Five for Fighting

Goals, goals, goals

The Stars certainly had enough of them tonight, didn't they? I think the best thing about this game was that it wasn't just the Mike Ribeiro line doing everything. Granted, when you have eight goals it's hard for it to come down to just one line.

But everyone (just about) was on the scoresheet tonight, and against a team that is known for stingy defense. How would you like to be Minnesota, though... you're coming off Christmas and you travel this morning for the game tonight. That's not a short flight, either.

Marty Turco didn't have his best night, but look at how many great ones he's had lately. We all have bad ones, so be kind. He was 9-3-0 in his last 12 starts coming into this one.

OK, folks, I'm pretty tired. Get some rest, because we've got one more holiday remaining before we all make resolutions that end by February!

Eriksson's turn

OK, I think I'm the only one who hasn't scored a goal in this game now.

Loui Eriksson gets his second of the season for an 8-3 lead. I'm guessing the last time they had this many goals was that 9-1 game against Chicago about two years ago. Sheesh.

Morrow again

That's his second of the night, and it's on the power play. That's their first seven-goal game since beating Colorado 7-5 on Feb. 11 of last season.

Think that scoring by committee deal is working?

Make it a double

Just about, anyway.

Brenden Morrow gets a rebound shot through for a 5-3 lead at 8:12. Just 14 seconds later, Mike Modano one-times one from a Steve Ott pass for a 6-3 advantage. Mo's shot just trickled over the line, but it was definitely enough to count.

They should have enough breathing room now.

Craziness continues

It was just too long of a lapse without a goal from the opposition. This one was a pretty nice shot, not sure if Robidas screened Turco, but Demitra just placed it perfectly off the inside of the post and in. You could hear the ping all the way up here.

It's 4-3, at 8:13.

Barnes' turn

Thought it was Krys Barch but is indeed Stu Barnes', as it was his pass/shot that went off Brent Burns and in. That's his second in as many games, and the Stars are up 2-0.

Waiting for the Stuuuuuu....

A little crazy

That was an interesting 20 minutes, wasn't it? The Stars are  looking like they're running on some high energy right now, and it's never bad to see a lot of players involved in the scoring. Marty's looking a little rusty right now, so we'll see how he settles in during the next two periods.

By the way, Halpern's shorty was his first since 2002-03, when he had two.

Halpern with the shorty

Told you the wildness was going to continue. Steve Ott gets a turnover, looks like he's got a shot but he loses the puck... Halpern gets it and slips it under a prone Harding at 9:33.

Now how long can they keep the lead?!

Just when it was safe...

OK, that didn't take long.

Pavol Demitra comes down the boards and hits a shot at a strange angle, and it looks like it goes off the inside of Turco's leg and in. Didn't look like it was one that should've been given up.

Looks like we've got a wild one awaiting us tonight.

Ribeiro again

He takes the hit at center ice, holds on and slips one through Josh Harding at 6:20. Great pass by Morrow, and Ribeiro was all alone. No doubt who wins that matchup.