Dallas Futility

For those that enjoy portents of doom, please take a moment to survey the great players arrayed at the tops of this page. Now, ponder the fates of the Dallas teams this season.
First, the infamous Romo bobble that cost the Cowboys their first playoff win since 1996. What this does to the burgeoning young quarterback's psyche is anyone's guess going into the 2007 season.

The Dallas Stars joined the fray with their ignominious exit in the first round series against the Vancouver Canucks. Goalie Marty Turco must unfortunately be PERFECT in order to advance the Stars to the Cup finals.

With their spectacular collapse in the first round, the Mavericks joined their Dallas team brethren in first round playoff exits. The Mavs made it into the history books as the first number one seeded team to lose to the number eight seat, the Golden State Warriors, in the seven game series format. Nice.

And last, as Powerhouser J.D. so astutely points out, the Texas Rangers are bad. Kansas City Royals bad. Their performance against the Yankees last week marks a new low in horrendous defense and hitting ineptitude.

As for the Rangers, this led me to ponder a few things. I get tired of hearing Cubs fans whine as much as the next sports fan about their "Lovable Losers" team. The Rangers, even in their previous incarnation as the Washington Senators, are ALSO historically bad. Now, even though the Cubs have over 100 years of history compared to the Rangers 45 years, we can still take a look. Let's compare:

Chicago Cubs (1902-present)
Number of postseason appearances (series) : 14
Number of National League Championships: 10 (last one in 1945)
Last appearance in postseason: 2003

Washington Senators (1961-1971)
Number of winning seasons: 1
Number of postseasons appearances: ZERO

Texas Rangers (1972-present)
Number of postseason appearances: 3
Number of American League Championships: ZERO
Last appearance in postseason: 1999

Why are the Rangers so bad? I point to Dubya, Tom Hicks, John Hart, and Jon Daniels. The Cubs may have their goat, but we have the worst owners and General Managers in baseball history.

"Maybe."
--Tom Hicks, Dec. 12, 2000, when asked if he overpaid for the services of Shortstop Alex Rodriguez. To date, Tom Hicks is still paying parts of Rodriguez's salary to play for the Yankees.

Turco: Resurrection

Well, we could talk about about the Mavs absolutely passionless loss tonight. But it's one game in a seven-game series. If it repeats in Game Two, then we have a story.

We could talk about the Rangers big win and the fact they face Cha Seung Baek, who helped bring their near-miraculous 2004 season to an end, tomorrow. But we'll recap the Ranger's last five games tomorrow.

The topic du jour is the Dallas Stars going to British Columbia for Game Seven against the Vancouver Canucks. They have fought back from a 3-1 deficit and now look to get Dave Tippett's and Marty Turco's first round monkey off their backs.

And what an incredible way to reach the elimination game. First, they snap their playoff overtime losing streak. Then, the Stars snap their home playoff game losing streak. I say they. But, for once, it has been Turco's doing with back-to-back shutouts. It also has a little to do with Coach Tippett finally remembering that Mike Ribeiro and Vladislav Nagy make for a formidable duo on the ice.

But it's Game Seven, Turco has three shutouts in the series and you have to think the pressure is off the goaltender. I mean, he's the only man on the team that has played at a high level. The pressure is now on the mates to do something. Doesn't mean Turco can take the night off. Just means we better lay off Turco whatever happens.

So, Mikie Mo and the boys. We're calling you out for Monday night. Make us proud.

Stars, Turco Dominate

Don't look now Stars fans, but Marty Turco posted his first postseason shutout. In Game One, he looked like the playoff Turco of old at times. Tonight, however he stood on his head to protect the early lead his mates handed him.

Now, the Stars have taken the all-important game on the road an retrun to Dallas for two against the Vancouver Canucks. Despite the split in British Columbia, Dallas has clearly skated better and the Stars scorers hasve gotten to young Roberto Luongo who is in his first NHL playoffs.

So will they go far in the playoffs? Hell if I know. But it ought to be a lot more fun to watch this time around.

Random Thoughts on My Return to Sports Cyberworld

Never fear, Powerhousers, I'm back. And forget those rumors you heard. Rehab? Not a chance! Sent to my grandmothers in El Paso for nine months because I got pregnant! Not with my package in the way!

I've been gone a while I know. Life's just kept me busy. But I'm back to bring objectivity and integrity back to the Powerhouse and wanted to chime in with a handful of thoughts I've accumulated in my absence.

First, the big news of the day even if it's not Dallas news. Peyton Manning and the Colts beat their archnemesis, the New England Patriots, to advance to the Super Bowl. This is huge because it provides a certain vindication for coach Tony Dungy and QB Peyton Manning. Some say its total vindication, but they have one more game to win.

Why do I care? When I was about five years old, I became a Tennessee fan. I saw a team dressed in orange with a big "T" on their helmuts and thought they were Texas. Hey, I was five, alright? Anyway, I cheered them on. They won. And then I found out it was Tennessee. They've been my second favorite NCAA team ever since. And Manning's been my favorite underdog.

But this also huge because I've always liked Tony Dungy's style. And, not only did he finally clear a big obstacle as a coach, he joins Lovie Smith as the first two African-American head coaches to lead teams in the Super Bowl. It's somewhat tragic it took this long, but it's good to see this day on the horizon.

Now, for Bill Parcells. Do we want this drama queen? You either want to coach or you don't. If you have to think about it this long, then you don't have the necessary passion to coach, something I think rubbed off on the Cowboys this year. He's had a great career. Hasn't been the worst coach in Dallas. But it's time to hang up the whistle and go back to Jersey. Or Bristol.

Well, the Rangers missed out on Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. It's hard to see this team as better than last year's. Yet, it may be enough this year to make a run at the AL West. This is because their division rivals continue to lose key pieces without adding equal talent to replace it. And if not 2007, 2008 might be the year to watch this team. Their biggest trouble spot is outfield, but they have a number of up-and-comers just a year or so away.

You have to like what the Stars are doing. Seems like half their team has the ice on them rather than vice versa. Yet, they hang in there in the Western Conference and as we all know, seeding means jack in the NHL playoffs.

A little note: Versus now has National Lacrosse League games Saturday nights. I'm going on record to say this is a highly underappreciated sport. I've watched lacrosse all my life when I could find it on television and I think Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban need to get a team in Dallas.

The Mavs took a step in exorcising their NBA Finals demons this afternoon in beating the Heat in Miami. However, with Shaq and Pat Riley both out, it was hardly a huge win. But do look for Josh Howard in the All Star game.

And I've saved this one in the secret compartment of my water bottle for last. Seems the substance in Michael Vick's water bottle at the airport wasn't Mary Jane after all. Is this a case of a black athlete having a substance in a water bottle so we assume it's the wacky tobacky? Shame if it is. Now, having said that, I sure hope it doesn't turn out to be Whizzinator powder. That one's for Onterrio!

The Return of Modano?

Last night's loss to the Vancouver Canucks exhibits the need for the Stars' injured players to hit the ice again, fast.

The Stars have owned shootouts since the rule's introduction two years ago after the lockout, going 15-2 in 17 tries. Sergei Zubov's slick move on Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo failed with a shot that glanced off the crossbar. The Stars then had to move six players deep into its roster in the ensuing shootout, and Luongo held off five more shots until Vancouver was able to slip one by Marty Turco for the 2-1 win. Turco, though hit with the loss, continued his spectacular play with 20 stops, very little of them the routine variety.

Brendan Morrow and Mike Modano, both excellent shooters, along with other forwards Eric Lindros and Steve Ott, all remain on the injured list.

The Stars did pick up a point in the standings, but continue to stare across a wide gulf separating them with the Ducks in the Pacific standings. Second place is up for grabs as Dallas gained on the idle Sharks. With mid-season approaching, can Turco and Mike Smith continue their stellar play, and can the newcomers on the bench hold off some tough teams in the current Canadian swing until the captains come back?

While it has been fun watching coach Tippett juggle his line, the Stars are in desperate need of some stability to continue the success they have had in their 9-6 December. A lack of offense will become more glaring as the season progresses and the playoff seeding falls into place.

Otherwise, Modano will have plenty of time to enjoy the charming company of fiancee Willa "I hate the Carters" Ford come April.