Sam’s Story: Stars Doomed by Penalties, Pick Up Point in OT Loss to Leafs

Two teams battled in a game of penalties, then a little bit of a hockey game broke out. 

In the end, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime. But before that, there were 12 power plays between the two clubs. 

Dallas has struggled with penalties all season. Tonight was no different…well actually it was but not in a good way. The Stars were short-handed a season-high eight times, about triple the average of a regular NHL game. 

“Good to get a point, a lot of penalties,” Seguin said. “Some I definitely didn’t really agree with.” 

“We just took ourselves out of the game with penalties,’ Stars Head Coach Pete DeBoer said. “Two games in a row, so it’s not a problem yet, but it’s a concern and we’ve got to get it fixed.” 

But for the fourth straight time, the Dallas penalty kill stepped up, killing off all but one of the eight opportunities for Toronto. The lone power-play goal by Alex Kerfoot tied the game at one in the second period. 

After dominating the first period and outshooting Toronto 11-6, Dallas was mostly outplayed for the remainder of the game. Despite only allowing one goal on the eight power-play chances, any chance of gaining momentum was thrown out the window as the Stars constantly pushed just to get through another penalty kill. 

“Our PK did a great job, but when we’re taking so many penalties, it’s hard for anyone to really stay in rhythm,” Seguin said.  

In the third, Dallas trailed for just the second time all season. But on their own power play, Tyler Seguin tied the game at two off of a beautiful all-Ontario passing play from Wyatt Johnston and Mason Marchment….or so it seemed. 

First, the official waived the goal off for incidental contact with the goaltender. But Stars video coach Kelly Forbes put on his cape and urged Pete DeBoer to challenge the goal, which was eventually overturned and resulted in a 2-2 game. 

“I figured that it wouldn’t count because they went no goal on the ice and it took that long,” Seguin said. “But I didn’t think I did anything wrong, so I’m happy.” 

Eventually, Jason’s younger brother, Nick Robertson, scored his second of the night in his season debut on a 3-on-1 in overtime to hand Dallas their first loss of the season. But looking at the stats, they were probably fortunate to even get a point in the standings rather than being run out of the building. 

Backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood was excellent, as usual, stopping 40 of 43 Toronto shots. His excellent play, along with the penalty kill were the reason that Dallas recorded a point for the fourth straight game this season. 

“Felt good, first full three periods of the year,” Wedgewood said. “I felt good, felt calm, my reads were pretty good. Just off-puck stuff that you don’t get to really build up unless you’re playing, but was pretty on point.” 

Sam’s Three Stars

• First Star: Nick Robertson, TOR (2 goals)
• Second Star: Scott Wedgewood, DAL (40 saves on 43 shots–16 saves on 17 PP shots)
• Third Star: Tyler Seguin, DAL (1 goal) 

He Said It

“It’s a good road point,” DeBoer said. “I thought Wedgewood was excellent. Found a way to get a point in a tough building. We knew they would be really good, and they were. Had we been able to stay out of the box, I liked our chances of winning the game.”