Dallas Stars (2007 playoff brawl series)

Lore & Background

The 2007 playoff series between the Canucks and Stars was supposed to be a straightforward first-round matchup, but it quickly descended into chaos. The catalyst came in Game 1 when Dallas forward Steve Ott delivered a controversial hit on Canucks rookie Ryan Kesler, igniting a series of retaliations that spiraled into full-scale brawls. By Game 4, the benches emptied twice, and the series became as much about settling scores as winning games. The hatred was personal: Stars agitator Ott, defenseman Stephane Robidas, and captain Brenden Morrow vs. Canucks enforcers Matt Cooke, Kevin Bieksa, and the Sedin twins, who were targeted relentlessly.

The series featured multiple fights, a suspension, and a goalie duel between Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco that went to overtime in Game 7. Vancouver won the series 4-3, but the bitterness lingered for years, with fans still referencing 'the brawl series' as the moment the Canucks learned to fight back.

Reader's Guide

Opponent: Dallas Stars. The rivalry peaked in the 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals. What made it personal was the cheap-shot hit by Steve Ott on Ryan Kesler in Game 1, which the Canucks viewed as a deliberate attempt to injure. The series devolved into bench-clearing brawls, with both teams targeting stars like the Sedins and Morrow. The moment that crystallized the hatred came in Game 4, when a scrum after a whistle led to a full-scale line brawl, including both goalies skating to center ice. Fans still reference 'the brawl series' as the night the Canucks shed their soft reputation and embraced a nasty edge.

Did You Know?

• The 2007 series featured two bench-clearing brawls, one in Game 4 and another in Game 6.
• Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo faced over 40 shots in three games of the series, including a 47-save performance in Game 7.