Postgame notes and quotes

Here are some postgame notes and quotes from Stars PR.

 

The Bottom Line:

The Dallas Stars defeated the San Jose Sharks, 5-1, on Wednesday evening at American Airlines Center, moving their record to 34-29-14 on the season for 82 points. Dallas’ next game will be Friday night against the Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. CT – FOX Sports Southwest; Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket).

 

Stats and Stuff:                            

·         The Stars are 10-5-2 in their last 17 games at American Airlines Center, and 13-6-2 in their last 21.

·         Dallas’ short-handed goal in the first period was the team’s ninth on the season, moving them into second place overall in the NHL (Chicago – 11).

·         Steve Ott potted his first career hat trick and tied his career-high with his 19th goal of the season. He also scored his first short handed goal of the season and second of his career (last 1/29/08 @ VAN). He also tied a career-high with three points in one game (3-0-3) for the second time this season and fourth time in his career. The hat-trick was the Stars’ second of the season (L. Eriksson – 12/31/09).

·         Loui Eriksson tapped home his team-leading 29th goal of the season to go along with an assist. He now has 18 multi-point games and 6-8-14 points in his last 15 games.

·         Brad Richards picked up an assist in the first period, giving him 64 on the season to go along with 87 points. He is four points and four assists shy of his career in both categories. Richards’ 64 assists rank tied for fourth best in franchise history and are the most since Neal Broten’s 76 in 1985-86. He also has points in 19 of his last 22 games (8-19-27).

·         Brian Sutherby scored his fifth goal of the season and added his third helper, for his second multi-point game of the season. The Stars are 7-1-1 all-time when he scores a goal.

·         Marty Turco stopped 29-of-30 shots for his 13^th  home win of the season. He is now 24-14-5 in his career vs. San Jose.

·         James Neal had two assists and has assists in three straight games (0-4-4).

·         Jamie Benn registered his 17th assist on the season.

·         Toby Petersen picked up his 14th point of the season (assist).

·         Matt Niskanen was credited with his 12th helper of the season.

·         THREE STARS OF THE GAME: 1) Steve Ott, 2) Brian Sutherby, 3) Marty Turco.

 

      Brian Sutherby:

(Getting hit on his assist to Ott)

"He just came out of the blue, and I kind of saw him coming at me but I also saw Otter, and things were happening that fast. I knew I was going to get hit, but I saw [Ott] going. It definitely was a big hit, but he scored so that made it alright."

(Playing on the Ott-Sutherby-Petersen line)

"It's been fun. I think we're just trying to be kind of a pesky line out there. Obviously, the way Otter plays, he agitating, and he's creating energy, and we kind of feed off that, and try to be physical. Petey obviously can fly, and he buzzes around as well. We're just trying to get in on the forecheck and play simple, but make it very tough on them."

Steve Ott:

(On his play tonight)

"I've just tried to work hard, and there were a couple of phenomenal plays that I was the beneficiary of tonight, and two of the three were tap-ins."

(On if he remembers when his last hat trick was)

"(Laughs) It was probably in junior. That's probably the last time. I don't know, that's a lot of years ago. I can't even remember."

(On the hat trick)

"It's obviously a fun night. It definitely puts a big smile on my face, but I think I was more proud of the sacrifice of my teammates. I mean, that second goal, Sutherby got demolished. He made a play to me that he knew he was going to get hit. He knew he was in the tracks, and he slid over a great pass and I ended up tapping it in. It was pretty easy. If I didn't score that, I would have been pretty upset with myself, because of the sacrifice he made on the play."

(On the second goal)

"It was lucky enough to go in. I just caught a piece of the puck and it went in."

(On the team's play lately)

"We've got a lot of pride in this dressing room. We might not make the playoffs here, or it's pretty unrealistic right now, but to finish with character and finish with pride, I think means more than anything. And to go out there and give the fans a good showing, show the people how much character and heart we have in here, and build on that with all of the youth that we have here, I think is the important thing we take the rest of the way."

Marty Turco:

(On his play tonight)

"I did fine. It's beneficial to play loose, and not have to worry about too much and have any extra stress, and the guys have been playing a lot better maybe for that reason. Personally, I felt alright. I got some breaks, and my stick got in the way a few times of some scary moments there in the game. We'll take this two points and keep plugging along."

(On Ott's play)

"It's amazing how much hard work can pay off. He got put in some great positions too by our other guys making great passes and great plays all around the ice. He was a big beneficiary of what guys did out there tonight, but certainly you've still got to put the puck in the net, and he's been playing some pretty good hockey."

 

      Marc Crawford:

(On success against San Jose)

"We've played very well against one of the top teams in the league this year. It's our fourth win against them, two here, two in their building. We've won a lot of different ways. I thought tonight we played a very, very strong game. We killed penalties well, we had a really good goaltending performance and I thought physically we were very assertive tonight."

(On Steve Ott)

 

      "What can you say about him tonight? He was everywhere. He scored a shorthanded goal, he scored a power play goal, he scored and even strength goal. He went to the net, he was physical. He was very deserving of being the first star of the game."

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