Dallas Stars’ Captain Jamie Benn Missed in Loss to Flames
A loss is never easy to take. It’s even more difficult when you have to take it without your captain.
Neither the Dallas Stars nor Jamie Benn would claim that this season has been positive. It has just been one of those years and Dallas just cannot seem to get it together. It is not for lack of trying or opportunity, though.
Friday night’s 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames served as yet another supporting example of the struggles this team has endured this year. Captain Benn was not in the line-up and it really showed on the ice.
Leadership
As the established leader of the team, No. 14’s presence is paramount to their game. Although his performances this season have been underwhelming for a number of reasons, his participation and leadership in games is crucial.
Benn leads by example and tries to put the team on his back when things go wrong. He takes the blame in losses and gives credit to others in victory. His level of modesty in regards to his abilities and career thus far is immense and continuously shows his superior leadership skills.
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However, his absence due to an upper-body injury on Friday night hurt the team’s morale. They were without their fearless leader who plays in every situation on the ice. No. 14 can be found on the first power play unit, is most commonly on the first line and partners with another defensively responsible forward on the penalty kill.
Benn does it all and is not ashamed of the work he does, but his absence hurts the Stars more than most realize.
Physicality
Oftentimes Benn’s physicality on the ice is the most notable characteristic of his style of play. The Victoria native is not afraid to throw his weight around and drop the gloves to get his team’s energy up.
That spirit is likely what led him to sit out on Friday night, being that he fought Vancouver’s Nikita Tryamkin in Thursday night’s 4-2 win over the Canucks. Benn saw an opportunity to spark his team and took it without much thought at all. While the fight initially resulted in a Canucks goal in the final minute of the second period, Dallas was able to score two in the final twenty to come up with the two points.
Although there are other physical players on the Stars, Stephen Johns and Jamie Oleksiak being the stand outs, Benn is the full package on the ice. His contributions are notable in nearly every Stars match-up and, therefore, it makes sense that his absence would be felt rather greatly.
Next: Stars Breaking Records, but Not Positive Ones
Tomorrow’s Game Versus San Jose
Benn is expected to return to the line-up tomorrow night as the Stars return home to host the San Jose Sharks. Dallas most recently fell to the Sharks in a 5-1 loss on March 12 and will be looking for retaliation as they drop the puck on their home turf.