head coach: Kevin Hitchcock

roster: C-Mike Modano, Guy Carbonneau, Joe Nieuwendyk, Bob Bassen. LW-Dave Reid, Greg Adams, Benoit Hogue, Juha Lind, Bob Errey. RW-Todd Harvey, Pat Verbeek, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jere Lehtinen, Grant Marshall. D-Derian Hatcher, Craig Ludwig, Darryl Sydor, Shawn Chambers, Richard Matvichuck, Sergei Zubov, Sergey Gusev, Craig Muni. G-Ed Belfour, Roman Turek.

injuries: Jere Lehtinen, rw (1st degree separation of shoulder, 7-14 days). Sergey Gusev, d (thigh bruise, day-to-day).

transactions: Signed d Derian Hatcher to a two-year contract. Reassigned Dan Keczmer, d, to the Michigan K-Wings(IHL). Reassigned Patrick Cote, lw, to the Michigan K-Wings (IHL).

standings:

Western Conference - Central Division
Team       GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
St Louis    9   7   1   1    15   31   18   
Detroit     9   6   1   2    14   34   19  
Dallas      9   5   3   1    11   30   20  
Phoenix     7   4   2   1     9   22   20   
Toronto     8   2   5   1     5   16   23    
Chicago     8   1   7   0     2   11   28 

game results:

10/07 at Buffalo  W 4-2
10/08 at Detroit  L 3-1
10/10 Chicago     W 7-0
10/14 Calgary     W 5-4 OT
10/16 Florida     W 4-0
10/18 at Toronto  W 5-4
10/19 at Ottawa   L 3-1

team news:

by Jim Panenka, Dallas Correspondent

Daddy's Home!

The Stars have finally ended their holdout suffering by signing Derian Hatcher to a two-year contract on October 9. There is no question that Hatcher is the captain of this team, and it's great that he's back. Joe Nieuwendyk (he's still got them mad skills) filled in very well as captain while Hatcher was sitting, but he was quietly stripped of the "C" once word of Hatcher's deal made it to coach Hitchcock.

It was much more than a symbolic gesture. Hatcher was, and is, the only leader the Stars need in the locker room. It was obvious that Zubov, Matvichuk and the other blueliners were very glad to have Hatcher's physical presence and leadership back.

OK, OK -- what they were really glad about was the fact that Hatcher could immediately assume his regular (what seems like) 40 minutes a game ice time. Another side-benefit was that the team's top defensive pairing of Hatcher-Matvichuk was reunited to tear loose at the best lines the opposing team could come up with.

The results of Hatcher's return were immediate both in the locker room, and more importantly, on the ice. The Stars trashed the Chicago Blackhawks 7-0 at home, which just happened to be the very next game after word of Hatcher's signing. Was it a coincidence that this was also the first real blowout, first shutout, and first win at home? Probably not. Hatcher didn't return in time to play in this one.

Derian showed just how happy, and ready, he was to return into the lineup the following game against Calgary, also at home. The Stars and Flames traded goals back and forth much of the game, making it a hand-wringer right until the very end.

But, with about a minute left to play, the Stars were working hard in the Flames' end. A wild flurry of turnovers resulted in the puck laying out in the high slot area, with no one around but Hatcher at the right point. Derian closed in on the biscuit like a sidewinder missile and buried a sizzling slap shot high over Roloson's shoulder. The Calgary netminder could only flinch as the shot sailed by him and thudded straight into the net-cam.

This was the game-tying goal. Dave Reid scored the game winner only a minute into the overtime period. The game would have more than likely ended up a 4-3 loss to the Flames without Hatcher's return.

But Hatch wasn't done just yet. Big Derian bagged the game winner just two games later against Toronto. The Leafs played a great game, and mostly deserved the win. If it wasn't for Hatcher's presence in the lineup, the game could have very easily meant another lost two points to Dallas. So, it was sort of an ironic justice that both of the Stars' holdouts proved their worth right after signing and rejoining the team.

Mike Modano scored the first goal of the regular season for Dallas, his first game back, which turned out to be an indication of things to come. He has since gone on to turn in a league- leading offensive performance. Modano now leads the league in goals (9), points (14), and short-handed goals (2). He is also in second place for shots on goal (38).

"The puck has just been following me around," Mike answered as an explanation for his nine-goal in six-game scoring binge.

In other news, Hatcher's return and Modano's offense helped to sparked a four- game win streak. During those four games, the Stars limited the opposition to an average of 17.5 shots on goal. This includes a new franchise record low of 12 shots on goal during the 4-0 domination over the Florida Panthers. Only 12 shots allowed on net? Come on, guys -- you have to work out Belfour a little harder than that!

What could be better than that, you ask? Well Sancho, you asked the right source for comprehensive and entertaining hockey news! The Stars now lead the league overall in fewest attempts allowed on goal with a paltry average of 19.5 shots (in eight games). Just remember, you said "oh yeah -- so what,reporter boy?" here first at LCS.

The only thing that seems to be holding the team back now is its inconsistency. One night the team works hard, wears the opponent down, and skates away with the two points. Another night, they appear to be playing well, but just well enough to more or less stay in the game. Then, the team would turn on the big third-period push to try to steal the points away from an opponent that might better deserve to win.

While that works great when you win, it isn't the formula for long-term success. As it is, Dallas is now only two games above .500, and is stuck square in the middle of the pack with 11 points. That is nowhere near the hot 6-0 start the team enjoyed last year, along with the Central Division championship later on.

But, who's to complain? You gotta take your lumps. The good with the bad. A little of 'dis, a little of 'dat. Temporary layoffs. Easy-credit ripoffs. Good times. Bad times. Ain't we lucky we got 'em?

At least it appears that the Stars could be movin' on up (to the East side) the standings soon, with a little elbow grease. The job became a little harder recently with a couple of roster changes. The worst news was that Jere Lehtinen suffered a serious shoulder separation on Oct. 18 against Toronto.

Lehtinen was a finalist for the Selke Trophy last year, and appears to be on track to repeat. Jere was in third place overall in the plus/minus category with a +8. And on the Stars, his point total of 7 (3-4-7) was good for second place only behind Modano, who leads the team with 14.

It seems a pretty safe bet that Modano's scoring tear may slow down a bit without Lehtinen on the right side. While Jere heals up for a week or two, coach Hitchcock placed Jamie Langenbrunner, one of last year's rookie sensations, out on the first line with Modo and Gus (Modano and Adams).

Langenbrunner is right up there in points with four goals and an assist, so he should be able to help chip a few in along the way. Way to play, Jamie! This guy was a steal!

Some other adjustments had to be made along the way. The Stars' penalty killing suffered for awhile when Guy Carbonneau had to sit a few games due to a neck bruise. Poor Carbo got cross-checked a few times to the head during separate games, and had to sit awhile to clear out the cobwebs.

Daryl Sydor recently had a death in the family, so he will now be out a week or so to take care of family business. In his stead, Shawn Chambers recently came back, after healing his hand injury, to take Sydor's place. Chambers played well during his return, but the Stars have to hope they didn't rush him back into the lineup too soon.

Darryl Sydor's iron-man streak has finally come to an end with his absence. Sydor had one of the longest active streaks without missing a game prior to this. If that wasn't bad enough, Sydor led the league's best defensive players in +/- with a +10. So now both Sydor and Lehtinen will lose valuable ground they had each gained up to this point with their fine play.

Lastly, the only other news concerns Dallas' two netminders. Ed Belfour has been streaky at best. He will be on fire one night, making great saves and even posting a shutout or two, but then he seems to take the night off after playing such a great game. What gives, Eddie?

Belfour was tied with Jim Carey for the league lead in shutouts with two. While that's great and all, Eddie's GAA and save percentage record places him somewhere in the middle of the pack. It appears to be purely a mental thing. The Eagle just hasn't settled into a groove yet.

But, the Stars desperately need Belfour to get settled in soon so he can lead them to the postseason. Sure, that's still a long way down the road, but Belfour's backup is not going to be the man to lead them to the Cup.

Roman Turek has played well when he gets called upon, but he will be the first to admit he has let a few softies in that he should have been able to stop. Turek's play is sound, but he still appears to lack the experience and polish to know where to always be in the nets. Turek will make the first save pretty often, but after that he sometimes ends up swimming in the crease. Roman will get better if he gets started often enough.

So, as has been said, the Stars are dealing with their ups and downs right now. They are trying to put the pieces together well enough to put up some consistent wins. Being only two games over .500 is just not good enough, considering the hot play this year of Washington and St. Louis. But, with Modano's hot streak, the team's great overall defensive play, the goals coming equally from all players (Modano excluded), and Belfour's experience and thirst for the Cup, it is still looking pretty good for this year's Stars.

And by the way, just what in the hell were the GMs thinking when they left Sergei Zubov off the All-Star ballot? Gimme a break! While Zubov may be nuts, just plain nuts(!), you can't say that he isn't one of the best 10-15 defenseman in the league. Not to mention, his "unusual" decisions while carrying the puck can be damn entertaining. Start a write-in campaign! Don't let the man hold you down! LCS power!

Some recent lines

Adams-Modano-Langenbrunner
Hogue-Nieuwendyk-Harvey
Bassen-Marshall-Lind

Ludwig-Muni
Zubov-Chambers
Hatcher-Matvichuk

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