  They often say "it's a marathon, not a sprint."  That's definitely been evident these first four games.  Until last night's 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues, the Stars had scored two goals in each of their first three games.  With that lack of production, that's where a team looks over their shoulders and hopes to find a goal tender who's ready for a challenge.  At 3-0, a goals against average of 1.30 and a save percentage of 0.966, Kari Lehtonen is definitely ready to make his mark on the league as one of the elite. 

Now, before we start thinking of sending the Art Ross trophy to Mr. Lehtonen's house, let's take a step back and realize there's 78 games remaining.  But there's no doubt this team could easily be 1-3 and at the bottom looking up at the rest of the conference instead of being tied with Detroit and Colorado with 6 points.  That won't last unless this team starts finding the twine 200 feet away.

There's a new system on the ice and with several new players, the offense will take some time to gel.  The goal scorers will get theirs.  Loui Eriksson currently leads the team in the young season in goals scored.  Looks like the experts were slightly off that Eriksson would be lost with the departure of Brad Richards.  Then you've got Ott, Morrow, Jedi Benn, Fiddler and Burish with their singles.  These are the guys who have to slam it home...and they will.

The area that I'm most pleased with is with one of the newest Stars.  He brought the most excitement to me of all our aquisitions this last summer.  That would be Sheldon Souray.  He currently leads the team in +/- with a +3 and three assists.  In the practices I've attended, he has this presence around him; as if the rest of the team are in the presence of a legend...if I can be so bold.  The man is huge.  I just returned from the Frisco practice facility and during 5-on-5 transition drills, he held Eriksson down on the ice in the slot...with one hand; and he continued to be a presence, forcing one play to the perimeter. 

I start every year saying that "this team" is special.  "This" team is ALWAYS special.  According to Bill Ollerman, they're OUR...DALLAS...STARS.  The "experts" say we'll finish close to, if not dead last.  These are the same "experts" who said this team will miss Brad Richards.  This team has never been about prima donas.  Even when names like Modano and Hull and Arnott were skating the green and gold, it was never about them.  This is a "chemistry" team.  A team that, given the right molecules, will bond together to create an element that is strong and unwavering.  The "mad scientist," Glen Gulutzan has already taken the responsibility for the poor power play start.  There's a time to call our your team, and four games isn't it.  The players recognize that.  They'll want to play harder for him.  Hitch was the same way.  Even when two compounds didn't come together, they still had a common goal.  By itself, hydrogen is volitile.  Match it with some oxygen, and you have the basis of life.  This team will gel.  This team is going to create an element that the league will have to take note of.  And when the new owner emerges in a month or so, this team WILL FIGHT.