Stars wonder how they didn't meet their expectations

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Derian Hatcher is trying desperately to understand how the Stars, the defending Stanley Cup champions, are facing an elimination game against the Devils tonight at Continental Airlines Arena.

"I don't think we ever thought we would be in this situation, especially when it was 1-1 (in games) and we were coming home," the Dallas defenseman said. "To lose both games on our ice is something we didn't expect. We were hoping to be up 3-1 right now."

The Stars, down 3-1, are hoping to fight another day.

Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said he saw good signs Wednesday.

He said veteran players spoke up and that having a real practice rather than a skate helped reacquaint the players with the system.

"This is our third practice in 51/2 weeks," Hitchcock said. "That's incredible. But that's the conference that we're in, and that's the series we got extended to in Colorado. I think that hurt us a lot. Today helped a lot. We got some structure back in our group, and it was a good sign."

The coach admitted he can do only so much.

"This is in the hands of the team and, in particular, the leadership group," he said. "We provide accountability and technical and tactical information, but I find that it's exceptional leadership that will turn this thing around."

"I don't think you can call it panic, but obviously, there's desperation," right wing Brett Hull said. "You have to be desperate and play with everything you have because you cannot lose."

DROUGHT: Hull has two goals in the series. That's 25 percent of Dallas' output, but he has just eight shots on goal.

"I don't think we need Brett Hull to score for us to win," Hitchcock said. "What we need from Brett and some other guys is to stay on the page for 60 minutes, not try to hit the home run, be patient."

"We've got to stick with our system," Hull said. "We just have to be better with it."

CLOSING THE GAPS: Devils center Jason Arnott said he lost a six-tooth bridge when Hatcher bashed him in the face during Game 4. He said he has no ill effects.

Was the hit clean? "The way the playoffs have gone, you have to take your bumps and bruises," Arnott said. "There was no penalty, so I guess the refs thought it was a fair hit or didn't see it. That's all I'm going to say about that."

Devils coach Larry Robinson said there would be no pay back.

"Hockey is not about retribution," he said. "(The Stars) are a team with a good power play, and we're not going to always be able to kill off the power plays and get short-handed goals, so we have to keep our discipline."

ODDS AND ENDS: Stars center Mike Modano turned 30 Wednesday and got the obligatory pie in the face from teammate Mike Keane. ... If the Stars lose the Cup, they will be the first defending champions to return to the final and fail since the 1983-84 Islanders. ... Hull had not spoken to the media since his two-goal performance in Game 2. Asked about his team's situation, he said, "Nothing needs to be said."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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