Stars News & Notes: Turco by the numbers

Friday, January 30, 2009-11:00:pm
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As the Dallas Stars were coming back following the All-Star break earlier this week, goalie Marty Turco said he looks at the season as a building process when it comes to improving his play.  His recent play is strong evidence that he is building and improving.

"I look at the season as a climb for myself to get better. And although the last 19 were better than the first 23, the next 20 or so will be better and it will get better after that," Turco said. "It's unfortunate that we were all that crappy at the beginning of the season and that didn't give us even a slim chance of winning. It does suck, but it's a learning process."

A look at Turco's season shows that he has been climbing statistically. Over his last three starts - all Dallas wins - Turco has allowed just three goals and stopped 74 of 77 shots in the process.

During the Stars' run of 15-7-3 since November 30 Turco has played in all but one of those games, posting a 15-6-3 record, a 2.47 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. Numbers that are in stark contrast to the 3.63 GAA and .866 save percentage he posted in his first 20 games of the season.

In those 24 games since November 30 he has allowed 2 goals or fewer 13 times, and he has posted two shutouts.

If you break it down month-by-month, his numbers have improved in each one as the season has progressed as well. (See table below).

"He's just like the rest of our team. We started slow and this little while he's really come along," said Stars coach Dave Tippett. "He's a top notch goalie and after a bit of a rough start he's coming into his own."

In fact, throughout his career Turco has been somewhat of a slow starter. A few career notes:

  • His career goals against average in October is 2.79 and his save percentage is .895. If you remove this season the numbers are 2.53 and .904, still his least impressive numbers for any month as far as career numbers.
  • His best month, excluding the usually abbreviated April, is March, where he has a 1.95 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.
  • Prior to the All-Star break in his career he has posted a 2.34 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. After the All-Star break his goals against average is 1.99 and his save percentage is .918.

Here's a look at Turco's performance before November 30 and his performance since November 30.

Category GP Min Rec GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
Prior to November 30 20 1138 6-10-4 69 3.64 516 447 .866 0
Since November 30 24 1457 15-6-3 60 2.47 640 580 .906 2
Total 44 2595 21-16-7 129 2.98 1156 1027 .888 2

Here's a month-by-month breakdown of Turco's season.

Month  GP MIN Rec GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
October 9 493 3-4-2 35 4.26 221 186 .842 0
November 12 705 4-6-2 37 3.15 323 286 .885 0
December 12 738 8-3-1 31 2.52 329 298 .906 0
January 11 659 6-3-2 26 2.37 283 257 .908 2

Stars Notes

  • Forward Krys Barch had dental work done Friday after taking a high stick to the mouth in Thursday's game against Detroit and losing eight teeth. He is listed as probable for Saturday.
     
  • Forward Mark Parrish (flu) is doubtful for Saturday.
     
  • Forward Fabian Brunnstrom, who left Thursday's Manitoba Moose game early due to the flu, did not play for the Moose on Friday.