Dallas Stars Top 6 Penalty Shot Moments

The Dallas Stars have done some evolving over the last few seasons, and will hopefully prove in the next few months that all those growing pains were worth it. In the midst of all the not so good things over the last two seasons, though, the Stars put forth some rather memorable penalty shot efforts.

It’s a pretty special situation, a penalty shot; it’s a chance to for some players to try out the fancy footwork or demonstrate the shooting skills that they may not normally get to. Either way, the penalty shot is a solo effort: it offers players who may normally fade into the background of the game or who are planted firmly on the blue line a chance to shine.

So here, we celebrate the more unsung heroes of the Dallas Stars hockey world and their top 6 penalty shots from the last two seasons. Feast your eyes and enjoy all those silky mitts.

2013-2014 Season

Antoine Roussel v. Corey Crawford, Blackhawks. December 3, 2013 (W 4-3)

Granted, Roussel is a notable forward, but not one who got his reputation for his shots on goal. The French Bulldog led the team last season in penalty minutes with 148. For some perspective, that’s over double the minutes accumulated by the runner-up, Jamie Benn. So he’s a brawler, what of it? Even in this beautiful penalty shot, Roussel’s feisty nature comes out in his taunting of the Hawks fans after he beats Crawford. As you’ll see, his celly didn’t impress the play-by-play guys, but hey, it’s Antoine Roussel. Did they really expect him to go quietly?

Valeri Nichushkin v. Carey Price, Canadiens. January 2, 2014 (L 6-4)

It really is a shame that the big Russian was out most of the 14-15 season with a hip injury, but we can all look forward to his return this season and his integration back into the first or second line (depending on where you predict Lindy Ruff slotting Sharp, but that’s another story altogether, isn’t it?). Here Nichushkin demonstrates his staying power and determination. Having missed his first career penalty shot against Devan Dubnyk (still an Oiler, then) earlier in the season, he earns some redemption as he fires it past Carey Price to score on his second career penalty shot. And anyone who watched any portion of the 14-15 season (or even a small excerpt of this years’ NHL Award Show) can tell you that Carey Price is a goalie not to be sneezed at.

Jordie Benn v. Darcy Kuemper, Wild. January 21, 2014 (W 4-0)

Alright. This is a safe place, so we can all admit it: we give Jordie Benn a pretty hard time. Maybe it’s being the captain’s brother, maybe it’s his proclivity to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, maybe it’s a little of both. But even with all the chirping he gets, he definitely deserves some love over this awesome penalty shot in which he lets out some of the stagger swagger he has apparently been keeping bottled up. Lesson learned: anybody can have a trick up their sleeve, and you might be surprised at who is up to the task when called upon to shine. In an interview after the game, Jordie confirmed that, contrary to popular belief, he didn’t borrow the move from his little bro, but utilized one of his old go-to moves from his minor league days. Who said you ever needed to teach old dogs new tricks?

2014-2015 Season

Jason Spezza v. Cory Schneider, Devils. October 24, 2014 (SO W 3-2)

So maybe Spezza isn’t an unsung hero, per se. The only player besides the captain to play in all 82 games of the 14-15 season, Spezza also took third place in the team’s highest points ranking behind Benn and Seguin. Still, this penalty shot was just too pretty for me to leave out. And once you see it, too, I’m sure you won’t fault me for not being able to look the other way. The keyword here? Patience. The second keyword? Hands. If there’s a third keyword, I can’t think of it because the beauty of this penalty shot has literally frozen my brain. Well, just see for yourself, if you’re brave enough.

Travis Moen v. Brian Elliott, Blues. April 3, 2015 (L 7-5)

Moen is one of those players that can maybe get lost in the shadow of other forwards, at times. With 9 points (3 G, 6 A) on the entire season, it’s maybe a little surprising that he also scored 50% of the Dallas Stars’ penalty shots for the 14-15 season. And here’s his first: a very sure, confident penalty shot against the St. Louis Blues that could be considered the high point of his season, despite the fact that it was not enough to win the game.

Cody Eakin v. Pekka Rinne, Predators. April 4, 2014 (OT W 4-3)

Eakin is maybe, like Spezza, another player that doesn’t need to be talked up too much more. Not only do the other 50% of the Stars’ penalty shot goals for the season belong to Eakin, but he was also the third highest goal scorer on the team behind, surprise surprise, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. The moment of pressure in this video (they’re 3-3 against the Preds in overtime) really sums up Eakin’s maturation and growth into a solid second-line center, a pillar of the team who will contribute greatly in the coming season. His shot practically oozes confidence, and the whole team’s jubilation when he wins it for them in overtime should provide enough warm fuzzies to ease you through the last few agonizing weeks of the off-season.

So, moral of the story? Sometime there’s a hero in waiting in the shadows when you least expect it. Who do you see stepping up, rising to the challenge, and surprising us all in penalty shot situations next season?

Next: Desrosiers Goes Pro: Ascent To The Stars

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