Dallas Stars: Heiskanen, Robertson, and Others Shine in Traverse City
Prospects of the Dallas Stars traveled to Traverse City, Michigan over the weekend to compete in an eight-team tournament.
To say that some prospects for the Dallas Stars played well at the NHL Prospect Tournament over the weekend would be an understatement. Here is a game-by-game analysis of the Stars’ play in Michigan
Game 1 – New York Rangers
The Stars started off the tournament with a 7-5 win against the prospects from the New York Rangers.
The Stars and Rangers finished the first period tied 2-2, with goals coming from Nick Caamano and Jakob Stenqvist. Highly-touted defensive prospect Miro Heiskanen scored a highlight-reel coast-to-coast goal, and Adam Mascherin had a power-play goal and an empty-netter. Curtis Douglas and Niklas Hansson each tacked on goals of their own.
Game 2 – Detroit Red Wings
Dallas was dealt a loss in the second game by the Detroit Red Wings, the host team on Saturday.
The Stars were down 2-0 after the first, but Michigan’s Tony Calderone was able to put one in the back of the net, scoring Dallas’ only goal of the game.
Detroit downed the Stars 3-1.
Game 3 – Minnesota Wild
The Stars’ final scheduled game of the tournament before the playoffs was against Central Division rivals, the Minnesota Wild.
Game 3 was the most physical game the Stars played in the tournament. Adam Mascherin dropped the gloves in the first after a hit on Stars’ 2018 first round pick Ty Dellandrea was hit along the boards. Sam Laberge also got in a fight in the second period.
In terms of scoring, Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal in the first period and potted a breakaway goal in the second period for his second of the game. Miro Heiskanen also added two goals—and, like Robertson, one came on the power-play. Despite Robertson and Heiskanen’s offensive production, the Wild got the better of the Stars in the shootout, winning 5-4.
Game 4 – 5th Place Game – Carolina Hurricanes
In game four—and Dallas’ last—of the NHL Prospect Tournament, the Stars went up against the prospects of the Carolina Hurricanes. However, they would do so without Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and Colton Point, who all got the day off.
Tony Calderone, who was an alternate captain (along with Nick Caamano) for the game, opened the scoring to make it 1-0. Ben Gleason (who plays with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL), a free agent invite, scored as well, increasing Dallas’ lead to 2. The Canes ended up scoring two goals (including one with 14 seconds remaining in the period) to tie the game after the opening period.
Brett Davis and James Phelan scored goals for the Stars, lengthening the lead to 4-2. Aforementioned Gleason scored on the power play to tally his second goal of the game to make it 5-2. Laberge scored a short-handed goal, and John Nyberg scored Dallas’ last of the tournament to make the score 7-3.
Finishing Records
- St. Louis Blues (1-2-1)
- New York Rangers (1-3)
- Carolina Hurricanes (1-3)
- Dallas Stars (1-2-1)
- Minnesota Wild (3-1)
- Chicago Blackhawks (2-2)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (4-0)
- Detroit Red Wings (2-2)
Place Games
7th Place Game: St. Louis Blues 8, New York Rangers 4
5th Place Game: Carolina Hurricanes 3, Dallas Stars 7
3rd Place Game: Minnesota Wild 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
Championship Game: Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Detroit Red Wings 3