CHARACTER, DRAMA AND MARKETING

In an 82 game schedule there are some dogs, there are lots of milquetoast contests, and then every so often there are lustrous, pulsating examples of hockey at it's finest.

Last night was the latter.

What a titillating frigging conflict that was!

Let's review.

Marty Turco was making his return to AAC.

Thirteen minutes into the game he had been peppered with 3 shots and the Stars were reeling. Those draped in Blackhawk jerseys were in full throat with their club up 3-0 and in complete control.

Then, with the Stars in penalty trouble again, this time facing a two-man Hawk advantage, Kari Lehtonen made one of the most mastedonic saves I've ever seen to single-handedly (literally) change the trajectory of the night.

From that point on the Stars got off their heals and went to the body. Mark Fistric's hit on Pisani was a bench bower.

In a 5 minute span late in the second period and early in the third the Stars completely erased the 3-goal deficit, silencing the Hawk fans with tallies from Robidas, Richards on the PP, and Morrow on a reviewed "chunk" of a goal in the third period's first minute, sending Stars fans into delirium.

Lehtonen and Turco sparkled the rest of the way, as did many of the top end offensive players for both teams.

Fans of both clubs stood for the majority of the third period and overtime and why not, the pace and play was invigorating and enthralling.

After more drama and opportunities in overtime the fan payoff for enduring the roller coaster night came in the Shootout. Stars forwards Morrow, Richards and Ribeiro all pumped pucks past Turco in the Penalty Shot contest to ruin his effort, validate Kari's, and vanquish a dinged up and demoralized Blackhawk team.

This injury-riddled Stars team displayed layers of character in the rally.

The game took all involved, from coaches to fans to players to broadcasters, on an epic 3 hour journey.

And the marketing department received a Friday night on AAC ice that would make a repeat customer out of even the most marginal of "casual" fans.

Oh, and the two points was kind of important too.