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Turco on Turco; Tippett on Turco

Posted on March 25th, 2009 3:28pm by Jeff Miller
Filed under Dallas Stars, Hockey

It’s well chronicled that Marty Turco’s goals against average and save percentage are way down this season. But he is leading the NHL in one thing – minutes. He’s the first NHL goalie this season to crack the 4,000 mark, and that’s with missing about 160 minutes after being TKO’ed in five of his 69 starts. He’s on pace to crack his club-record 73 starts and 4,359 minutes, from the 2003-04 season when had a 1.98 GGA.

When asked early this afternoon in Frisco if he has played more than he expected this season, Turco said he really couldn’t answer that. “Our policy has been our game plan [going into the season] is no game plan,” he said. “Play as he [Dave Tippett] sees things are going. Too many variables to ever put a finger on it. This year is no exception. I expected to play a lot; that’s all.”

Tippett’s assessment of Turco’s play lately: “I would say Marty himself would be very disappointed with his play. He feels like he wants to have an impact on the outcome of games, and I don’t think he’s had a positive impact.”

Tippett said Turco has played more this season than he expected. “Early on, there was a sense we had to get him playing and in a groove. Part and parcel, when we played [Tobias] Stephan, he hasn’t come in and said, ‘Give me more.’ So it’s been a struggle all year.” Stephan has started four games, is 1-3 and has started once since mid-December.

Turco allowed four goals in Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to Vancouver to stretch the Stars’ losing streak to four games. “I was a step behind last night, thinking too much,” he said. “That’s just not my game.”

Three of the goals came on power plays, but Turco said the constant penalty killing wasn’t an issue. ”Killing penalties … they’re fun. It’s exciting. It’s challenging.”

And he said he doesn’t feel worn out. “I really haven’t felt better physically in a season. Mentally, it’s always a constant battle, whether you’re playing or not. That’s something you always need to address and be cognizant of. Honesty is always the best policy. Sometimes you can be your worst enemy.”

The Stars have nine games to play and a passel of teams to pass to reach eighth place. Asked if Turco would start every game until the team’s fate is determined, Tippett said, “We’ll see. We’ll just take that day by day.”

4 Comments to “Turco on Turco; Tippett on Turco”

Stu @ March 25th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

Marty is 37th out of 43 goalies listed on nhl.com in save percentage. He sure is great at handling the puck, but not good at actually stopping the puck.

He was 24th out of 44 last year. His poor play is not a bad spell. He is what he is, average at best.
Seanathan @ March 25th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

One thing Turco is good at, stating cliches. I do fault Tippett at not getting Stephan more playing time at the beginning of the season. The more recent games that he’s played, he’s had some tough luck goals and allowed goals that the Great Turco wouldn’t have stopped either. Tippett needs to get off of his high horse when it comes to not letting younger guys play.
MikeYoungFan1992 @ March 25th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

I want to apologize to all the fans and writers of this fine blog who I offend in my constant tirades against Evan Grant. My completely justified hatred of his intolerable writing, attitude towards the Rangers’, and general behavior towards life in general absolutely does not reflect on my vaguely disinterested opinion about the Dallas Morning News or any other writer on this blog. The simple fact is, however, that Evan Grant should be stopped by the next person who meets him, no matter the situation, prior relationship, or how many supersized #1s he orders from you. Get him off the internet, into a dark room, covered in all of his most horrible offerings to the Rangers’ community printed in Braile on the walls and floors until he repents. Only then, can he be saved.

-Your Welcome
MikeYoungFan1992 @ March 25th, 2009 at 7:28 pm

failing that i hope he chokes on the straw

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