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Modano caps third-period comeback by Stars

Apr 8, 2007 - 10:46 PM DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks were on their way toward ending their dismal season on a high note. Mike Modano and the Dallas Stars had other plans.

Modano set up the tying goal with 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the third period and scored the winner less than three minutes later as the Stars rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks in the regular-season finale for both teams.

While Dallas (50-25-7) is on its way to the playoffs, Chicago (31-42-9) missed out on the postseason for the fourth consecutive campaign and eighth in nine seasons. But after an embarrassing loss at Detroit on Saturday, the Blackhawks showed some pride in this one, taking a 2-1 lead in the third period on goals by Jason Williams and rookie Bryan Bickell.

"I think we all showed a lot of heart coming back after yesterday's loss," Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook said. "We all wanted to come out and have a good effort for our last game."

The advantage did not last long, however, as Modano assisted on defenseman Sergei Zubov's tally 69 seconds after Bickell's goal and netted one of his own during a 4-on-4 situation with 3:49 remaining. It was the 507th tally of Modano's career, tying him with Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau for 35th place on the all-time list.

"It sums up our year," Chicago coach Denis Savard said. "We had a power play and we took a penalty, they score. On the last goal, I think there could have been a call there."

Captain Brenden Morrow also scored and blue-liner Philippe Boucher added two assists for the Stars, who reached the 50-win plateau for the second straight season and third time in franchise history.

"The win and reaching the 50-win plateau gives you some momentum," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "We did some things real well. Mike and Zubie came up with big goals for us."

Nikolai Khabibulin made 30 saves for Chicago, which went 2-2-0 against Dallas this season.

"We don't want to be here, we want to be looking forward to the playoffs," Seabrook said. "But I guess that's for years to come."

Khabibulin and counterpart Marty Turco engaged in a duel for two periods, making 22 and 18 saves, respectively, to keep the game scoreless. But the Stars broke through six minutes into the third on Morrow's fifth goal in eight games and 300th career point.

Alone on the doorstep, Morrow received a pass from low in the left faceoff circle by Jussi Jokinen and fired the puck past Khabibulin at 5:56 for his 16th of the season.

"I had a short season, but the team played well over the 82 games and we are looking to continue the success in the playoffs," said Morrow, who missed 33 contests with severed tendons in his right wrist. "We played a lot of one-goal games during this regular season and we're looking forward to carry over our one-goal success into the playoffs."

Williams answered exactly one minute later, redirecting Tony Salmelainen's shot from the left point between Turco's pads to end a 10-game goalless drought. Playing in just his third NHL contest, Bickell put Chicago ahead with his second tally, beating Turco with a one-timer from the high slot with 7:33 remaining.

Just over a minute afterward, Modano won a faceoff in the right circle and pushed the puck back to Zubov, whose one-timer from the point sailed past Khabibulin, forging a 2-2 tie.

Only 2:35 later, Boucher carried to the bottom of the left circle and lifted a backhand pass to Modano, who beat Khabibulin from the right side of the net for his 22nd tally.

"I think they expected our game plan," Khabibulin said. "Dallas is a good team, they are getting ready for the playoffs and they are playing playoff hockey, getting pucks to the net and going to the net hard."