Dallas – Stars eliminate Avalanche

The Dallas Stars secured a spot in the Western Conference Final with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 at Ball Arena. The winning goal came in the second overtime period when Matt Duchene found the back of the net at 11:42. Duchene’s reaction to the goal was pure elation, as he fell to his knees in celebration. Joe Pavelski played a crucial role in setting up the goal, locating the loose puck and delivering a backhand pass to Duchene, who fired a shot from below the right face-off circle over goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.

With this win, the Stars advance to the conference final where they will face either the Vancouver Canucks or the Edmonton Oilers. Vancouver currently leads the series 3-2 heading into Game 6. This marks Dallas’ second consecutive trip to the conference final, having lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, in six games in 2023.

The game had its fair share of suspense and controversy. In the first overtime, Mason Marchment appeared to score the winning goal for Dallas with a wrist shot from the slot. However, the goal was waved off due to goaltender interference against Duchene. The call was upheld after a video review, much to the disappointment of the Stars. Marchment expressed his frustration, acknowledging that the disallowed goal was a momentum swing in favor of the Avalanche. Nevertheless, the Stars managed to capitalize on their opportunities and secure the victory.

Jamie Benn played a pivotal role in the Stars’ comeback, scoring the tying goal early in the third period. He received a behind-the-back pass from Evgenii Dadonov and skillfully maneuvered past Georgiev before scoring on a backhand into the open net. Benn’s goal shifted the momentum in favor of Dallas and energized the team. Jake Oettinger also played a crucial role in the victory, making 29 saves for the Stars.

Dallas coach Pete DeBoer praised his team’s resilience and character, highlighting their ability to win three road games against the Avalanche, who were known for their strong home record. DeBoer commended the depth of the Stars’ roster and credited their collective effort for carrying them through the series.

For the Avalanche, Mikko Rantanen scored their lone goal on the power play in the second period. Despite a strong performance, Colorado coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the fatigue that set in as the game progressed. He commended his players’ efforts but lamented the disappointment of falling short in a hard-fought series against a formidable opponent like the Stars.

In the end, it was Duchene’s goal in double overtime that sealed the victory for the Stars. His name now joins a prestigious list of players in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history who have scored series-clinching goals in games that required multiple overtimes. With this win, coach DeBoer earned his 17th series win, tying him for the second-most among active head coaches.

The Stars will now take some time off to rest and prepare for the next round of the playoffs. As they look ahead to the Western Conference Final, they can take pride in their accomplishments thus far and draw inspiration from their impressive performance against the Avalanche.

In a thrilling Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round, the Dallas Stars emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The game went into double overtime, adding to the excitement and tension as both teams fought for a spot in the conference final.

Matt Duchene, who has a history of scoring clutch goals in overtime, once again came through for his team. At 11:42 of the second overtime period, Duchene found himself in the right place at the right time. Joe Pavelski, known for his ability to create scoring opportunities, located the loose puck during a scrum in front of the net and sent a backhand pass to Duchene. From just below the right face-off circle, Duchene unleashed a shot that sailed over the sprawling Alexandar Georgiev and into the back of the net. Duchene’s reaction to the goal was a mix of joy and disbelief, as he fell to his knees in celebration.

The win propels the Stars into the Western Conference Final, where they will face either the Vancouver Canucks or the Edmonton Oilers. The Canucks currently hold a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6. This marks Dallas’ second consecutive trip to the conference final, having fallen short in the previous year against the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.

The game was not without its share of controversy. In the first overtime period, Dallas thought they had secured the win when Mason Marchment scored a goal with a wrist shot from the slot. However, the goal was immediately waved off due to goaltender interference against Duchene. After a video review, the call was upheld, much to the disappointment of the Stars. Marchment expressed frustration over the disallowed goal, acknowledging its potential impact on the momentum of the game. Despite this setback, Dallas remained resilient and ultimately found a way to secure the victory.

Jamie Benn played a crucial role in the Stars’ comeback, scoring the tying goal early in the third period. Evgenii Dadonov delivered a behind-the-back pass to Benn, who skillfully maneuvered past Georgiev before depositing the puck into the open net with a backhand shot. Benn’s goal injected new life into the Stars’ game and set the stage for their eventual triumph.

The Stars’ victory was a testament to their depth and resilience as a team. Coach Pete DeBoer praised his players’ character and commended their ability to win three road games against the Avalanche, who boasted an impressive home record. Despite facing a more rested opponent in the Avalanche, the Stars dug deep and relied on their collective effort to secure the win.

On the other side, the Avalanche put up a valiant fight throughout the series. Mikko Rantanen provided the lone goal for Colorado, scoring on the power play in the second period. Despite their efforts, fatigue began to set in as the game wore on, leading to a drop in energy levels. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged his team’s hard work and defended their performance, recognizing the quality of the Stars as a contender in the league.

With the series-clinching goal, Duchene joined a prestigious group of players in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history who have scored game-winning goals in multiple overtime games. This victory also marked a significant milestone for Coach DeBoer, as he earned his 17th series win, placing him among the top active head coaches in terms of playoff success.

As the Stars move forward, they will take some time to rest and regroup before the next round of the playoffs. Their victory over the Avalanche serves as a source of inspiration and confidence as they prepare to face their next opponent in the Western Conference Final. The team can feel proud of their accomplishments thus far and will look to build on their impressive performance moving forward.