Dallas vs Colorado (1999 Third Round)

Patrick Roy
1998-99 UD Choice #SQ3

1999 Western Conference Final Game 5
Goaltenders: Belfour (DAL), Roy (COL)

One of the most unpredictable games I've ever seen...

In the pivotal Game 5, two powerhouse teams battled it out in the "Wild West" on May 30, 1999.

Mike Keane
1999-00 UD MVP Stanley Cup Edition #62

After an early Avalanche goal by Valeri Kamensky, Mike Keane of the Dallas Stars scored a short-handed goal to tie the game. Four ex-Montreal Canadiens were involved in the play (Guy Carboneau & Mike Keane, now of the Stars, with Claude Lemieux & Patrick Roy for the Avs).

Carboneau chipped the puck out to Keane, who recognized Claude Lemieux as the forward playing defense on the power play... Keane was able to deke past him, getting a shot by Patrick Roy.

Colorado surged back and re-gained the lead, but Dallas refused to die (even after a disallowed goal when Mike Keane "accidentally" kicked the puck into the net as he was falling). Sniper Brett Hull brought the Stars to within a goal, after burying a one-timer off a feed from Mike Modano.

The strength of the Dallas Stars' fourth line may have been the difference in the series. Pat Verbeek scored for Dallas (assisted by Carboneau and Keane), tying the game, and causing the building to erupt.

Chris Drury
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #106

Colorado rookie Chris Drury would score his 4th game-winning goal of the playoffs (his second of the game), while Peter Forsberg sealed the deal with an empty netter in a 7-5 Colorado win.

This would give the Avalanche a 3-2 series lead. The Avalanche would also strike first in Game 6 - But the eventual Champion Dallas Stars were able to come back, winning Game 6 and 7 (both by a score of 4-1) to advance to the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals.

Ed Belfour
1999-00 UD MVP Stanley Cup Edition #62
(Silver Script)

Dallas and Colorado would both return to the Western Conference Final the following year (2000). This series would also go seven games, with Dallas again emerging as the victor.