Oilers Would Not Go Down Quietly
Yes, on paper, the series was a sweep. When you drill down a little
("drill" I get it - Oilers, drill.) what you will see is a
four-game series that all players involved would probably tell you
felt more like 10 games. Give Edmonton all the credit they deserve
- they fought as hard as they could for as long as they could.
But in the end, they came up short on the number of opportunities
that were cashed in. The Stars were able to take advantage of their
opportunities a few more times than the Oil. Look at the scores,
for Pete's sake! All games were decided by a single goal, and
neither team scored more than three times in any game.
This series was decided by defense and goaltending, no question
about it. And Ed Belfour came out on top in this series. He is a
major factor in why Dallas survived to see the second round. Eddie
was by no means brilliant, he did get a little rattled and went
swimming once or twice- but it was his stalwart efforts in game
four, especially the overtimes (yes, that was plural) that really
kept Dallas in the hunt. Belfour routinely turned away quality
scoring chances that could have very easily won it for the Oil and
sent the series to game five.
That is Belfour's Modus Operandi, after all: not a lot of flash, but
good consistency and an amazing knack for making critically key
saves at just the right time. And that is what he did. If Belfour
retains this focus into the Western Conference finals, then Dallas
is gonna be tough to beat, Jack.
Oh yeah, those overtimes. Game Four started out like the previous
three. But oh, Chester, did it ever finish differently! Before
everything was said and done, before both teams lined up to shake
hands, they played a marathon 5 hour, 20 minute contest. Yes - it
went to three overtimes. Nearly two complete games.
In what color analyst Darryl Reaugh called "maybe the best game I've
ever seen," both teams fought and played hard for every shift of
every period. It wasn't until the second overtime that things began
getting sloppy.
Think about the incredible shape these athletes are in - they played
for five hours of hockey at the NHL level! A few shifts would kill
the mere mortal out there at that level. Some of these guys (like
Sergei Zubov and Shawn Chambers) played over 60 minutes! Yes, that's
the equivalent of playing one entire game without a single shift off.
Incredible! That's the one word that kept coming to mind. Incredible,
that these guys could play at this level for this long, and still be
playing a quality game.
Of course, towards the bitter end, things were nearly comical. You
could see players falling on each other just to get the break! One
player would just collapse on another, and they would both fall to
the ice and stay there until the refs told them to get up! Yes,
they were getting pretty tired.
"It got to the point where I thought we were going to flip a coin to
decide it. ... It was a four-game sweep but it felt like it was a
seven-game series," said Stars' center Joe Nieuwendyk. The Oilers
would not yield.
It wasn't until the 17:34 mark of the third overtime period, when
Joe Nieuwendyk positioned himself in front of the net to try to
deflect a point shot from Sergei Zubov, that the game finally
(mercifully) ended. Zubov's shot hit Nieuwendyk's shin pad and
deflected past Tommy Salo.
Just like that, it was over. Salo sat there for several minutes in
stunned disbelief. That guy had the weight of a battleship on his
shoulders for the whole series. He stood on his head and
single-handedly kept the Oilers team alive. And then, what reward
did he get for that monumental effort? Watching a stinking puck
flip by you off of some guy's leg! Yeah, that'll suck.
Realistically, if Salo hadn't played that well - Dallas would have
won at least two of the four by a score of something like 4-1 or
5-2. The Stars were getting that many quality chances. Salo just
kept saying no until fate decided the series for him.
And to that end, give the Stars a ton of credit also. This team was
billed as old and slow, and wouldn't be able to handle the Oilers
youth and speed. Well guess again, Clyde! Dallas played a brilliant
series. And except for a few outmanned rushes, the Stars played
right with the young and speedy Oilers.
And, they did that without their captain (Hatcher), without one of
their leading penalty killers and best face-off men (Carbonneau),
and without their number two defenseman (Matvichuk).
So, Dallas survives to the second round. Opponent is yet to be
determined. But, it looks like the Phoenix Coyotes will have a
chance to avenge Hatcher's hit on JR. And, if that wasn't
surprising enough, it looks like Roenick has an outside chance to
play in the series! JR has been skating with the team and is
chomping at the bit to get back out there, pending doctor's
clearance. Look out, Dallas. Better button down the helmets
tightly if Phoenix comes to town. Is it too late to pick up an
enforcer off waivers?
Other Notes
* Shawn Chambers played brilliantly in the absence of Derian
Hatcher. He and Sergei Zubov held the ship together long enough for
the forwards to work their magic. Chamber's experience in the
playoffs proved invaluable in this series. Chambers was usually the
one to throw the first and last hits on the ice- all the while
playing water-tight D. Waytogo Shawn!
* Sergei Zubov was a man possessed. Old Zuby just wouldn't be
bothered by all the hubbub out there on the ice. He played with a
zero-panic level at all times, and kept on keeping on despite all
the physicality. Zubov rejuvenated the wilting power play with his
silky-smooth puck movement, and also had several key assists,
including Nieuwendyk's game and series-winner in game four. Zubov
appeared as one of the three stars in at least two of the four
games. Welcome back, Zuby! (He's nuts- I tell ya!)
* Joe Nieuwendyk has not only served as interim captain, but has
also come up with several game-winners, as well as playing with
abandon. Does this guy ever quit? He has to be one of the best
class-acts in the entire league. He is just too cool for words.
He's my hero. I'm naming my first-born after him! Go Joe! Joe is
cool! OK, you get the idea, no?
* When will Brett Hull score? Does it matter? Not as long as he
plays defensively sound. Well, Ok, it DOES matter. More on that
later. But, he has heard it from his 'mates. The following was seen
posted on Hull's locker:
"For soft hands to score goals:
1. Liberally apply baby oil to hands.
2. Rub in thoroughly.
3. Place baby powder on knob of stick.
4. Shoot between the pipes for best results."
Yep, dem's some funny boys out theyah in Dallas.
* Pat Verbeek is due to come back for game one of round two. But
coach Hitchcock has vowed not to make Verbeek's comeback at
newcomer Blake Sloan's expense.
"I don't see why we would even think about bringing him [Sloan]
out," coach Ken Hitchcock told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I
don't see that being a factor at all."
Think Sloan has impressed Hitchcock? He sure has impressed this
reporter. Remember, kids, they picked him up from the Houston Aeros
of the IHL! How many other "minor leaguers" are out there that can
give the big NHL kids a run for their money? Interesting...
Anyway, Dallas lives to see another day. Good luck, boys!
