Dallas Stars defeat Calgary Flames in unforgettable Game 4
The Dallas Stars tie their series against the Calgary Flames with an impressive 62 shot effort and a hat trick performance from Joe Pavelski.
The Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames started Game 4 Sunday afternoon with the Flames ahead 2-1 in the series. Matthew Tkachuk missed this game with an undisclosed injury that some members of the media are reporting as a concussion. Ben Bishop was also reported unfit to play, giving Anton Khudobin the start and Jake Oettinger a spot on the bench as the backup.
This game had a pretty quiet start, with only a couple of penalty calls to each side. Some more obvious than others. It wasn’t until the second Flames penalty that a goal was scored. Joe Pavelski took advantage of the Stars second power play of the afternoon and got a shot past Cam Talbot. Despite the Flames being ahead 15-8 in hits and 14-11 in shots, they went into the second period down 1-0.
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The second period turned into a back and forth scoring battle. Johnny Gaudreau started it off with a power play goal to tie the game. Next came Joe Pavelski with gets his second goal of the afternoon. 43 seconds later, Sam Bennett tied it up once again on the power play. This string of goals all comes in the span of two minutes and three seconds and it doesn’t stop there.
Bennett wasn’t done in the period, as he lit the lamp once again this period on an even-strength goal to put the Flames ahead for the first time in this hockey game. Unfortunately, it is not enough to keep the lead as the Stars tied it back up in the last minute with a one-timer from Denis Gurianov.
In the third period, Tobias Rieder once again came up with a clutch shorthanded goal and gave the Flames another lead at 4-3. This is the third straight game the Flames score a shorthanded goal and Rieder’s third shorthanded goal of the series. Last game, it was Mikael Backlund who was able to score despite having one less skater on the ice.
The Flames did not put themselves in a very good spot this period, taking three penalties but were able to kill them off. Pavelski nearly scores his third of the afternoon, but after a Flames challenge, it is overturned due to goaltender interference from Corey Perry.
With just 12 seconds remaining, Dallas even up the game again and Pavelski got his hat trick after all. The Stars absolutely dominated the third period, making Cam Talbot face a career-high 50 shots against in regulation and the Stars outshot the Flames 21-6 that period.
In overtime, Gaudreau got a few good looks, but a well-timed block stopped his best scoring chance. Dallas continued to pressure the Flames and appeared to be the better-focused team. Ultimately, John Klingberg was the overtime hero and ties the series up for the Stars.
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Both Dallas and Calgary have two wins and will play Game 5 on Tuesday. Game times have not yet been announced.