Stars 5, Ducks 3

On the final day of the 2009, the Ducks were unable to slow down the Stars and were defeated 5-3 at American Airlines Center.

In the first game of the a three-game road trip, Anaheim was out in front 2-1 in the middle frame before the Stars scored three in a row to close the period.

Dallas would add a fourth unanswered goal in the third before Saku Koivu found the net for a second time, which was too late for the Ducks to avoid defeat. Mike Brown also added his fourth goal of the season.

Loui Eriksson was a thorn in the Ducks' side through the contest, as he scored three goals for his second career hat trick.

Eriksson's first goal came while the Stars were shorthanded. He added a pair of even-strength goals in the second period to help Dallas win consecutive games for the first time since home victories over New Jersey and Carolina on Nov. 21 and 23.

Eriksson had a chance for a fourth goal with eight minutes left, but his shot on a shorthanded breakaway glanced off the right goal post.

Brad Richards had a power play goal and two assists, and Stephane Robidas added a goal for the Stars, 8-1-2 in their last 11 at home.

Dallas' Trevor Daley was serving a high-sticking penalty when Eriksson opened the scoring 6:16 in. Mike Ribeiro skated the puck out of the Dallas zone and into a 2-on-1 with Eriksson, who converted Ribeiro's centering pass for the Stars' third short-handed tally of the season.

Anaheim tied it at 1 at 15:29 when Koivu lifted a loose puck over a sprawling goalie Marty Turco.

The Ducks went in front 2-1 at 2:15 of the second period when Brown's shot from the right circle got through Turco's pads.

Eriksson tied it at 6:19 when he skated hard to the net with Anaheim's Sheldon Brookbank draped over him. Brookbank was called for a delayed penalty as Eriksson's backhander went in off the skate of goalie Jonas Hiller.

Robidas put Dallas in front 30 seconds later when his shot from the right point pinballed off Ducks defenseman Nick Boynton's skate and into the net.

Eriksson's 16th goal gave the Stars a 4-2 edge at 11:58 of the second off a setup by Richards.

Richards extended the lead to 5-2 at 13:46 of the third on a shot that deflected off the stick of Anaheim's James Wisniewski while Dallas had a man advantage.

Koivu's second of the night got Anaheim within 5-3 at 17:07.

NOTES: Earlier this week, Eriksson was named to the Swedish Olympic team for the first time. ... Dallas D Mark Fistric was activated off the injured list after missing five games because of a concussion. ... Ducks F Teemu Selanne is expected to return to the lineup next week. Selanne has been out since Dec. 3 when he broke a bone in his left hand in Dallas. ... Dallas hosted a game on New Year's Eve for the 12th straight season. The Stars have four hat tricks on that date. ... Eriksson's shorthanded goal was the second of his career. His first came last season on New Year's Eve. ... Anaheim C Ryan Getzlaf sat out his second straight game because of a deep cut on his leg. ... Dallas is 5-1-3 against Anaheim over the last two seasons.