Breadcrumbs No More

Times are changing.

Since 2019 I have been bringing you annual articles called Breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs was a weekly to bi-weekly submission of all things hockey in Texas. That’s still happening, but I want to introduce you all to my new annual article with the hockey-centric title, “The Third Intermission”.

Here on the Third Intermission, I will be covering all things Texas hockey. Yes, the Dallas Stars will be getting a majority of the coverage, but it’s time that Texas hockey got the recognition it deserves. I will be bringing you stories from all over this great state of Texas that have to do with things on and around the ice.

That being said, out with the old and in with the new. The Third Intermission, brought to you by the fine folks that created me, Mom and Dad.

The Suspension that could have Benn

With the recent anarchy taking place between the NHL and the NHL Department of Player Safety, Jamie Benn found himself in the thick of things on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center.

Just under halfway through the 2nd period against the Arizona Coyotes, Benn laid a questionable hit on Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He would be issued a 5-Minute major for boarding and assessed a game misconduct. Benn’s night would be over but the Stars would ultimately secure the win, 3-2.

Dallas #Stars captain Jamie Benn will not be disciplined for this hit on #Yotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larrson. pic.twitter.com/6YxQJRBlU7 — 🎙 Off The Clock Sports 🎙 (@offclockpodcast) February 20, 2020

Instantly, the Internet storm brewed. Fans and players alike prepared for a war of words on the Department of Player Safety.

The fact that Ottawa’s Scott Sabourin was given a game misconduct and fined for playfully squirting water at Jets Mark Scheifele only added fuel to the fire. It’s hard to put your trust in a group that is tasked with enforcing the law with the player’s safety in mind. This is especially true when you are dishing out fines for what is the equivalent of a Super Soaker battle in the back yard during summer.

It makes little to no sense at all, but the Stars front office and fans both let out a sigh of relief when it was announced that Benn would be receiving no suspension for his hit on Ekman-Larsson.

Player Safety viewed it as a 50-50 puck chase, not a typical boarding suspension where one player was tracking another. They felt it was definitely worth the boarding major which Benn got in-game, but felt it didn't rise to the level of supplemental discipline. https://t.co/0i0YP5ImKu — Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 20, 2020

The Kid is Alright

Jason Roberston’s debut NHL stint came to close as the Stars ended a successful Canadian swing taking 5 out of 6 possible points. In his time with Dallas, Robertson recorded an assist on a Tyler Seguin goal that would end a 17-game skid for Seguin, removing the existential monkey off of #91’s back.

Robertson also racked up 4 shots on goal and averaged 12:19 of ice time in his time with the Stars. All in all, it was a solid debut for the former 2nd round draft pick.

With Alexander Radulov healthy, Robertson would not see the ice-time needed to continue to develop the young winger’s career. Thus, the move back to the AHL affiliate Texas Stars will give Robertson the chance for 20 plus minutes of ice time, and a better chance for fans to see him make a lengthy return to Dallas one day soon.

Big Game in Big D

The Stars will don their Winter Classic threads for one final time tonight as they take on the St Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and they could not have picked a better night.

The Blues come to town with 78 points, best in the Western Conference. The Stars take the ice with 76; that’s second in the West for those counting.

Friday night’s tilt has all the big game implications. The Blues ousted the Stars last season and went on to hoist the Stanley Cup. The Stars and Blues both find themselves firmly in control of a playoff berth in the West. With a win tonight, the Stars would align with the Blues for the top spot in the West.

Big. Game. Feeling.

Not to mention, it’s Jamie Benn Winter Classic Bobblehead night. The big game gets bigger.

Bobbleheads are so realistic these days. 😂 Arrive early and add this classic to your collection! The first 10,000 fans through the gates Friday get this Jamie Benn #WinterClassic bobblehead. #STLvsDAL | #GoStars pic.twitter.com/HHpBrVCcGc — Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 20, 2020

Americans Back-to-Back Weekend Home Tilts

With the win on Tuesday against the Tulsa Oilers, the Allen Americans bolstered their efforts to find themselves back in the ECHL playoffs. The look to further their campaign to take back the Kelly Cup as the mascot, Biscuit, celebrates his birthday tonight at the Allen Events Center as the Americans take on the Oilers once more this week.

Tomorrow the Americans welcome the Wichita Thunder to town for their Star Wars Night.

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda Join us for a weekend of hockey, starting Friday night with Biscuit's Birthday and Saturday for the annual Allen Americans Star Wars Night featuring specialty jerseys and Star Wars characters! 🎟️ https://t.co/PfSKuTyUYh pic.twitter.com/BqhrhORYwi — Allen Americans (@AllenAmericans) February 19, 2020

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times. Minor league hockey is the best value in town, so go out and support your local minor league clubs!

Q&A

With The Third Intermission comes new topics, new styles, and new questions. What do you want to know? What do you want to see? From here on out I will begin a Q&A special edition where I will answer any and all things hockey. So get those questions ready and let’s take The Third Intermission to the moon!

As always, thanks for reading and make sure to check out all my articles and stories around the sports world at Sports Media Pass.

I am a retired softball legend and an unrestricted beer league hockey free agent. I swing sticks for fun on the ice and links and am constantly feeding my YouTube addiction. I am forever grateful to the state of Minnesota for their hockey team in 1994 and more grateful for the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup in 1999.