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Darche atones for miscue, Lightning edge Stars

Sep 20, 2007 - 2:18 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- After taking the penalty that allowed the Dallas Stars to tie the game, Mathieu Darche made up for it in a big way.

Darche scored with 20 seconds remaining in overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning skated to a 4-3 preseason victory over the Stars on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay appeared on its way to victory when Kyle Wanvig beat goaltender Tobias Stephan on a penalty-shot attempt at 8:41 of the third period.

But Darche was called for hooking with 2:54 to go in the session, and Loui Eriksson converted for Dallas on the ensuing power play with 61 seconds left, knotting the contest at 3-3.

As time was winding down in overtime, Darche put a shot past Stephan to lift the Lightning to victory.

Dallas' power play was in top form, as defenseman Stephane Robidas and Junior Lessard also tallied with the man advantage.

Robidas scored in the first period on a one-timer that hit Marc Denis' stick and bounced over the netminder. The puck landed on the goal line and trickled in at 8:09, giving the Stars a 1-0 edge.

In the second period, Tampa Bay took a 2-1 lead on goals by Andreas Karlsson and Jason Ward. Brad Richards, who also set up Darche's game-winner, assisted on both tallies.

Lessard beat Denis to the stick side from above the left faceoff circle less than four minutes into the third to forge a 2-2 tie.

Denis played the entire game, making 36 saves for the Lightning. Stephan allowed three goals on 15 shots after replacing Phillippe Sauve, who stopped 13 shots for the Stars.

Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and defenseman Dan Boyle did not play for Tampa Bay, while Mike Modano, captain Brenden Morrow and goalie Marty Turco sat out for Dallas.

Lightning forwards Chris Gratton (cornea abrasion) and Michel Ouellet (hamstring) left with injuries and did not return for precautionary measures.