Mike Ribeiro pots game-winner as Dallas Stars edge Calgary Flames 3-2 in overtime -NHL Update
Mike Ribeiro gave Dallas the much needed boost in a tough overtime competition as he scored the game-winner, leading the Stars over Calgary Flames, 3-2, on Thursday night, February 16, 2012, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Dallas finally managed to kill their three-game losing streak which began from a shootout loss against Buffalo Sabres on February 10, followed by two straight from Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings.
The Stars, which once led the Western Conference, now sit at number 10 with 61 points, two below the ninth place Calgary Flames and four points underneath last playoff position holders, the Los Angeles Kings.
Getting their first win in the past four matchups was definitely a reason for them to celebrate.
"That was unbelievable, what an unbelievable individual effort by him. He's so gifted, so talented," teammate Steve Ott said about Ribeiro's move. "That was just phenomenal. I'm still in awe. I thought I blacked out on the bench."
Adam Burish gave Dallas the lead with his sixth of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season midway through the first period while Calgary Flames’ captain, Jarome Iginla, answered back nearly 10 minutes later to level the game.
Steve Ott made the second period tie-breaker on a power play opportunity as Olli Jokinen of Calgary was booked for slashing with a minor penalty.
Mike Cammalleri got Calgary back into the match with his overtime forcing shot at the 14:57 mark of the third and final period while Ribeiro’s game-winning All-Star shot in OT as he shot through traffic and fired it past Miikka Kiprusoff certainly deserved
a standing ovation.
"Yeah, I don't know if it was a little Gordie Howe-ish there where he's changing hands and then changing back," Stars coach, Glen Gulutzan, said of the play. "I'm glad he shot it because we bug him to shoot all the time, and it was a real nice shot."
Dallas will be facing the Phoenix Coyotes in their next matchup on Saturday while Calgary is determined to grab a playoff spot and will definitely be working towards that as they face Los Angeles Kings the same day.
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