And the End has Come

Well, a few days have passed since it was official that the Stars would not be making it into the playoffs yet again this year and I now feel like I can talk about this with a (fairly) clear head. I've heard several people talk about the fact that they're disappointed in the team because they didn't make the playoffs, but I'm of a different mind. I'm very proud of this team.

When the Dallas Stars opened the season in October, the team was going through the midst of bankruptcy proceedings and had no owner. The complete future of this team was up in the air. There was even talk about the team leaving Dallas altogether. With all of these doubts about the future of the team, it was pretty much a given that the Stars wouldn't do anything of consequence this season.

And yet, amazingly, the team went into November leading the entire NHL in points. This ragtag bunch of no-names managed to lead the entire NHL in points within the first month of the season! All with no owner and still in the midst of bankruptcy and with no future to speak of! How could any fan doubt this team's heart and drive at this point?! As the season progressed, the captain went out of commission for several months and the team lost several very important games. The team lost all of the footing they gained and greatly looked forward to the All Star Break when they could take some time to recoup. During the All Star Games, the entire NHL network was exposed to one of the team's biggest stars, Jamie Benn. After the All Star Games, the team was amazing, winning game after game and landing themselves a solid place leading the division. It seemed certain that the Stars were finally going to make it into the playoffs.

But, sadly, the Stars also have a habit of breaking down in the final weeks of the playoff push. This habit wasn't ready to be broken yet. And it happened. The team crashed and burned out.

Yet, I've grown quite tired of hearing people criticize the team and calling for the resignation of everyone of consequence for the team. Really? The entire coaching staff should be let go because teams that are better staffed beat the Stars? People honestly feel like the management needs to be cleaned out because the team didn't get to the playoffs? Do people just completely disregard the fact that Ryder and Souray and Benn and Fistric and Nystrom have all had amazing seasons like they've never had before. And really, you're going to continue to bitch and moan about this team when they just played their final game of the season and lost against a team that is one of the best teams in the NHL with 6 players that were called up from the AHL and this was a 2-3 loss? You're disappointed with that loss?

Just looking at all of these amazing things this team did this season, I can only watch and wait impatiently and wait for October to roll around. Big things are in store for this amazing Dallas Stars team in the coming team. With dedicated players, an amazing new owner, brilliant leadership, this team is going to do amazing things.

So all of you nay-sayers out there can just shut it.