The Dallas Stars were back home in American Airlines Center Sunday night matched up against the Calgary Flames. My first ever Stars game in Dallas was against Calgary and after a few heated playoff series, it’s safe to say I don’t like that team. Last Night in Texas Hockey: The Dallas Stars Put Out the Flames.
First Period Thoughts
The first period started off as rough as you could start a hockey game. They looked a tad slow and sloppy in the first minute or so and a bad defensive zone turnover lead to an odd man rush. Boom, Stars down 0-1 after blinking through puck drop.
The Dallas Stars also had three power play opportunities in the first period and went a cool 0-3. Earlier in the season we asked Pete DeBoer if he was worried about the power play and after 27 games in this season campaign, it’s safe to say we should all be weary of how it’s looking out there.
Luckily, Wyatt Johnston is starting to heat up.
Johnston taking the puck from the Flames in the offensive zone, flipping it to himself, a little kick off the skate, and great hand-eye-coordination with a quick wrister evened the playing field at one in the first period. We’ve been waiting for Wyatt to heat up to the scoring standard he set last season, and I think we’re starting to see that progression again as he’s up to six goals on the season.
Second Period Thoughts
The second period started much like the first period. There weren’t too many clean passes, and the Dallas Stars couldn’t get out of their own zone for a good amount of the first five minutes or so.
The referees have been a point of contention with Stars fans over the last couple of games. In Vegas, they couldn’t get a call and were getting handed ticky tacky calls. It seemed like that was the case Sunday night in American Airlines Center, but at a much lesser rate.
There were plenty of clear trips that were missed, and Jason Robertson got an interference call where the Flames player clearly dove. Nevertheless, that wasn’t going to stop Robo.
Right out of the box after serving his time in the sin bin, Robo gets a breakout pass and does the rest. Robo isn’t the fastest guy on the ice in any given night, but he had plenty of power and puck control to send the puck five-hole for the lead.
Unfortunately, later in the period, a puck clearing attempt from Mavrik Bourque hit the shin of a Calgary player and ended up in the back of the net. All square at two goals a piece headed into the third period.
Third Period Thoughts
Another slow start to a period for the first three minutes or so. Puck battles lost, not connecting passes, etc. Then all of a sudden tic tac toe happened.
Roope Hintz gets one off the sweet feed from Esa Lindell and the Stars grabbed the lead and never let go.
Sure, Sam Steel, that’ll work just fine to put out the Flames for the night.
Have a night, Thomas Harley! Two goals for the kid as he’s starting to get going offensively. Coach DeBoer said in his press conference that Harley is just now getting rewarded offensively for doing all the right things on both sides of the ice this season. He also said that Harley started to heat up offensively last season around this time as well.
The Dallas Stars put out the Flames 6-2 as they start their six game home stand. They’ve played 13 games in 25 nights and have received some earned time off for the next two days. They’ll be back in action Thursday night against the Nashville Predators.
Make sure to check out Apollo Media’s brand new NHL podcast with a focus on the Dallas Stars, Clean Sheet of Ice!
Last Night in Texas Hockey: The Dallas Stars Put Out the Flames.
