Round 2 on tap...

Tuesday April 22, 2008 @ 01:36 PM EDT

Welcome to the NHL Connect blog page for Willa Ford. Willa Ford burst onto the music scene in the late 1990s. The singer/dancer recently appeared on Dancing with the Stars. She will chronicle the Dallas Stars’ Quest for the Cup, led by her husband, Stars forward Mike Modano.


So it’s been a while since my last blog – and I apologize for that, it’s just that I’ve had a crazy schedule – so busy actually that it’s been to difficult for me to get back for the games.


But believe me, I’ve watched them from a distance. I’m glad that I’ve been able to do that at least.


In fact, I watched the games and I’m starting to feel lucky because every time I haven’t watched, they’ve lost. I’ve now made it my mission as a superstitious hockey wife to make every game, no matter what.


Not that it will make a difference…but why take a chance? Lol.


The biggest thing that has stood out for me in these playoffs is the difference between the regular season and the playoffs. There’s such a difference come playoff time – the games come down to who steps it up, and who works harder, and then, who gets those little bounces that can change games.


The smallest thing can change the complexion of a period, a game, a series. It’s incredible.


Now, what can I say about this series? First of all, we Stars fans know that everyone doubted us: We aren’t deep enough, we aren’t big enough, etc. All people were talking about was what we didn’t have, they never considered what we do have.


What we have is a great team. Not one guy, not one line, but one great team.


And that was the key: Turco was great, but he didn’t stand out over Ribeiro, and Ribeiro didn’t stand out over Morrow, and Morrow didn’t stand out over Ott. Every single guy, from the D to the forwards, from the rookies to the vets, stood up and played.


Richards found his fit, and some of those passes he was making, he’s right where he needs to be, and he’s getting better. That’s the scary thing.


Mike and Morrow came out there like it was their mission to win this series, and those are the guys, when they’re motivated, that really make a difference. If the team needs them and they’re in trouble, they can do things other guys can’t. I believe in them.


And here, a little credit for some great checking: talk about shutting down their top lines! I don’t think the “experts” give Mike enough credit. He’s one of the better two-way players in the game…he uses his speed to catch guys, he was playing smart and playing tough defensively, and it showed in that their top guys didn’t make it on the scoresheet. Nice work Mike!


Daley too was good, and I don’t know if people realize how fast he is – you can’t say enough about speed.


People that needed to step up, and they did, all over the team. Norstrom was outstanding and filled a role perfectly and that’s when you expect these vets to be at their best.


But maybe the most valuable thing was that you couldn’t tell the difference between the rookies and the vets. The coaches did a wonderful job – making adjustments, focusing on breaking down the game, keeping the players motivated and keeping them going.


It was a complete team effort! One that I thoroughly enjoyed, from Game 1 to Sunday night’s victory. I even found a little place where I am, a place where they treated us well, put the game on TV for myself and my castmates, and let us even have the sound! It didn’t matter what was on, we got sound on the Stars games – for them to do that for us was awesome.


We weren’t in Dallas or in the Arena, but people were screaming and it got serious. When they won, there was clapping and screaming and high-fiving. I almost enjoyed being in different venue as much as I enjoy the rink, watching how the other fans were screaming and getting into the games.


The fans were outstanding. I’ve heard the Dallas fans were insane in ’99, and any game here on out, it’s going to be just nuts. These fans are coming in droves; this is no joke.


One guy that watched the last two games with us, he had this foil-made cup that he’d had for like three years. He didn’t know who I was, but he let me take a photo and said, “Sure, put it up on the blog.”


I didn’t say anything, so I hope he’s going to see it. He was a great fan, I saw him again on Sunday, with the jersey, and the cup and everything, cheering again and loving it when the Stars won.



A photo of me and one of the best fans we’ve met!


What a game that was! You could see it. That third period, it was like the guys said, “We’re not going back to Anaheim. We’re going to win now. We’re tired and we want to finish this off.”


Mike’s amazed right now; he’s impressed, he believes. Nobody is going to say anything like they’re going to win this round or the Cup or anything, but I know the guys, the arena, the town – everyone! – can feel something happening.


Now we wait to find out who we’re playing next.


I can’t wait for Round 2.


Can you?

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