Dallas Stars Shut Out Wild 2-0 as Seminoff, Poirier Shine

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

DALLAS — Five months after Minnesota ended the Dallas Stars’ season in the first round of the playoffs, the Wild returned to American Airlines Center Wednesday night for a preseason matchup.

Dallas overcame a quiet first period to win 2-0, with Matthew Seminoff breaking the scoreless tie in the second and Rémi Poirier stopping all 24 Minnesota shots.

The Stars improved to 3-0 in the preseason with one game remaining Friday in Minnesota before the regular season begins Oct. 2.

Stars find life after slow start

Minnesota controlled much of the opening period, and Dallas couldn’t even put a shot on goal through the early minutes.

Then Dallas went on the penalty kill — and that’s when its offense finally showed up.

Seminoff created the Stars’ first shot while shorthanded, and Dallas began pushing back. Capobianco said the Stars had recognized something wasn’t working.

“I think early in the first period, we kind of saw that we were maybe being a little bit too passive in the neutral zone,” Capobianco said.

Dallas finished the first with only four shots, but came out differently in the second, putting 11 on net.

Seminoff made his presence felt another way just 1:39 into the period, dropping the gloves with Minnesota defenseman Carson Lambos. Both received five-minute fighting majors.

The two had crossed paths before in the Western Hockey League, and Seminoff said Lambos asked him to go.

“I kind of was, you know, looking for one a little bit,” Seminoff said. “Just want to try to get involved anyway.”

Less than 14 minutes later, Seminoff would get involved again — this time on the scoreboard.

Seminoff breaks the tie

Dallas couldn’t cash in on a brief 5-on-3, but Seminoff broke through at 15:33 of the second.

Capobianco found Seminoff, who finished from the slot for a 1-0 lead.

“He made a great entry, cut to the middle,” Seminoff said. “I’m not sure how he saw me, but made a great pass.”

Capobianco had a simpler explanation.

“Good things kind of happen when you throw it towards the net,” he said.

Dallas took the 1-0 lead into the third and kept pressing. One rebound left the Stars staring at an open net, but the chance went wide.

They didn’t miss the next one.

Esa Lindell made it 2-0 at 10:39, with Capobianco and Artem Shlaine assisting. It was Capobianco’s second assist of the night.

Poirier closes the door

Poirier stopped all 24 shots he faced to finish his first full preseason game with a shutout.

“I feel like this year I’m just settled in,” Poirier said. “I feel comfortable when I’m out there. Even if it’s NHL, I don’t even realize that’s NHL for me.”

He was tested late, including after Minnesota pulled Jesper Wallstedt with 57 seconds remaining, but kept the Wild off the board through a final scramble around the net.

Poirier also credited the players in front of him.

“Even if it’s a preseason game, guys are giving everything to block the shots,” Poirier said. “I think it says a lot about the organization and all the guys want it bad for the team.”

Gulutzan saw the same thing.

“You can see guys blocking shots,” Gulutzan said. “We’re in exhibition and, you know, it means something.”

Dallas has allowed just two goals through three preseason games.

“That’s kind of a mentality and a culture that you want from your group,” Gulutzan said. “We’ve played three games — not the wins or points at this time of year — but we’ve only allowed two goals.”

One preseason game left

Dallas leaves Wednesday with a shutout and a 3-0 preseason record, but there are still areas to clean up. The Stars went scoreless on five power-play opportunities, including a brief 5-on-3 in the second period.

Capobianco said he liked the more aggressive approach Dallas found as the game went on.

“It’s a little bit less passive and more aggressive and kind of being on your toes,” he said, “which is the style that I like.”

The Stars and Wild each finished with 24 shots. Attendance was 14,991.

Dallas gets one more tuneup Friday, Sept. 25, at Minnesota before opening the regular season Oct. 2 against the St. Louis Blues at American Airlines Center.