DALLAS — Mike Modano’s career is winding down, and the national team veteran wasn’t selected for the 2010 U.S. Olympic squad. Yet the Dallas center still has most of his trademark speed and gas left in his tank.
Modano was credited with two goals, with the game-winner at 7:01 of the third period, as the Stars beat the Avalanche 3-2 on Friday night at the the American Airlines Center.
The game was tied 2-2 entering the final 20 minutes, after Avalanche winger T.J. Galiardi got the only goal of the second period at 10:56.
The Stars had taken a 2-1 lead by scoring on two of their first three shots in the game, but the second was a bad break for Colorado goalie Craig Anderson.
Jamie Benn gave the Stars a 1-0 lead at 3:18 of the first period before Avalanche rookie Matt Duchene got his 17th goal of the season only 36 seconds later to make it 1-1.
Next, Modano broke around the net and passed the puck in front, where it caromed off Avalanche defenseman Kyle Cumiskey and in the net to put Dallas ahead 2-1 at 7:55 of the opening period.
Colorado went with only 11 forwards and seven defensemen after the return of Adam Foote from an ankle injury, but the Avs lost winger Ryan Stoa to a shoulder injury after his first shift of the game.
It was a one-game trip for the Avs, who next face the New York Rangers on Sunday night at the Pepsi Center.
