They played with an increased intensity on Saturday night, yet when the score was recorded in the official score keepers book, the Dallas Stars were once again on the short end of the 2-1 final.
Detroit made good use of a timely power play opportunity that was presented to them in a bid to break the deadlocked 1-1 game. Henrik Zetterberg, scored on Marty Turco in the second to put the Wings ahead for good.
Turco's troubles continue in Detroit, a city that he's had his share of problems winning in during his career. His frustrations seemed to boil over in game two as he was frequently slashing, hacking and occasionally punching at Red Wings that were getting too close to his comfort zone.
But that fact that the Wings can set up shop in the Dallas end, tells you a lot about the Dallas problems in this series thus far. The inability to clear out the crease area and take away the frequent Detroit scoring chances is the root of how the Stars now find themselves down in the series 2 games to none.
What's even more surprising is that Detroit has continued on their winning ways without Johan Franzen, who had been on a scoring tear of late. Frantzen was pulled from the line up on Saturday suffering from what are described as concussion like symptoms, a situation which could leave him off the bench for the foreseeable future pending a medical opinion.
They didn't seem to miss a step on Saturday, as they continued to move the puck with authority and stare down the Stars attack, which was much more dedicated than in game one.
Detroit, is facing up to the heavy hitting and occasional liberties being taken by the Stars and doesn't seem to be phased by the Stars approach.
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It's a laissez fair attitude that has Don Cherry a little excited over, suggesting that it's the Red Wings lack of physical combat that is leading to the frequently appearing empty seats in Detroit. Though it perhaps might have to do with a declining employment picture in the Motor City, but that's not as good a highlight clip for Coach's corner as suggesting the Wings are wimps.
An impression that might be hard to sell after Chris Osgood and Mike Ribeiro went to it in the Detroit end, with some nasty feelings coming to the boiling point.
Whether tough minded or not, the Wings are certainly controlling the flow of the play and providing for the requisite number of points to win games. Marching on in this Stanley Cup year with little in the way of resistance.
The Stars have two home games that can try and change that equation, otherwise the Wings will be moving on to the Stanley Cup final in short order, well rested and ready to cap another great year for hockey in Detroit.
Globe and Mail-- Same old sad story for Dallas
National Post-- Cleary fills void left behind by Franzen
CBC Sports-- Ribeiro, Osgood fined for Game 2 exchange
Dallas Morning News-- Fine, no suspension for Dallas Stars' Ribeiro
Dallas Morning News-- Dallas Stars think return home will provide lift
Fort Worth Star Telegram-- Dallas Stars can't break free of Detroit Red Wings' grasp
Fort Worth Star Telegram-- Two stupid acts shouldn't equal one penalty
Fort Worth Star Telegram-- Detroit's crease crashing a big problem for Dallas Stars
Detroit Free Press-- Stars' Ribeiro drops Ozzie with two-hander to the chest
Detroit Free Press-- Marty Turco unable to break his Detroit curse
Detroit Free Press-- Turbulence ahead? Handling bumps key for the Wings
Detroit Free Press-- Wings prevail with cooler heads
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NHL.com-- Stat pack
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