Dallas, TX

Drought in Dallas, Kraken Shut Out | Seattle Kraken

Published

3 months ago

October 14, 2024

Drought in Dallas, Kraken Shut Out | Seattle Kraken

DALLAS –The Kraken fell behind, 2-0, for a second straight night, this time against one of the Western Conference’s top teams during this decade. But there was no reversal of momentum here in Texas. The Stars moved to 3-0 on the season with a decisive 2-0 victory. Dallas has yet to allow a goal in six periods at home this season.

Seattle finished with 25 shots on goal, testing new Dallas backup goalie Casey DeSmith on a few chances, especially in the second period. But DeSmith and goalie partner Jake Oettinger both own shutouts already. The Stars’ two-goal lead was built in less than a quarter-minute via two first-period goals scored 13 seconds apart.

Dunn Sits Out, Mahura Suits Up

Saturday’s shootout win over Minnesota came with a cost. Kraken coach Dan Bylsma began his pre-game press conference Sunday in Dallas by informing that top-pair defenseman Vince Dunn is “day-to-day, upper body.” Reserve defenseman Josh Mahura stepped into the lineup, pairing with Will Borgen while young D-man Ryker Evans moved alongside Seattle stalwart Adam Larsson. When Dunn was out with a neck injury late season last spring, Evans and Larsson were a tandem over several games.

Mid-game, Bylsma reunited the Will Borgen-Ryker Evans pairing. Overall, Kraken coach Dan Bylsma thought the defensive corps was solid, especially in the absence of an elite defenseman like Dunn.

“I thought the ‘D’ played pretty well as a group,” said Bylsma. “We’ve moved Ryker back with Will for the second half of the game. They’ve played real well together the first couple games … it’s adjustments you’re making in the game given the score, given the time [remaining]. We want offensive guys out there at the end of the game to try to get us that goal. Monty [Brandon Montour] is s playing a lot in that regard. Ryker’s playing a lot in that regard.”

Going (Differently) Forward in Third Period

Bylsma mixed up his forward lines in the third period, looking for an offensive spark. He broke up the line of Chandler Stephenson centering Jaden Schwartz and Andre Burakovsky “because the line was just generating enough” with hopes those players could create scoring chances with other linemates. Overall, Bylsma credited his squad with playing “hard-fought game” against “a fast team that plays north.”

Kraken Defenseman Vow Team Can Do Better

No doubt like all of his teammates, D-man Brandon Montour was unhappy about the outcome and said he knows the Kraken can play better and get wins.

“Although it’s a back-to-back [games] and you might be tired, it is Game 3,” said Montour. “There should be no excuse, especially going against a team like Dallas, a top-end team in the West, especially for us as a team that’s looking to kind of get over the hump and get a good run in the playoffs. That’s one you should just kind of be up for.

“The game got away from us with simple, simple plays that could have been avoided. It’s little things. I think our team needs to learn, there are a little plays, whether it’s when you’re going back into the D-zone or we got a fast team, we’ve got to move our feet and create [offense] that way … it’s easy stuff that we can fix.”

“ We didn’t really generate much into third period,” said Adam Larsson. “That’s where we have to make a push, a strong push, to win the game. We have to be better … we have something really good going, we have an energized group, even today. We just have to keep working.”

First-Period Pressure from the Stars

By the midpoint of the opening 20 minutes, Dallas held a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal and it upped to 9-3 with five minutes left in the frame. Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer faced two high-danger shots in those 15 minutes, holding steady under what felt like constant pressure or presence or both in the Kraken zone. But a third Stars high-danger chance beat Grubauer and the defensive pair of Josh Mahura and Will Borgen when original Kraken Colin Blackwell zipped a pass from near-left corner to fellow fourth-liner Steel for a far-post (aka back-door) score.

Thirteen seconds later, Dallas doubled the lead when 21-ydear-old forward Wyatt Johnston, who led the Stars in goals last year with 32, fired a hard shot from the exact dot where the puck is dropped for faceoffs in the right circle. Grubauer, who appeared to overplay the near angle, couldn’t get to Johnston’s delivery far upper corner. The period ended 2-0, though Grubauer did make a Grade-A stop late period to keep the game within reach.

Second-Period Standoff

While Dallas goalie Casey DeSmith didn’t get much action in the first period, the Stars newcomer (he signed as a free agent after backing up in goal for Vancouver last year) was arguably the home team’s best player in the middle period. Steadily during the second stanza, the Kraken and drew close to even in total shots on goal in the first 40 minutes (Seattle outshot the Stars, 12 to 9, with Grubauer turning away three more high-danger chances and DeSmith handling two Grade-A shots on goal).

Among individual players, Kraken fourth-liner Brandon Tanev was credited with three shots on goal during the first two frames with linemate Tye Kartye notching two scorchers. Only three other forwards had shots on goal.

Third-Person Jump-Start Supplied

By the end of 40 minutes, both teams were 0-for-2 on powerplays with just two shots on goal apiece. Veteran Dallas forward Evgenii Dadonov did the Kraken a favor by high-sticking Seattle’s Jaden Schwartz to draw penalty with no time remaining on the second period. But a third Kraken power play finished empty of shots and much pressure.

Philipp Grubauer continued to keep the game within reach with a breakaway save on Dallas captain Tyler Sequin with 13 minutes in the third period. Then he made a second late-game stop on a Mason Marchment breakaway attempt. But Seattle couldn’t generate enough offense from there.

‘I thought Grubi played really well,” said Bylsma. “There were a couple barrages around the net in the first period, and he stayed strong. In the third period, they got the two breakaways. Grubi came up big on and kept us in the game. He gave us a chance.”

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Dallas, TX

A look back at instances where Dallas-area sports were impacted by inclement weather

Published

8 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

A look back at instances where Dallas-area sports were impacted by inclement weather

As the Dallas area braces for the possibility of wintry precipitation, sports fans are shifting their focus to Friday’s Cotton Bowl Classic between Texas and Ohio State.

In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, a Cotton Bowl spokesperson said the game’s organizers are routinely monitoring weather reports and have plans in case inclement conditions bring any changes. If this week’s weather event does lead to a delay or postponement, it wouldn’t be the first time this area has seen its sports impacted by meteorological conditions.

Here’s a look at a few instances where bad weather affected D-FW sports, starting with Super Bowl XLV at AT&T Stadium:

2011 Super Bowl at AT&T

One of the biggest topics of discussion that came from Super Bowl XLV was the weather. A few days before the NFL’s largest event took over AT&T Stadium, snow and ice blanketed the Dallas area and led to a variety of issues.

While the game between the Packers and Steelers went on as planned, a few people suffered injuries after ice and snow fell from the stadium. A halftime show worker notably sued the Cowboys and stadium architects after being injured at the venue, saying he suffered a skull fracture and lasting medical problems. The lawsuit was settled in 2014.

At least six people suffered a range of injuries on the Friday before Super Bowl XLV when warming weather melted layers of ice and snow on the stadium roof.

Temperatures sat at 27 degrees or lower for more than three days in that stretch.

2017 tornado warning keeps Cowboys at AT&T Stadium

Weather events are usually associated with delays or postponements when it comes to the sports world. In this instance, the weather affected fans after a game ended.

Just a few short moments after the Cowboys fell to the Green Bay Packers in a 2017 divisional round playoff game, a tornado warning was issued in Arlington. AT&T Stadium was under a lockdown due to the weather, and several Cowboys employees, fans and players were told not to exit the venue as storms moved through the area.

Then-rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott were among those taking shelter at the stadium, spending some time on the field before they received the all-clear to leave.

2018 First Responders Bowl

This is another scenario where the weather impacting a sporting event wasn’t exactly wintry. In December 2018, Boise State and Boston College were set to face off in the first-ever SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

The game kicked off at the Cotton Bowl and Boston College took a 7-0 lead early. With about five minutes left in the first quarter, the momentum was halted. As thunderstorms rolled through the area, continued lightning strikes near the stadium meant a string of 30-minute delays would take place.

The contest would eventually be canceled and ruled a no-contest.

2021 ice storm postpones Mavs and Stars

A severe Arctic outbreak impacted a large portion of the state in February 2021, leaving more than 1.7 million Texas homes without power. The Dallas Stars and Mavericks saw their schedules affected by this winter storm.

The Stars were scheduled to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 21, but the NHL postponed the matchup due to ongoing power issues in the area. That was the team’s fourth postponement attributed to the storm, with other games that week against the Nashville Predators and Lightning already being pushed back.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks had a game against the Pistons postponed. The game, scheduled for Feb. 17, could not be played because of a “government shutdown of American Airlines Center” due to the ongoing storm.

2023 Pistons, Pelicans have travel issues due to icy weather

In February 2023, icy conditions in the Dallas area put a game between the Mavericks and Pelicans in jeopardy.

Ice and freezing temperatures disrupted travel across the state, meaning the Pelicans were unable to leave Denver after a Tuesday night game with the Nuggets. New Orleans was scheduled to face Dallas on a Thursday night.

While some travel-related headaches occurred, the game went on as scheduled when the Pelicans were cleared to head to Dallas. New Orleans wasn’t the only team experiencing issues. The Detroit Pistons were stuck in Dallas after a game with the Mavericks and saw a game against the Wizards postponed.

Other notable instances

1993 Thanksgiving Day Cowboys game: This game wasn’t delayed or postponed, but it was memorable. A mix of rain and sleet fell in the Dallas area on Nov. 25 1993 when the Cowboys and Dolphins faced off at Texas Stadium.

The stadium’s turf was covered, marking the first time snow fell in Dallas during an NFL game. The matchup featured a wild finish, seeing Miami come away with a 16-14 win.

2010 NBA All-Star festivities: Snow blanketed the area when AT&T Stadium hosted the NBA All-Star Game in February 2010. The event’s public opening was impacted by gloomy conditions, but the weekend was still considered a success.

For more sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News, click here.

To view subscription options for The News and SportsDay, click here.

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Dallas, TX

Ezekiel Elliott has a new home with the Chargers

Published

15 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

Ezekiel Elliott has a new home with the Chargers

The Dallas Cowboys released an iconic player for the second time in three years when they said goodbye to Ezekiel Elliott last week.

It was a bit of a shocking move for Dallas to release Elliott prior to the season finale, but club ownership made it clear that the reason for the timing was to afford Zeke the opportunity to latch on with a playoff contender before the league’s postseason tournament began. That has officially happened.

Ezekiel Elliott is joining the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.

The Ezekiel Elliott return never quite took for the Cowboys at any point and he was slowly phased out over the course of the season as Rico Dowdle took center stage in the run game. Perhaps opportunities will be more present for Elliott with his new team, a club who features a fellow Ohio State Buckeye in the backfield in J.K. Dobbins.

For what it’s worth, if Elliott managed to stick around the Chargers into the 2025 season he would get a second chance to visit AT&T Stadium as a member of the visiting team as they are one of the squads Dallas will host in 2025. You can see all of next season’s Cowboys opponents right here.

Best of luck to Ezekiel Elliott with the Chargers. Incidentally his first action with them will be back in the state of Texas as LA visits the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.

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Dallas, TX

$1 million scratch off ticket sold in Dallas

Published

23 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

million scratch off ticket sold in Dallas

Another North Texan has won $1 million in a Texas Lottery scratch-off game.

The Texas Lottery said Monday that a Dallas resident claimed the third of six million-dollar prizes in the $1,000,000 Crossword scratch-off game.

The ticket was purchased at Buckner Shell, located at 2438 S. Buckner Boulevard, in Dallas.

The winner, who asked to remain anonymous, now falls into the highest federal tax bracket of 37%. After paying $370,000 in federal taxes, they’ll take home $630,000. Texas does not have a state tax on lottery winnings.

The previous two winners in this game came from tickets bought in Wylie on Aug. 19, 2024, and in El Paso on July 15, 2024.

The biggest scratch-off game offered by the Texas Lottery is the $20 Million Supreme, with four grand prizes of $20 million each. Three of those tickets have been claimed, including one in February 2023 in Fort Worth. The other two winners are from Boerne and La Feria. One grand prize ticket remains unclaimed.

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