Defining Play: Bernier makes timely save, Bishop doesn’t in Stars loss to Avalanche

A 25-second stretch defined the third period in the Dallas Stars 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

When the Stars needed a big goal they couldn’t finish, and when they needed a save their goalie didn’t deliver.

At 6:08 of the period the Stars reliable third line of Antoine Roussel, Radek Faksa, and Tyler Pitlick had a point blank chance in the slot. Roussel had the initial shot, but was turned away by the toe of Jonathan Bernier, and the rebound kicked past Pitlick.

It was simple, yet timely save the Avalanche needed to extend a six-game win streak.

Twenty-five seconds later Colorado scored a goal that Stars goalie Ben Bishop needed to stop, a shot to the five hole without much traffic, that turned into the game-winning tally.

There really isn’t much of a video breakdown here. While it is a world-class shooter in Nathan MacKinnon and he did shoot the puck through Esa Lindell, it’s a save that Bishop needs to make in a 1-1 game, especially against a Central Division opponent.

“I don’t think he was trying to go five-hole,” Bishop said. “I think he kind of fanned on it five-hole and sometimes that happens.”

To his credit, Bishop shouldered the blame after the game. Stars coach Ken Hitchcock also pointed out how the Stars needed more than one goal, which is also true.

But in a moment when it was still a tie game and the Stars actually had the better chance first, Dallas had the second-best goalie in the third period.