Dallas, Apr 27: Mike Leclerc scored 1:44 into overtime giving the Anaheim Mighty Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars and a stunning 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series in Dallas, Texas, USA on Saturday (April 26). Owned by Disney, the Mighty Ducks had written their own Cinderella story by sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in the conference quarter-finals. Following Petr Sykora's goal 48 seconds into the fifth overtime that gave Anaheim a win in Game One of their semi-final against the top-seeded Stars on Thursday (April 24), the hockey world began to take notice. After taking a 1-0 lead midway through the first period in this one, the Ducks were surprised when Brenden Morrow evened the game 1.2 seconds before interval. The goal brought new life to the Stars, who took the lead on Mike Modano's tally 8 1/2 minutes into the second and maintained control until a bad bounce late in the third.


Rob Niedermayer's attempted pass with 69 seconds left deflected off the skate of Stu Barnes and past goaltender Marty Turco, levelling the contest and forcing another overtime.


But the Ducks were quick to strike this time as Leclerc's wrister beat Turco to send Anaheim home with a perfect 6-0 record in the postseason.


Adam Oates had a goal and the key assist and Sykora set up all three tallies for the Ducks, who host Game Three on Monday (April 28).


Bureau Report