TAMPERE, Finland — The Stars had been looking forward to the NHL Global Series trip to Finland for months.
The week overseas brought team bonding and a chance for the Stars’ three Finnish players to play in front of their friends and families.
While the Stars were able to walk away with some meaningful memories, they returned home without a win.
The Stars (7-4) fell to the Florida Panthers (9-3-1) 4-2 Saturday less than 24 hours after their 6-4 loss Friday. While Dallas resolved some of its issues from the night before, the Panthers managed to find the differentiating goal early in the third period, and the Stars couldn’t respond.
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“We should be proud of the effort. The result sucks,” Stars forward Matt Duchene said. “Nice face off for them and a good shot, and that’s the difference.”
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Stars coach Pete DeBoer was disappointed with his team’s performance in the first period Friday where Florida managed to take 2-0 and 3-1 leads. On Saturday, the Stars looked to be the better team in the first 20 minutes, out-shooting Florida 9-7 and generating more quality chances.
But the Panthers entered intermission with a 1-0 lead on a goal by Evan Rodrigues.
Florida grew its lead to 2-0 midway through the second period, as an Esa Lindell penalty allowed Matthew Tkachuk to tip in a power-play goal.
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However, the Stars answered with two goals 34 seconds apart — the first from Evgenii Dadonov on a power play and the second from Duchene, his seventh of the young season. Dadonov’s goal was Dallas’ first on the man advantage since arriving in Finland, as the Stars started 0 for 5 and gave up a shorthanded goal Friday night.
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MATT DUCHENE!!!
Brand new game in Tampere, Finland. Stars have all the momentum right now after tying things up at 2-2. 🔥#TexasHockey
(via @DallasStars) pic.twitter.com/QkQfxmbgno — SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) November 2, 2024
Finnish defenseman Miro Heiskanen recorded the primary assist on Duchene’s goal, which he scored off a rebound. Two of the Stars’ three Finns recorded points in the Global Series after Lindell had two (one goal and one assist) in Friday’s game.
“I hope our Finns can still put in perspective how cool this was even though the result,” Duchene said.
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The two teams entered the third tied, but it took just 2:32 before AJ Greer scored off the face off. Dallas couldn’t find the equalizer over the last 17 minutes of the period. Florida added an empty-net goal by Sam Reinhart with under a minute to play.
Casey DeSmith got the start in goal for Dallas Saturday and made 20 saves.
The Stars were unable to secure a win over the defending champions but showed improvements between the two matchups. Nevertheless, they have work to do to beat the league’s best — and will have to get there back on North American ice.
“It’s a good lesson for us from this weekend, playing that team, to see what you have to do to win,” Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said. “It’s a great lesson for our group, and things we’ve got to work on.”
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