Julius Honka gets first NHL goal as young Stars shine in 3-2 overtime victory

DALLAS — Before the third period started a couple teammates told Julius Honka it looked like he would get his first NHL goal on Tuesday night.

It turned out to be the game winner as Honka blasted home a shot from the slot with 1:15 remaining in a 3-2 overtime victory.

The goal was an effective shot and capped off a dominant shift for the Stars. Jason Spezza had the primary assists, but Gemel Smith helped make the play go as he and Honka played a two-man game that frustrated the Coyotes.

“Well Smitty and the forward did a good job there at the end in the zone,” Honka said. “And I just wanted to make them three guys movement there, I think they was pretty tired it was the end of their shift and I just wanted to shoot that puck and glad it went in.”

Overall it was a strong night for the Stars younger players and Brett Ritchie said it felt like a “half NHL, half AHL lineup” against the Coyotes.

Jason Dickinson also scored in the game, while Justin Dowling and Remi Elie each had strong nights. Overall the past Texas Stars represented well, even if it was against a shorthanded Coyotes team that was missing three of its best players.

Postgame video

The goals

First Period

13:54 Brett Ritchie scored after a horrendous giveaway by Anthony Deangelo. Stars 1, Coyotes 0

17:12 Jason Dickinson scored his second career goal after Adam Cracknell forced a turnover. Stars 2, Coyotes 0

17:24 Christian Dvorak responded 12 seconds later. Stars 2, Coyotes 1

Third period

15:33 Anthony Duclair tied the game on a one-time chance from in front of the net. Stars 2, Coyotes 2

Overtime

3:45 Julius Honka delivered. Stars 3, Coyotes 2

https://twitter.com/PatIversenSBN/status/849462099915014146

Stars lineup

Jamie Benn — Cody Eakin — Devin Shore
Remi Elie — Tyler Seguin — Brett Ritchie
Gemel Smith — Radek Faksa — Jason Spezza
Jason Dickinson — Justin Dowling — Adam Cracknell

Esa Lindell — John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis — Julius Honka
Jamie Oleksiak — Stephen Johns

Antti Niemi
Kari Lehtonen

Scratched: Patrik Nemeth, Greg Pateryn

Injured: Mattias Janmark (knee), Antoine Roussel (hand), Curtis McKenzie (eye), Jiri Hudler (groin), Ales Hemsky (hip).