GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- The highscoring matchup that was predicted between Phoenix and Dallas was nowhere to be seen yesterday at the Glendale Arena. The two teams that combined for 471 goals during the regular season, only managed to find the back of net once in the first game of the Western Conference quarterfinals, an easy tap-in by Alexei Zhamnov on a rebound. The starloaded Coyotes only had 23 shots on goal during the entire game, significantly lower than their regular season average. Art Ross winner, and 33 goal scorer, Peter Forsberg was very invisible during his 24 minutes of icetime, much thanks to a very alert Dallas defense.
The big star of the game was without a doubt Stars goalie Cristobal Huet who stopped all shots faced, including a nice stop on a breakaway by Fredrik Modin late in the second period. Modin, with four shots, was one of few players on the Coyotes who made a lasting impression. The game turned out to be a matchup between the goalies as Dwayne Roloson also had a very solid game at the other end.
With two goalies playing at the top of their game, the key to this series could very well be the powerplay. Phoenix had to play 10 minutes with a man less on the ice, and will have to try and control their emotions better next time. Without Roloson in net, the score would likley have been significantly worse for Phoenix. Dallas on the other hand played a more disciplined game with only a single penalty during the entire game. To win the next game, both teams need to take advantage of the few opportunities they get.