Dallas Stars Vs. St. Louis Blues: Ken's Live Game Log

Dallas Stars @ St. Louis Blues (Preseason)

Pre-game Notes:

-         Tobias Stephan is expected to be the starter in net for Dallas.

-         Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen, Stephane Robidas, Brenden Morrow, Marty Turco and Mike Ribeiro are not thought to have made the trip.

-         B.J. Crombeen could have a bit of a lead over James Neal and Ray Sawada in the fight to make the last cut for the big club.

How staff writer Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News sees the Stars' lines starting the season (not for tonight):

First line: Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro, Jere Lehtinen

Comment: Last season's dynamic trio was one of the best lines in the league when healthy. It has looked great in practice so far.

Second line: Mike Modano, Brad Richards, Sean Avery

Comment: Moving Modano to left wing could create a solid offensive attack line. Richards should be able to create shots for Modano's one-timer.

Third line: Steve Ott, Joel Lundqvist, Loui Eriksson

Comment: Lundqvist and Eriksson have great chemistry, and Ott adds grit on the checking line.

Fourth line: Fabian Brunnstrom, Toby Petersen, Krys Barch

Comment: A mix of skill and grit, this line could add some unexpected offensive punch.

Live Game notes from Ken Armer:

:50 Andy McDonald scores a goal 50 seconds in…no surprise there.

3:09 Loui Eriksson scores to tie the game on the powerplay

After tying the game the Stars haven’t produced many shots. On STL second PP the Stars have been outshot 8-2

16:29 Daley makes it a 5 on 3 with a (stupid) slashing penalty

Andy Mac is clearly a big presence for the Blues, he is consistently out there on the PP.

17:37 Stempniak of the Blues scores a power play goal, making it 2-1. So far I’m not enjoying the play of Stephan.

            The Blues announcers are majorly biased and have nothing nice to say about Sean Avery.

18:54 Krys Barch gets tossed after an instigator, fighting and a 10 minute misconduct penalty.

1^st Intermission –

Apparently the Blues vs. Kings Game in Kansas City was a huge success, which only makes me more hopeful hockey in Kansas City isn’t too far away in the future.

2^nd Period –

1:05 Daley called for hooking, another stupid penalty, man I’m glad I put him on my fantasy team. (Even though PIM are good in my league stupid penalties piss me off)

1:36 Avery called for high-sticking, he has been really chirpy tonight, I’m hoping for a fight

2:17 PP goal by Brad Boyes, assisted by Andy Mac, the Stars have managed 4 SOG to this point.

3:38 Stempniak called for high-sticking, he nailed Richards in the face…

6:43 Crombeen is showing he wants to stay in the pros, with a fight against Jackman

16:55 Tkachuk and Avery both high-stick each other, on the radio I overhear a Blues fan say “Oh Come On!” Now that is humor, I already like Sean Avery as a Star!

18:53 Steve Ott takes a hooking call, I like this new feisty Stars

2^nd Intermission – Stars down 3-1

In between comments here I’m working on a computer science assignment due tomorrow, how fun right?

3^rd Period –

Climie is in goal for the Stars now

I’m pretty boring half way through the period, lets face it folks, pre-season hockey on the radio blows.

10:51 Krys Barch takes a five minute fighting call, he took on Dan Hinote. Not bad for Barch, he is clearly showing he wants to earn a permanent spot.

16:01 Sean Avery scores a goal to make it 3-2 and then takes a swing at a Blues player! Ha-ha I love this guy!!! Welcome to Dallas Mr. Avery!

16:01 Ott credited with a fighting major against Jackman, and Janssen of the Blues is given a 2 minute roughing minor. Avery gets a roughing as well as a 10 minute misconduct and Ott receivers a 2 minute misconduct. Janssen of the Blues joins Avery with a 10 minute misconduct. (Man this has been a fun game for those refs)

            As they sort out the penalties on the radio, the Blues radio commentator comments Richards is wearing the “C” for Dallas.

:56 left and I am bored of this game, have been for a while. Without a doubt pre-season hockey sucks. Especially listening to the other team’s radio people, but it is better than nothing.

-         Buzzer sounds and the Blues win 3-2

The Stars battled back after going down by two early, had the full team been there this likely would have been very different. I like the aggression the Stars showed, toughness is something they needed to gain after last season. Stephan in net makes me worry a bit, but starting in net and it being preseason game 1 may have caused nerves.

Ken’s Three Stars:

1. Andy McDonald - was involved a lot in tonight’s game for the Blues, scoring a goal and an assist. He looks to be at home in St. Louis and a real go to guy on this team.
2. Sean Avery – He was such a pain in the rear the fans didn’t like him, you’d think he might be quit in preseason but you would be wrong. Avery came ready to play, and scored a goal before getting tossed. Kudo’s to you, my well dressed enforcer!
3. Krys Barch – five penalties from Barch shows he wants a permanent fourth line spot.

NHL.com’s Game Summary: it provides better stats then me

Image: Courtesy of Dallas Stars website