Robertson’s Late Goal Lifts Stars Over Flames in Overtime Thriller
DALLAS — Jason Robertson emerged as the hero for the Dallas Stars, netting his second goal of the game with a mere 43 seconds remaining in overtime to secure a 3-2 victory against the Calgary Flames at the American Airlines Center on Thursday. The decisive goal came moments after Calgary’s Nazem Kadri narrowly missed a game-winning opportunity, his shot clanging off the post.BR
“Thank God it hit the post,” Robertson remarked, reflecting on the heart-stopping sequence. “[We] trust that Jake [Oettinger]’s going to come out and make a save or at least force them to make a bad shot. It’s overtime, it happens. It goes back and forth. Someone hits the post, someone goes back the other way. It’s hockey. That’s why everyone loves 3-on-3.”
Stars’ Resilient Performance
The Stars, displaying their resilience, have now triumphed in 13 of their last 17 games (13-3-1). Wyatt Johnston contributed a goal and an assist, while Roope Hintz dished out two assists, further fueling Dallas’ offensive firepower. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stood tall in net, turning away 26 shots to preserve the victory.BR
“I don’t think we’ve been as good maybe the last few games as we’re capable of. I think there might be a little bit of fatigue playing into that. That’s the nice thing, we’re winning games still not with our best,” Dallas forward Matt Duchene admitted. “We’re not satisfied. We want to be better. We’re happy with the win tonight but we’re not satisfied with the game. That’s the way winning teams have to be.”
Flames’ Valiant Effort
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Calgary Flames showcased a commendable performance. Joel Farabee and Mikael Backlund each found the back of the net, while goaltender Dan Vladar made 24 saves in a valiant effort. BR
“I thought we played a good game. We knew [Dallas] was going to play with some pace. They are a very skilled team, and they are rolling right now, so I thought we did a really good job right away,” Backlund stated. “We played a solid game all night, and Vladař played really well for us too, and made some big saves. It’s a tough one, but we have to move on. Tomorrow is a new day, and we have to focus on the next game and try to win that one.” BR
Farabee opened the scoring for Calgary at 2:13 of the first period, showcasing his skill by maneuvering around Dallas defender Lian Bichsel before firing a shot from the slot.
Early Goals and Momentum Swings
Backlund extended Calgary’s lead to 2-0 at 2:29 of the second period, capitalizing on a rebound in the slot and snapping a 15-game goalless drought.BR
“Definitely a tough road trip. It was the last game of a long one, and sometimes those are the hardest. [Dallas] is a really good team and this building gets rocking. There were a lot of momentum swings, and I thought we played a pretty good game,” Farabee said a good effort that they did on the match.BR
Johnston ignited the Stars’ comeback at 4:06, pouncing on a rebound from a Mathew Dumba point shot, extending his point streak to eight games. He has amassed an impressive 14 points during that span (eight goals, six assists).BR
“I think just the belief in the group and obviously the leadership we have [keeps us calm],” Johnston shared with a smile . “There’s just no panic, no matter the situation we’re in we just feel we can get the win, you know, whatever that situation is so it’s just kind of sticking with it and if you do all the right things, things will eventually go your way.”
Robertson’s Tying and Winning Goals
Robertson knotted the score at 2-2 at the 9:00 mark of the third period, unleashing a precise shot from the top of the left face-off circle. He then completed his heroic performance with the overtime winner, sealing the victory for the Stars.BR
“Now the most important game of the year becomes our next one in Calgary.”said Calgary coach Ryan Huska.BR
The Stars completed a perfect 4-0-0 homestand and have now won seven consecutive home games. They are also tied for the NHL lead with 24 home wins. Hintz extended his point streak to six games (16 points; three goals, 13 assists).
Stars Continue Dominant Home Form
The Dallas Stars’ victory not only showcased their offensive prowess but also highlighted their unwavering determination and ability to overcome adversity. The team’s exceptional home record further solidifies their status as a formidable force within the league. The contribution by every player in the game, makes the Dallas Stars a dangerous team this year. The solid play from the goalkeeper accompanied by the team work from the Dallas Stars Player, has proved that The Dallas Stars is a hard team to beat this year. Their next Game will make them one step closer to their ultimate goal.
