The Victory Green Gang are in Tampere for the NHL Global Series, and their Suomi superstars are showing them around.
The Dallas Stars are playing a back-to-back series against the reigning Stanley Cup champions this weekend. But the opportunity to make a big statement against the Florida Panthers is only part of what makes the upcoming NHL Global Series special.
Yes, there are four points on the line – but head coach Pete DeBoer also wants to emphasize the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of playing a series in Finland. Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial with NHL.com, took a long look at the Stars’ storylines for a new piece at the big site:
“I want them to go and enjoy it,” [DeBoer] said. “Obviously, we are playing the Stanley Cup champions and we have an opportunity to make a statement with the two games but that is toward the end of the week. I want to get on the plane and for the next three or four days have them enjoy the experience. They deserve that.”
One of DeBoer’s key moves has been to appoint Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, and Roope Hintz – the heart of the Stars’ Finnish Mafia – as team tour guides. But their actual plans are very much under wraps:
“It’s a secret,” Heiskanen said, with a smile.
Lindell wouldn’t spill much either, although he did let slip that there is a trip to the sauna planned after practice in Helsinki on Monday….
Lindell knows the atmosphere that awaits at Nokia Arena this weekend. He played in the building for Finland during the 2022 IIHF World Championship and can’t wait to show his Stars teammates his home and to show his friends and family, many of whom will see him play live in the NHL for the first time, his team.
“It’s going to be special,” he said. “Plenty of friends, some of whom haven’t seen a NHL game live, so special that way, too. Special for the boys. I’m happy to have the Finnish people see an NHL game.”
You can read the whole thing here. [NHL]
Stars Stuff
Look who’s getting love from the whole league.
The Finnish influence has steered the Stars for most of their history. And with the NHL Global Series coming this week, they’ve released an entire mini-doc about it. [Victory+]
Meanwhile, they’re taking an extra defender to Tampere as insurance.
#Murder Was The Case
It was a busy weekend in the Dirty Central. Here’s what happened:
- Has the Nashville Predators’ backup battery kicked in? They won two games this weekend, first a 3-2 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks… [On The Forecheck]
- …then a 4-3 OT nailbiter on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets that gave former Stars G Scott Wedgewood time to shine. [NHL]
- The Minnesota Wild dropped a trap game to the Philadelphia Flyers, who broke a six-game losing streak with a 7-5 win. [Pioneer Press]
- Utah Hockey Club lost a 3-2 decision to the Los Angeles Kings as Joel Edmundson scored his first two goals for the L.A. squad. [NHL]
- The St. Louis Blues erased a two-goal deficit but couldn’t close the deal against the Montreal Canadiens in a 5-2 loss. [NHL]
- And the Winnipeg Jets made it eight in a row with a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park, And Beautiful Boise
The Texas Stars have thrown some amazing theme parties, but Fallout Night may be that untoppable evening of honking supersynergy that practically forces them to sit back and watch their legend grow. And there’s a whoooole story behind it that you won’t want to miss. [100 Degree Hockey]
By the way, they won the game and the weekend series against the Iowa Wild.
It wasn’t all bottlecaps up north, though – the Idaho Steelheads took their first L of the season on Saturday night, splitting the series with the Toledo Walleye (Detroit Red Wings).
Finally
Two-sport athlete Jamie Benn, ladies and gentlemen. Your captain. Look at him go.