The excitement of the NHL playoffs is palpable as the Dallas Stars prepare to battle their long-time adversary, the Colorado Avalanche, once again. The deep-seated rivalry that first ignited in the 1999 playoff series has rekindled, bringing with it a surge of local enthusiasm and anticipation.
The Dallas area is buzzing, as both the Dallas Mavericks and the NHL’s Dallas Stars have made it past the first round of the playoffs, a feat not achieved since 2003. The American Airlines Center is set to host a series filled with intensity and local fervor, as the Stars face off in a seven-game series against the much-despised Avalanche, which began last Tuesday.
Fresh off their victory against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the Stars are now set to confront their storied rivals—the 2022 Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche. Among the numerous teams in the NHL, it is the Avalanche that I find most contemptible, the pinnacle of my sports rivalries.
Rivalries like this one are what make sports thrilling. They escalate the competition, making victories sweeter and defeats more bitter. Longtime fans of the Dallas Stars, including myself, find that games against the Avalanche bring out the best in our team and fans alike.
I didn’t grow up with hockey on my mind until the Stars moved to Dallas in 1993. My teenage years were spent learning about this ice-bound sport in a state known for its sweltering summers. The local malls, with their seasonal ice rinks, were my only glimpse into the world of ice sports before the Stars’ arrival.
The late ’90s were a golden era for the Stars, featuring legends like Mike Modano, Derian Hatcher, and Ed Belfour. Despite some heart-wrenching losses in the playoffs, the team’s prowess was undeniable, culminating in the magical championship run of 1999.
That year, the Stars not only dominated the regular season but also set the stage for a legendary Western Conference Finals against the Avalanche. Even then, my disdain for the Avalanche was unmistakable, humorously dubbing them the “Craporado Suckalanche.”
The Avalanche boasted their own set of stars like Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy, and their fans had an air of superiority, claiming a deeper understanding of hockey. However, it was in 1999 that the Stars proved superior, decisively winning the series and progressing to claim the Stanley Cup.
Yet, as remarkable as that series was, it was just the beginning of what would become a storied rivalry. The following year, the teams met again in the Western Conference Finals, with both sides fiercely competing to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The series once again went to a thrilling Game 7, which was one of the most intense matches I have ever witnessed.
The ongoing rivalry between the Stars and the Avalanche isn’t just about hockey; it’s about pride, history, and the relentless pursuit of victory. As we watch this year’s series unfold, it’s clear that these games are more than just sports; they’re a continuation of a narrative that has captivated fans for decades.
