Stars Shine In The Fourth Overtime

Last night (Sunday), I was able to stay awake for a marvelous Stars/Sharks game. You all know by now that the Stars finished off the game at 9:03 of the 4th overtime on a retribution goal by Brendan Morrow to win 2-1. I suppose it was fate for him to score after having a goal taken back for "kicking" the puck in the net a few nights earlier. It makes you wonder what the hell goes on in Toronto when arenas call in a questionable play. Remember that game (i forget which) against the Bruins when a player on the opposition clearly made a kicking motion but, the big wigs in Toronto still called it a goal? I know I do (clearly, because I can vividly recall all the details...). Anyhow, I feel like the committee is a bunch of high class, stuck up, rich, pompous slack jobs who flip a coin whenever a "kicking motion" is being questioned. All of this is obviously done while drinking of course, probably fancy martinis or something along those line. I digress.

Either way, last night proved just how exciting hockey can be without a result of 8-7 on the scoreboard. The game was back and forth with goaltenders standing on their heads and breath-grabbing chances at each end of the ice. I was completely exhausted by the start of the game and was honestly ready to fall asleep at the first intermission. I couldn't. The game was like a ping pong match that incorporated well-rounded, intense, and passionate hockey. Both teams wanted the game desperately and it showed. The game was an all out old fashioned trench fight. This just proves that playoff hockey is better than any other sport's extra session, hands down, and no questions asked.

My boy Marty Turco lived up to his high expectations and the team I chose after the Bruins were bounced remains in tact. I have to admit, the Brad Richards pick-up by Dallas was easily the best move at the trading deadline (with Hossa a close second considering his performance on Sunday). However, Richards was absolutely flying last night. If it weren't for one of the most marvelous glove saves in the history of televised hockey by Evgeni Nabokov, Richards would have been the hero in the first overtime.

For those that missed last night's game, I feel sorry for you. It was completely worth being exhausted today. Nabokov deserves all the credit in the world as the final goal was not nearly his fault because it was on a powerplay and no one could cover Morrow in front of the net. Kudos to both teams for an outstanding performance.

I would love to see another one of these before the playoffs come to a close.