CURSE OF "THE JUICE"

For going on two seasons now the Stars have been showing up to the Shootout (NHL tie-breaker format) armed with squirt guns and a thimble of water.

They are 1 for 6 this season with only 3 guys scoring on their breakaway attempts (3 of 19), and have now dropped 9 of their last 13 Shootouts overall. Puzzling huh.

Or is it?

Maybe it’s simply a curse. The Curse of Jussi Jokinen. Oooooooooohhhhhhh.

When the team dealt the Finnish game finisher to Tampa Bay in the deal that made Brad Richards a Star they were a robust 25-7 in shootouts. They’re 12-14 since.

Of course it’s not just Jokinen’s absence - although he did score 17 times in Shootouts as a Star - other guys have ability but aren’t getting it done. And what about the other end of the rink? Marty Turco (Who is a phenomenal 13 for 14 facing penalty shots in his career) has lost a good chunk of his mojo in these skills events. Lately he’s resembled that sword wielding Mid-East guy that Indiana Jones watches do his flashy pre-clash thing - then shoots him. Marty goes through his set up, all arm swinging and sidesaddle bouncing, then charges out defiantly, backs in rapidly, and…gets scored on. Boom. Two of those and its lights out for the Stars hope of gaining that extra point.

So far there have been six points up for grabs and the Stars have grabbed just one.

One.

Ouch.

Damn you Jussi Jokinen!