DALLAS _ It wasn't just that the Sharks had only four shots on goal in a lifeless first period. Or failed to exhibit any type of pushback early in the second when they fell behind the Dallas Stars by two goals.
It was that Jamie Benn, a former Art Ross Trophy winner, slipped past everyone on a faceoff right next to the Sharks net, took a pass from Alex Hemsky and beat goalie Aaron Dell for a three-goal Stars lead just 5:19 into the second period.
That's when it became painfully apparent that the Sharks were not emotionally invested. That's when coach Pete DeBoer called a time out and let loose with a blistering tirade in plain view, unlike anything seen before in his nearly two years with the team.
It wasn't close to enough, as the Stars rolled to a 6-1 win, sending the Sharks to their fifth straight loss in regulation time.
It's the first time the Sharks have lost five straight in regulation time since Jan. 2011, when they lost six straight from Jan. 3-13.
Forward Adam Cracknell had his first career hat trick and Jason Spezza recorded three assists as the Stars beat the Sharks twice in five days.
But it was Benn's goal that set DeBoer off.
After Joe Pavelski lost a draw to Cody Eakin, Hemsky, at the top of the circle, found a wide open Benn just in front of Dell. Benn wasn't touched by Joe Thornton as he took a stride toward the net, and Brent Burns couldn't get over in time.
Benn took the pass on his forecheck, backhanded the puck to himself and roofed over an outstretched Dell for a 3-0 Stars lead.
After Cracknell's second goal at the 7:08 mark, Thornton scored to cut the Stars lead to 4-1.
Cracknell added an unassisted goal after he intercepted a Dell pass and beat the Sharks goalie on a breakaway and John Klingberg put the icing on the cake with a goal at the 5:20 mark.
