Marty Turco admits he's not much for training camp and the preseason.

Bottom line, the Stars goalie doesn't see it as that important.

But Turco admits it was nice to have a good game Thursday at American Airlines Center in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

"The way I set it all up was to get progress for the last couple of [preseason] games," Turco said. "So this was good."

Turco stopped 26 shots as the Stars put in an awkward performance. A Phoenix team that is rebuilding outshot the Stars 28-11 as Dallas had just nine shots on goal in regulation – five in the first period, two in the second and two in the third.

"It was not the kind of game we wanted to have," said defenseman Stephane Robidas, who scored the shootout-winning goal. "Now we have to go out and play better, and we have one preseason game to do that."

Turco said he's not sure if he will play in that game Saturday against Tampa Bay. He said he's been battling a bit of a cold and will make a decision today whether he thinks he needs the extra work. Bottom line, he said, he feels like he's getting close to ready.

"The body is good," he said. "Mentally, I'm just starting to find a groove."

Turco needed that groove against the Coyotes, especially after he allowed a trickling goal on a deflection with 3.2 seconds remaining in the first period to tie the score. After that mistake, Turco stiffened and allowed only a power-play goal to Phoenix rookie Martin Hanzal that gave the Coyotes a 2-1 lead.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Stars goalie Marty Turco gets a good look at a Phoenix shot in Thursday's exhibition.

Dallas came back on a Stu Barnes goal late in the second period, and that set up a game of chess in the third period. The Stars – who were missing a few key players in Jere Lehtinen (shoulder), Philippe Boucher (knee), Antti Miettinen (tooth) and Mike Ribeiro (ankle) – still haven't fixed their problems in defensive zone coverage and puck possession mistakes. So Turco had to come through.

"I think without both of our goaltenders, we probably wouldn't have won the last two games," said Robidas, also pointing to a 5-4 overtime win in Colorado behind Mike Smith. "It's good to know we have them."

It's also good to know the Stars still have the reliable old shootout.

Coach Dave Tippett decided to test a few of his more inexperienced players, sending Joel Lundqvist, Junior Lessard and Chris Conner out first. All three were stopped. On the other end, Turco stopped Hanzal, Radim Vrbata and Shane Doan to send the shootout into overtime.

Sergei Zubov then scored on his patented backhand, but Turco was fooled by Peter Mueller to force another round.

Robidas, who did not score a goal last season, then got the call from the bench.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Stars goalie Marty Turco helped Dallas hold on for the victory.

Surprised, he skated out to center ice while his teammates were chuckling. Robidas said Jeff Halpern and Steve Ott kept yelling, "Slapper, slapper."

"So I thought, I'll try it," Robidas said.

He did and blistered the net. Turco, who is 17-5 in regular-season shootouts, then came up with a big save on Mike York, and the shootout went in the book as the Stars moved to 3-2-1 in the preseason.

Turco, however, said he still doesn't enjoy the tiebreaking funfest.

"I'm a fan of it for the fans," he said. "But, no, I don't enjoy it."