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Thursday, December 16, 1999
Headin' for trouble
DALLAS -- The throbbing in the back of his head hurt like hell.
But Derek Morris didn't mind.
It could have been a lot worse.
Al MacInnis' shot has long been recognized as the hardest in the game and when he wound up in the third period, Morris vividly remembers seeing the puck stand on end and immediately fearing for his safety.
"I knew it was going to be wild -- I just wanted to get out of the way," said Morris.
"It came right at me and I just had enough time to turn my head.
"The next thing I remember, T.K. (trainer Terry Kane), is on the ice talking to me -- I must have gone out for a bit, but I don't really know."
The puck hit him in the back of the head, just below the helmet line.
This is the same shot that in recent games has broken fingers of goalies Chris Osgood and Jocelyn Thibault.
"I know he doesn't shoot at guys to hurt anyone," said Morris.
"It was just one of those unfortunate things.
"Yeah, it could have been a lot worse but that's not his fault. He's such a great shooter from the blueline, always so in control and he always finds a way to get it off.
"I know one thing, I wouldn't want to be a forward out there trying to block it."
MacInnis was immediately concerned as Morris lay writhing on the ice.
"Pavol (Demitra) gave it to me and I stopped it and it stood on end and it was like a knuckleball," said MacInnis, a former Flame.
"I was concerned it hit him in the face or eye but once I heard where he got it, I figured he'd be OK. You never want to hurt anybody."
Morris did not dress last night against the Stars.
MULLER'S CHANCE TO SHINE: The Stars have signed veteran winger Kirk Muller to a contract for the rest of the season.
Muller, 33, was an unrestricted free agent after scoring four goals and adding 11 assists for the Florida Panthers last season. He will join the Stars today when the team arrives in Edmonton for a game against the Oilers.
Muller has spent 15 seasons in the NHL, playing 1,114 games for New Jersey, Montreal, the New York Islanders, Toronto and Florida. He has 338 career goals and 553 assists.
-- With files from CP
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