DALLAS -- Mike Modano tried to keep the tears from flowing all night. His face was on the video board as highlights continued to play and he managed to tough it out.

But he thanked the fans "for 17 memorable years" as part of a pretaped message with 5:28 left in the period and the building erupted with cheers. Modano was shown on the big screen and couldn't keep it in anymore. Tears flowed and the linesman waited before dropping the puck for the faceoff, allowing the ovation to go on for a few minutes.

Moments later, Anaheim scored to make it 2-1. I was thinking maybe this game would go to a shootout and Modano would score. That could still happen, but the Stars need the tying goal in the final minutes.