Energetic Stars Overcome in Third, Falling 5-1 to Host Red Wings to Open Traverse City Tournament

Matthew Seminoff takes a faceoff against the Griffins in a file photo from December 20, 2023 (Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

 [Editor’s Note: Tonight’s summary and observations from the first of two games in Traverse City is the debut piece by Isaac Percastegui, who will be one of the staff writers joining 100 Degree Hockey this season. He and the others will all get their own author logins (and introduction articles) before the season but for tonight, this piece is published as the editor in chief, Stephen Meserve.]

The Dallas Stars prospects have a few things to talk about heading into Game 2 of a two-game exhibition tournament in Traverse City after losing to the host Detroit Red Wings 5-1 tonight.

The Stars prospects began the game with a strong start. Defensive pressure from the defensemen up to the forwards was stellar and led to a goal by newcomer Arttu Hyry, assisted by Dallas’ newest first round pick, Emil Hemming. Despite minor miscues on drop passes, the Stars dominated their rivals heading into the second period. 

The Red Wings seemed to have made adjustments coming back from the break, bringing more energy on attacking opportunities and pushing the Stars to their defensive end. Though Detroit was making the game more competitive with smart passing throughout the ice, Dallas’ defensive transitions helped level the playing field, demonstrating strong positional awareness to not let the rivals equalize with a goal of their own as the middle frame came to a close.

The third period is where the Stars began to break down. 

Early in the frame, the Stars conceded two goals within a span of five minutes. After the second goal, two Dallas players were sent to the box: minor penalties to forwards Joey Henneberry and Justin Ertl. Just five seconds after Ertl stepped off, Red Wings forward Jakub Rychlovsky converted on the power play to put up a third goal for Detroit. 

As the period played on, the Stars became more aggressive in pushing the puck forward, but at the cost of being less tactical with their passing and possession. The Wings capitalized on mistakes and miscommunication from their opponents to score twice more to close out the game. 

Even though the score might imply a poor team performance, it is important to note that this was a performance from a team that had just two practices prior to the game. With that being said, there are still things and players to show early optimism to the Stars’ fan base. 

For starters, as Bob Kasey from the Detroit Red Wings broadcast team commented, Dallas was playing on “instinct,” encouraging the idea that with more coordination and training from the staff the Stars can be one of the best teams in the AHL owing in part to the talent that Texas has. 

Ben Kraws and Lian Bichsel are definitely two players that the Stars organization should keep an eye on for the upcoming season. 

Kraws has the size and agility to be a great goalkeeper for the team, even impressing Kasey throughout the game with his ability to make difficult saves “look easy.” With Remi Poirier coming to the end of his contract by the end of the 2024-25 season, Kraws seems to be the player that can produce the same, if not better, goalkeeping abilities that was seen by Poirier last year in the regular and postseason. 

Bichsel showed great improvements in his skills and maturity after his time playing in the Swedish league. Showing the dedication and malleability to become a better hockey player year by year, Bischel will be a fan favorite and someone that could inspire hope to the Stars community. 

With another game to cap off the two-game exhibition in Traverse City, the Stars will look to improve upon their team play for one final Sunday afternoon match against the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow at 1:30 PM CT.