Ducks’ hunt for a repeat ends

DALLAS -- Too many penalties, too little scoring and, ultimately, too much of everything to overcome.

The end came much sooner than anyone in the Ducks’ dressing room could have anticipated. Even a one-goal lead in Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinal series against Dallas was too much for them to protect.

Another power-play goal by the Stars triggered a four-goal third period that went unanswered in a 4-1 victory Sunday night, officially ending the Ducks’ reign as champions in front of a joyous sellout crowd of 18,532 at the American Airlines Center.

Wearing the crown is a heavy burden, and the Ducks found that out from the moment they boarded a flight to London in September, hoping the journey through a long season would take them into June once again.

Instead, the Ducks will head home this April morning feeling empty.

“Anything short of the Stanley Cup is disappointing for this group,” goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere said. “Our goal is set on going all the way. That’s what we want to do. But I don’t think it was a lack of effort. We tried and we just couldn’t come up with a win.”

No champion has been able to repeat since the Detroit Red Wings in 1998, but the Ducks were thought to have a realistic chance with the nucleus of a veteran group that delivered all the big moments in their title run a year ago.

Ultimately, they Ducks were added to a list of teams that have found it impossible to climb the mountain a second time.

“I don’t think anyone wants it to end this way,” said defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who put aside retirement in December. “Obviously it’s very disappointing. You put yourself in a situation when you’re down 3-1 and you can’t afford any little mistakes.”

There were too many of those that the Stars capitalized on throughout the series. And the Ducks simply didn’t do enough in response.

All of that crystallized in the fateful third period Sunday. Unheralded defenseman Stephane Robidas, whose six points outscored every Ducks player, came up with the decisive plays in a 52-second span.

Playing with a broken nose suffered in Game 5, Robidas converted a power-play goal on Ryan Carter’s holding penalty early in the third -- the Stars’ ninth of the series -- and then set up Stu Barnes for the eventual winner at the 2-minute, 10-second mark.

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead two minutes into the second on Corey Perry’s goal, but they went into a shell when the occasion called for an attack. Stars goalie Marty Turco, who only had to stop 17 shots, didn’t need to make a save for nearly 24 minutes between Brian Sutherby’s shot at 4:49 of the second and Ryan Getzlaf’s soft wrist try at 8:47 of the third.

“I think what happened was we started to dump the puck out into the neutral ice and accept the waves,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “Guys were getting worn down and we didn’t execute to the level that was required. In the second period, they were able to grade the momentum and then they draw a penalty on the first shift in the third.”

With the Ducks pressing up ice at every opportunity, Dallas winger Loui Eriksson got behind the defense for a breakaway goal with 2:18 left. Mike Modano tacked on an empty-net goal as Pronger was serving a cross-checking penalty.

As the most penalized team in the NHL this season, the ending was fitting. Now there’s an uncertain future ahead with Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne again contemplating retirement at the top of the list. Niedermayer said he would talk with a few people, including his family, before making a final decision.

Meanwhile, the Stars cast aside three years of playoff failures, losing in the first round to Colorado in 2004 and 2006 and Vancouver in 2007. They are in the conference semifinals for the first time since 2003, when they lost in six games to the then-Mighty Ducks.

“It’s very gratifying for a team that has been through a lot,” Dallas Coach Dave Tippett said. “This is the first step in a mission that we all hope extends for a long time.”

It won’t be the case in Anaheim. The die was cast when the Ducks lost Games 1 and 2 at Honda Center in blowout fashion after going 47-27-8 with 102 points during the season to secure the home-ice advantage.

“Starting off your first two games at home and losing both, yeah, you’re scratching and clawing, trying to get back in the series,” Pronger said. “We gave ourselves an opportunity, being up 1-0 going into the third. It wasn’t meant to be.”

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eric.stephens@latimes.com