Turns out Mother Nature is a Dallas Stars fan! The Stars once again invited fans to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the game at the Official Watching Party, hosted by yours truly, on Victory Plaza outside American Airlines Center. All night long there were threats of inclement weather, and all night storm cells popped up around us, even teasing us with drops of rain here and there, but the sever weather stayed away just long enough for what would be a very memorable evening. Check out my INSTAGRAM STORY from the Game 5 Watching Party
As we've seen for most games between the Stars and Blues, the team that score first usually goes on to win, and less than 3 minutes into Game 5 Tyler Seguin grabbed the puck behind the goal line and found Jason Spezza in front and Spets potted his third of the post-season.
Then, in the first 5 minutes of second period, Alexander Radulov took the puck through center ice, made a nifty behind the back pass to trailing defenseman Esa Lindell, who swooped in on the backhand, got a nice deflection off Blues' defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, and BOOM! 2-0 Stars!
It seemed like the outcome was a foregone conclusion as Stars goalie Ben Bishop was playing out of his mind. The only way the Blues might score is if Bish made some error... um, roll the tape.
As we've seen time and again with Ben Bishop, and what makes this Stars team different than those of the past, is the mental fortitude of the men between the pipes. Bish was able to compartmentalize the gaff and continue to stand on his head. The save he made moments later in the third period on Oskar Sundqvist is the stuff of legend. Check out this game saver (and possible Series saver).
The Stars and Ben Bishop once again put the game on lock down, and when the final horn sounded it was a happy bunch in Victory Green on the ice, while the slightly rain soaked Stars faithful erupted on Victory Plaza. It's always fun to announce STARS WIN!!
In the room afterward, Stars' Captain Jamie Benn presented the player-of-the-game Cowboy Hat to defenseman Esa Lindell, who not only had the game-winning goal, but also logged nearly 30 minutes of ice time in the victory.
The Dallas Stars now look to close out the Series Sunday at 2pm in Game 6 at American Airlines Center. Head Coach Jim Montgomery knows they'll have to play better, and goalie Ben Bishop knows the Blues will bring their best game. If you're coming to the game Stars fans you need to also bring YOUR best game and be LOUD all day. #GO STARS! Check out my INSTAGRAM STORY from the Game 5 Watching Party