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Dallas takes advantage of lucky bounce to down Devils

Oct 30, 2011 - 6:13 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Vernon Fiddler scored the game-winning goal off Devils defenseman Mark Fayne's skate, sending the Dallas Stars over New Jersey, 3-1, at American Airlines Center.

The lucky redirect, as well as Kari Lehtonen's 31 saves, improved Dallas' home record to 5-1-0. Loui Eriksson also scored in the victory, which Sheldon Souray secured with an empty-netter in the closing seconds.

"I see us getting better," Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said. "I see our power play is getting better...our [penalty kill] is getting better and our 5- on-5 stayed strong."

Petr Sykora scored his first NHL goal in nearly two years to account for the Devils' only tally. Johan Hedberg let up two goals on 22 shots in defeat, the club's fourth in five games.

With the score tied, 1-1, Fiddler came around from behind the net and threw a pass out front that caromed off Fayne's blade and past Hedberg at the 11:34 mark of the third period.

"We didn't have a lot of luck around the net and they got one," Devils head coach Peter DeBoer said.

Dallas' Michael Ryder was whistled for interference with 1:02 remaining, and Hedberg headed to the bench for a two-man advantage. Nevertheless, Dallas held on, with Souray's goal sealing the decision.

Terrific passing between Jamie Benn, Steve Ott and Eriksson resulted in the latter beating Hedberg from between the circles at the 10:51 mark of the opening period.

Twelve minutes into the second, Patrik Elias won a faceoff at the left circle back to Sykora, who snapped a wrister up high to net his first NHL goal since October 30, 2009.

Game Notes

Prior to game, the Stars honored Joe Nieuwendyk for his selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nieuwendyk spent seven seasons with the Stars franchise, helping the club win a Stanley Cup in 1999. Nieuwendyk, who also won a championship with the Devils in 2003, logged 1,126 points over his NHL career...New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk registered a game-high seven shots.