Spurs Squeak by Preds

- Denver Coliseum - Denver, Colorado

The Spurs arrived home from their successful 3-0 road trip to face a tough opponent in the Canadian Eastern Division leading Hamilton Predators.

As predicted, it turned out to be a tough match for the Spurs when at the end of the 2nd period the score was 0-0.

Dominik ' The Dominator' Hasek was the reason for the whitewashing of the Spurs through two periods. He had stopped an astounding 38 shots through the 2nd period! He was living up to his legend!

At 05:20 of the 3rd, blueliner Sheldon Souray of the Preds ended the deadlock on a shot from the point that beat a screened Marty Brodeur.
It was his 8th of the season with assists going to Sillinger and Prospal.

The Preds were putting more pressure on Brodeur than they had during the first two periods when at 10:35 White of the Preds was sent to the sin bin for hooking.
Keith Tkachuk took advantage of the man advantage beating Hasek with a wrister at 11:55, his 19th of the season and 5th in 3 games. Assists went to McCabe and Marian Hossa.

Marian Hossa put the Spurs ahead at 16:57, his 21st of the season,
with what turned out to be the game winner.
He was assisted by linemates Tkachuk and Lecavalier.

For his efforts of the game winning goal and an assist on the game tying goal, the local media selected Marian 1st star of the game.

Second star went to Tkachuk for his 1 goal and 1 assist effort with a much deserved 3rd star going to the Dominator, netminder Dominik Hasek of the Predators.

Hasek had stopped an amazing 55 of 57 shots in the 2-1 loss.

Coach Q of the Spurs said. " We'll be working on shooting during tomorrow's workout. Hats off to Dominik, but 57 shots should
give us better results. I'm happy for the win and effort but we have to improve on those numbers when we get that many opportunities.
Dominic Hasek is certainly still the world class Goalie he has been for years."

Next up for the Spurs is division opponent Southwest here at the Coliseum in Denver. The Scorpions are currently 3rd in the USA Western Division.