Dallas Stars Beat Overtime In Thriller Against Tampa

In a game that produced frustration as well as multiple very special moments, the Dallas Stars pulled ahead to go into bye week with the losing streak off their backs.

Game Recap

The first period was by far the most intense in the regular 60 minutes. The Lightning struck first, and in fact scored the first two goals of the game uninterrupted. The first came from Victor Hedman, and the second was a power play goal from Tyler Johnson.

However, Antoine Roussel answered for both of these goals himself, in true Rooster fashion, in the span of six minutes to set the first intermission score at 2-2.

The Stars gave up yet another power play goal in the second, another to Victor Hedman, to put Tampa up 3-2. Dallas was struggling with trying to force their offense and were losing confidence in their passing.

But Roussel wasn’t done yet. Tying things up yet again at the beginning of the third, the Frenchman sent it all into overtime, where Kari Lehtonen put forth a solid effort in the net and Jamie Benn saw an opportunity and snatched up a beautiful goal to seal the Stars’ victory.

Thoughts and Observations

Tour de chapeau

The Dallas Stars became the Antoine Roussel show tonight, and #21 earned it. Roussel tallied his first ever career hattrick, and with it tied the game up twice, saving the Stars’ bacon and making extra free hockey a reality.

Roussel was hyper-vigilant tonight, and made the most of some good chances. His performance serves as almost a relief- the Stars do get chances, and when they take them, good things happen as a result.

One snipe to rule them all

When the Stars took it into overtime, I don’t think I was alone in not expecting much. The Stars have struggled with the 3 on 3 this season and haven’t pulled out many wins. However, tonight’s effort look much, much different than what we’re used to seeing in overtime from Dallas.

First of all, the goaltending was confident to a fault. Although Lehtonen could have been rattled by the prior goals allowed during the game (which had less to do with him than they did the defense), he stuck to his guns and ran the overtime like it belonged to him.

The second half of the equation was the offensive end. Jamie Benn, Cody Eakin, and John Klingberg took the extra time to new heights with a measure of intentionality and determination that the Stars have often lacked in overtime. When it came down to it, it was a series of slick moves and calculated passes between Benn and Eakin that resulted in the beautiful game winner.

Next: Stars Should Take Notes From Strader

While it’s great to head into the break on a high note, it makes saying goodbye to Stars hockey for the next 5 days a little more difficult than I was anticipating. But with Rous’s first hattrick, and an unexpected overtime win to welcome Dave Strader back to the broadcasting booth, I don’t think I’ll have too much trouble staying optimistic and thankful.

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