the stampede accumulated a 112–52–11 overall record in its first three years of operation; however, the team's top four scoring players from the previous season, including vanek, would not return for the 2002–03 season. after 52 games, coach gasparini's 21–25–6 team was in the midst of a six-game losing streak and ranked last in goals allowed per game. the poor performance prompted the ownership group to relieve gasparini from his coaching duties and appoint assistant coach ted belisle as interim head coach in an attempt to salvage the team's playoff chances. the team finished its remaining eight games 3–5–0. the stampede failed to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with a 24–30–6 record while also accruing a total of 1404 penalty minutes, the most of any team that season. belisle was not retained as head coach.