Matt Climie to make his NHL debut in goal for Stars tonight

I just returned from the Stars' morning skate at the AAC, where they will play their home finale at 7 tonight against St. Louis. The big news of the morning was that 26-year-old Matt Climie will make his NHL debut tonight in goal for the Stars.

Climie, as you might expect, was excited about his chance in goal with the Stars. Climie was an emergency call-up Friday from Idaho, the Stars' East Coast Hockey League affiliate. Stars goalie Marty Turco suffered a lower-body injury Thursday against Calgary and is day-to-day. Climie said he received a call from the Stars late Thursday night saying he's going to be called up. He said he was told before this morning's skate that he would start tonight.

"My first start in the NHL, growing up in Canada, every kid dreams of playing in the NHL," Climie said. "I'm kind of overwhelmed."

Stars coach Dave Tippett said he's going with Climie tonight because he's the goalie that gives the Stars the best chance to win. I think you can read between the lines there for what that means for backup goalie Tobias Stephan and his future with the organization. Stephan will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and it's unlikely that the Stars will make him an offer. He's probably gone.

I asked Tippett if Turco could go tonight had this been a playoff game, and he said he wouldn't think so. It's unclear whether Turco will return to play in the final three games (all on the road). Tippett said they'll re-evaluate Turco daily and see how much progress he makes and if he can return to goal this season.

"Marty had some soreness late in the [Calgary] game and it flared up on him [Friday] morning, so we'll just take it day-by-day," Tippett said. "Hopefully it's nothing too long. We'll see how he does. He's out getting treatment on it this morning in Frisco. We'll re-evaluate him tomorrow and see where he's at."

Tippett said that injured defensemen Trevor Daley and Mark Fistric will likely play tonight against St. Louis. Injured center Brian Sutherby skated again this morning and he could also return to the lineup. Defenseman Garrett Stafford, who had two assists in three games for the Stars, will be sent down today.

Several regulars took the morning skate off: Mike Modano, Loui Eriksson, Jere Lehtinen, Steve Ott and Mike Ribeiro.

-- Brandon George

Comments

[Dwain]

Happy for Climie. Gets his first NHL start right before the season ends. I'm sure he didn't see this coming. Go STARS.