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NOTES: Antoine Roussel celebrates first career hat trick, Stars win for Dave Strader

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DALLAS — Antoine Roussel didn’t know he got to keep the hats, but he did know how he’d celebrate if he ever scored a hat trick.

After scoring his third goal in the Stars 4-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning the French forward gave a fist-pump and mocked throwing a hat onto the ice.

“I had thought about it for a long time so that was the perfect timing for it I guess,” Roussel said.

A high-energy player and a spark plug, Roussel’s hat trick was a moment that his teammates enjoyed even more than him.

“It was awesome,” Jamie Benn said. “It’s fun to watch. All that hard work pays off. He bought lunch today, so I think he’s going to have to that again.”

“He was in the right place, right time,” Tyler Seguin said. “Always works hard. Always goes to the net hard got rewarded for it tonight.”

Roussel said it was his first hat trick since minor hockey.

“It was awesome, felt pretty good. Like I said before it was teamwork. [Tyler Seguin] shoots really hard and that was our main focus before the game,” Roussel said. “I told him we have to work hard and everything will come to us and that’s basically what happened. I’m glad it worked out like that so we can keep going. That was a good win for the crew and for everybody going on the break with a win and just have the positivity coming back and look forward to making the big push toward the playoffs.”

Postgame video

Strader strong

After the game the Stars saluted Dave Strader, who returned to the booth and called his first game while fighting cancer.

During the first period the fans gave Strader a standing ovation, and after the game the broadcaster said it was an emotional experience.

After the game the players commented on his presence.

“That was very special. I think everyone had a smile on their face this morning. Really lifted our spirits and hopefully we lifted his,” Tyler Seguin said.

“I felt like just seeing him here with his wife and showing up with a big smile on their face. With everything they’ve been through, and it’s really hard for them. Seeing that kind of positivity for us, that’s really huge for us. And this win is really for him. He’s going to be here for four more games so we’re going to try and keep it going,” Roussel said.

“I was awesome Dave was around here this morning at morning skate, just brings a smile to all of our faces just to see him and what he’s gone through. He’s battled hard, he’s a strong man, him and his wife. We’re still supporting them. It was nice to get him back where he belongs there,” Jamie Benn said.

The goals

First period

3:07 Victor Hedman scored on a rebound after an initial shot by Brian Boyle. Lightning 1, Stars 0

11:59 Tyler Johnson easily scored on the power play as the Stars showed no interest in playing defense. Lightning 2, Stars 0

12:50 Antoine Roussel scored on a re-direct in front of the net after a saucer pass from Dan Hamhuis in the corner. Lightning 2, Stars 1

18:50 Roussel scored his second goal of the period going hard to the net and finishing off a pass from Tyler Seguin. Stars 2, Lightning 2

Second period

9:46 Hedman scored his second goal of the night. This time on the power play. Lightning 3, Stars 2

Third period

4:40 Roussel completed the hat trick and celebrated appropriately. Stars 3, Lightning 3

Overtime

3:47 Jamie Benn scored on a wrist shot on the Stars only shot of overtime. Stars 4, Lightning 3

Stars lineup:

Benn-Eakin-Eaves
Roussel-Seguin-Sharp
Shore-Faksa-Spezza
Korpikoski-Cracknell-Ritchie

Lindell-Klingberg
Hamhuis-Benn
Nemeth-Oleksiak

Lehtonen

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