Five for Fighting

Steve Ott suspended

I just got off the phone with Stars co-GM Les Jackson and he said Steve Ott has been suspended pending a review Monday for his match penalty at the end of Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks. That means Ott will not be in the lineup against Pittsburgh Sunday. We were told that Ott's match penalty was for gouging Travis Moen in the eye, but a suspension typically requires intent, and Ott said he felt the incident was accidental. Ott has a cast on his right hand, and if the gouging was done with his right hand, then the league could use Rule 47:15. ``Any player of goalkeeper wearing tape or any other material on his hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during an altercation will receive a match penalty in addition to any other penalties imposed, including fighting.''

_Mike Heika

Moen's nastiness

OK, I'm not the biggest hockey afficionado. But when it comes to fights, don't players have a little chat before fisticuffs, say "You wanna go" or something? Not Travis Moen. At the end of the game Moen just starts pounding on Steve Ott, who was first hit by goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Ott, who technically cannot fight because his broken right hand is still healing, ended up having to throw a few punched at the end anyway.

Yes, strange as it may sound, there is a little bit of etiquette in this hockey fighting thing.

-- Tracey Myers

Close, almost, nearly...

The Stars have had a flurry lately, starting with Mark Parrish's clanger off the crossbar. Then Brian Sutherby and James Neal put on a "let's try to beat Chris Mason" show that almost culminated in another goal. "Almost" is a popular word tonight when it comes to Stars' scoring chances.

Speaking of another "almost:" Jere Lehtinen's shot off the post on the 2 on 1. Sheesh! Lehtinen has played a fantastic game. But what else do you expect from him?

By the way, how fabulous has Steve Ott been tonight, kids?

-- Tracey Myers

Ooh, that was pretty

When Mike Ribeiro is good, he is very, very good. And he was crazy good on his setup pass on Jere Lehtinen's goal just a few moments ago. He stops (I know, that usually drives me nuts, but it was smart on this play), swings the pass and catches Lehtinen in stride. Pretty, pretty stuff, kids.

-- Tracey Myers

Some life

What could've been ugly on one end turns into a positive for the Stars. There was a long pass to a sprinting Dustin Byfuglien, who was one-on-one with Marty Turco. But Turco stalled that one, and after Trevor Daley got ahold of it he sent a long one the other way. Enter Steve Ott, who scooped it up and slipped it past Cristobal Huet at 11:31. It's something, anyway, because there hasn't been much else to smile about for the Stars today. Career-high 12th goal for Ott, and Stephane Robidas on the secondary assist.

-- Tracey Myers

It's bedlam!

It's madness here late in the third period, and of course Steve Ott is right in the middle of it. Looks like Ott got the elbow up on Oilers defenseman Tom Gilbert, and he gets the penalty for that. And the Oilers just started to unload on Otter, as I'm sure they've wanted to all night.

Then Stars D-man Nicklas Grossman pulls Ethan Moreau off the pile, then reverses him to the ice for two points (that's what you get for that in amateur wrestling, right? I'm going back to my high school days here).

Fun, fun, fun.... it's been a very physical one between these two tonight, but are we ever surprised at that? They're still working out the penalties as I type... man, one of those nights I'm glad I'm not on deadline.

-- Tracey Myers

Lehtinen with insurance

Aaah, the top line strikes again, and this time Jere Lehtinen is the beneficiary. He's in front and welcomes that Mike Ribeiro pass, putting it past Dwayne Roloson for a 4-2 lead with 8:17 remaining here in the third. Ribeiro and Steve Ott on the assists, as the Stars give themselves a little breathing room over the Oilers.

And the Oilers have yet to get a shot on goal in this period. Kind of surprised by that, but they continue to struggle with turnovers.

-- Tracey Myers

Fun stuff early

It's already entertaining in this one, with the Stars getting some sweet chances on a few Edmonton turnovers. Marty Turco made some great stops early on Erik Cole and Andrew Cogliano. And by the way, I was wrong, Juan... Ray Sawada is in, wearing #12. My bad.

-- Tracey Myers

Oh that top line

I know we talk a lot about the Ott-Ribeiro-Lehtinen trio, but there's a reason. We were just reminded of it during their last shift. They're just always generating, always keeping opponents on their toes. Jere Lehtinen just had a beauty of a chance that hit the post.

Now the bad news: Stephane Robidas takes his third penalty of the evening and the Stars are facing Vancouver power play No. 4.

-- Tracey Myers

Ah, if we could rewind...

The Stars didn't look like they were off to the most scintillating start, but the Steve Ott-Mike Ribeiro-Jere Lehtinen group was once again making things happen at the end of the period.

Oh, if Marty Turco could just have that Taylor Pyatt shot back. Very stoppable, and it should be 0-0 right now. But the Stars' one power play was pretty forgettable. Just a big bag of nothing in that one.

Now I once again go back to the Stars' starts during their winning streak. They weren't messing around, dictating in the first 20 minutes. Not seeing that tonight, didn't see it against Phoenix on Wednesday.

Cause for concern?

-- Tracey Myers