DALLAS, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Martin Gerber made 26 saves to remain undefeated against Dallas and rookie Alexei Smirnov and Steve Rucchin scored third-period goals Friday night to propel the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to their fourth straight victory, 4-2.
After stopping 26 shots in a 1-1 tie against the Stars on Jan. 5, Gerber produced another strong performance, turning aside 10 shots in each of the first two periods before making six saves in the third for just his second NHL victory.
The Ducks, who have won seven of their last eight games, erased a deficit in the second period on tallies by Adam Oates and Petr Sykora. But Ulf Dahlen drew Dallas even early in the third with his 12th goal of the season.
A healthy scratch for three of the previous five contests, Smirnov unleashed a high wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle at 4:42 of the third that beat goaltender Ron Tugnutt to the glove side to put Anaheim ahead for good.
Rucchin added an insurance goal and Paul Kariya chipped in three assists for the Ducks, who improved to 5-17-1 all-time in Dallas.
Mike Modano scored the other goal and tough guy Aaron Downey collected his first NHL assist for the Stars, who lost for just the second time in their last 21 contests (15-2-4).
