Stars strike back

Dallas
Stars

"We just we knew we had to win this game. It's like a Game 7 for us," Hull said.

This is exactly why the Stars signed Hull as a free agent. He has become a better two-way player in Dallas, but he is still a true scorer. On the game-winner Hull took a pass from Tonu Hrkac and beat Hasek on the glove side.

"I just buried my head and shot it hard," Hull said. "The harder you shoot it, you've got more of a chance of it going in. I guess it's like swinging a golf club. You've got more of a chance of it going into the woods, too."

It was the second goal of the series for Hull, who is appearing in the Finals for the first time in 13 years.

"I just thought he got stronger as the game went on," said Stars coach Ken Hitchcock. "He has been a player who has waited into some series, then been stronger later in all the series. But he recognized with (Mike) Modano out, he had to step ahead."

Dallas now has the momentum as the series moves to Buffalo for Games 3 and 4. The team that has won Game 2 has won 26 of the past 28 Stanley Cups, including every team in the last 10 years.

"We were desperate tonight," the Stars' Joe Nieuwendyk said. "Once you get one or two by him, your confidence grows a little bit."

Dallas took total control of the game in the third period. The Stars had 19 shots in the last period after getting only 12 in the first two periods, eventhough they had to play the last 10 minutes without Mike Modano, who injured a wrist.

"He is not out for the series, hopefully," Hitchcock said. "The doctors want to see if it is something that settles down."

The series is very close so far and every game will be fought with greatest intensity.

"I've never seen two teams play with a passion like these two did," Hitchcock said.

"There's going to be no runaway here," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "It's going to be a roller-coaster ride. Nobody said this was going to be a four- or five-game series."