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Modano propels Stars past Ducks

Dec 28, 2008 - 4:37 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- Mike Modano scored with 86 seconds remaining in overtime as the Dallas Stars recorded a 4-3 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday in a battle of Pacific Division rivals.

Mike Ribeiro, rookie James Neal and Brad Richards notched a goal and an assist apiece and Marty Turco finished with 19 saves for Dallas, which improved to 8-3-1 in its last 12 contests.

"Winning is addictive and losing is addictive," Richards said. "Right now, we're winning and it's becoming addictive. You've got to turn it your way and we've turned it our way with hard work."

Dallas coach Dave Tippett had a different take on the victory.

"I didn't like the game from a coach's point of view," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "It was sloppy and messy, a lot of turkey.

"We've been using our energy in the wrong way a lot of times this season - it's about energy and execution."

Brendan Morrison recorded his second two-goal performance in as many games, Chris Kunitz also tallied and Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned aside 34 shots for Anaheim, which suffered its sixth loss in its last seven road games.

"We can't get down. We recognize how hard we worked," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "You get down when you don't work hard and aren't in the game. We played closer to the style we need to have success on the road."

In overtime, Modano accepted a feed from Richards in the right faceoff circle and unleashed a blast which beat Giguere for his 12th goal of the season.

"We had some good chances, those guys worked hard down low to get it up high and my shot went in," Modano said.

"It drives me crazy when people talk about (this) being his last year, when you have speed you can still play," Ribeiro said of Modano. "I don't think he's lost a beat, hopefully he can stay here as long as he can play."

Carlyle didn't offer any excuses on the final tally.

"They set (Modano) up on that side and it's hard to defend that one-timer from there because if you get out too high, then they move the puck down low and have the 2-on-1 in front," Carlyle said.

With the game tied at 2-2 with 3:19 remaining, Bobby Ryan sent a brilliant centering feed from behind the net to Morrison, who tapped it past Turco for his eighth tally of the campaign.

"Highlight reel pass from Bobby (Ryan), my buddy (Marty) Turco was not able to move," Morrison said.

The Ducks were unable to hold the lead.

Ribeiro leveled the contest with 64 seconds remaining after collecting a loose puck in the left faceoff circle and wristing it past Giguere for his sixth goal of the season.