Krys Barch News

By MIKE HEIKA DETROIT - Here's hoping this wasn't Mike Modano's last game at Joe Louis Arena.

Krys Barch with a nice play to move the puck out of the defensive zone, and then linemates Tom Wandell and Toby Petersen take care of the rest.

Rick Nash scored on a power play and Kristian Huselius added a short-handed goal in the final seconds of the fight-filled opening period, sending the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

While readily admitting they didn't play nearly well enough Wednesday, the Red Wings mostly were baffled and disgusted.

"He's really the only coach I've had at the NHL level before this year, and he's done so much for my career that I definitely will show him the proper amount of respect," said the barb-tongued Stars winger when asked what kind of agitating he might do against his old coach.

Like contestants on a game show, the Dallas Stars are finding that the questions get harder as the season goes on.

James Neal tweaked a groin muscle Wednesday against the Calgary Flames, so he sat out Friday's game and is not expected to make the trip to Minnesota today for the second of back-to-back contests.

Mike Modano still has the Olympic dream. In what could be his final season in the NHL and his last chance at wearing Team USA colors, Modano realizes his time is precious.

The Dallas Stars are embracing the idea of playing on the road. They might want to stay away from home the way things are going.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Dallas Stars right wing Krys Barch, right, and Anaheim Ducks right wing George Parros fight during the first period of a NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, Oct.

The London Knights have long been a producer of professional grade talent in the hockey world.

Krys Barch can do more than fight. He has to, in today's NHL. The lone true enforcer on the Stars roster, Barch has to stick up for his teammates and do a lot of brawling in an effort to motivate them.

You never know what Toby Petersen is going to do. Heck, a lot of times, even he doesn't. Petersen is the Dallas Stars' Mr.

I will tell you one thing about Marc Crawford, he is not afraid of drilling these guys in practice.

Sam Gagner celebrates his second period goal on the Dallas Stars last night. The Oilers' offence was rolling, but it was Nikolai Khabibulin who shut the door in the shootout.

I'm actually extremely impressed with the Stars in this one. They stumbled early, had a few fluky things go against them, and they refused to quit.

It's so hard to read exactly what to take out of a preseason exhibition against your AHL affiliate, but I will fall back on the old Alex Auld line and say this is much better than the alternative.

The difference between fans and management is the fans saw a horrible preseason lead to a horrible start last year and are worried that it might be happening all over again.

I like his attitude, I like his grit, I like his preparation. Barch is a really nice fit for a guy who can fight and grind on the fourth line.