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Duchene scores winner in 2nd OT, Stars advance to W. Conference final with 2-1 win over Avs

Matt Duchene took off down the ice, slid on his knees and pumped his right glove. That’s what the video will show anyway. Because his big moment was pretty much a big blur. He just knows what it meant: The Dallas Stars are heading back to the Western Conference final. Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first extra period, and the Stars advanced with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 on Friday night.

Quick Read

  • Duchene’s Decisive Goal: After a disallowed goal for goaltender interference in the first overtime, Duchene found the back of the net at 11:42 of the second overtime, securing the win for the Stars.
  • Tense Matchup: The game was tightly contested, with Jamie Benn tying the score early in the third period. The Stars faced a disallowed goal in the first overtime due to a controversial goaltender interference call.
  • Stellar Goalkeeping: Jake Oettinger was outstanding, making 29 saves for Dallas, including crucial stops in overtime.
  • Historic Performance: Cale Makar of the Avalanche recorded an assist, reaching 80 career playoff points in just 72 games, joining elite company in NHL history.
  • Series Pattern: The road team won five of the six games in the series, with Dallas winning all three games in Denver.
  • Advancing to Conference Final: The Stars move on to face either Edmonton or Vancouver in their second consecutive trip to the Western Conference final.
  • End of an Era: The game marked the end of Zach Parise’s career, highlighting his significant contributions and impact on the sport.

The Associated Press has the story:

Duchene scores winner in 2nd OT, Stars advance to W. Conference final with 2-1 win over Avs

Newslooks- DENVER (AP) —

Matt Duchene took off down the ice, slid on his knees and pumped his right glove. That’s what the video will show anyway. Because his big moment was pretty much a big blur. He just knows what it meant: The Dallas Stars are heading back to the Western Conference final.

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, celebrates scoring the winning goal as defensemen Esa Lindell, back left, and Chris Tanev look on in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first extra period, and the Stars advanced with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 on Friday night.

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, left, celebrates after scoring the winning goal with defenseman Chris Tanev in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Duchene, a 2009 draft pick of the Avalanche, secured a loose puck in front of the net and sent it over a sprawled out Alexandar Georgiev to start the celebration. He was too exhausted, too caught up in the moment, to take it all in.

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, right, is congratulated for a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“Just elation,” Duchene said. “I was so tired, I started skating and then I got tired. I don’t even know what I did after that, to be honest with you. I was pretty pumped up.”

In the locker room after the game, the Stars celebrated by blaring an almost fitting tune — “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver.

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, pursues the puck, in front of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dallas advances to face either Edmonton or Vancouver next. It’s the second straight trip to the conference final for the Stars, who lost last season to eventual Stanley Cup champion Vegas. The Stars won their only Stanley Cup title in 1999.

“The dream’s still alive,” Stars forward Joe Pavelski said.

Jamie Benn tied the score at 1:56 of the third period.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a glove save against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Mason Marchment thought he scored the winner with 7:29 left in the first overtime but it was waved off for goaltender interference. The play was reviewed and the call on the ice stood. Duchene was jostling with Cale Makar in front of Georgiev, leading to a call. The NHL’s situation room explained that Duchene impaired Georgiev’s ability to play his position in the crease.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, left, congratulates right wing Mikko Rantanen for a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“The explanation that I got was Dutchie’s (bottom) was over the line. His feet were outside but his (bottom) was over the line,” Marchment explained. “I think honestly, they didn’t want to make it a deciding goal. … At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. We got the job done. It’s awesome.”

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, center, works for position in front of the net against Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, right, as goaltender Jake Oettinger stops a shot during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jake Oettinger was stellar all night in making 29 saves. One of his biggest was a close-range shot from Artturi Lehkonen down low midway through the second OT.

“He was fabulous,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of his goaltender.

Colorado Avalanche center Andrew Cogliano stumbles next to Dallas Stars center Craig Smith during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

This was a series in which the road team won five of six games, including the Stars taking all three in Denver. The Avalanche were the top home team in the regular season, while the Stars had the best road record.

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, left, tries to knock the puck away from Colorado Avalanche right wing Brandon Duhaime during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

It was a difficult end to what was a tumultuous postseason for Colorado, with Valeri Nichushkin suspended before Game 4 for violating terms of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, left, pushes Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, center, against Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“A devastating result,” Makar said of the Game 6 loss. “The year being where we all feel like we have a team that with all of our pieces can make a push for the whole thing.”

Dallas Stars left wings Jamie Benn, left, and Jason Robertson warm up before Game 6 of the team’s NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Colorado scored the opening goal of the game for the first time in the series when Mikko Rantanen sent a wrist shot over Oettinger early in the second period on a power play.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, left, and Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn reach for the puck during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Makar had an assist to give him 80 career playoff points in 72 games played. He’s the fifth defenseman in NHL history to amass 80 career postseason points in 80 or fewer games, joining Bobby Orr (66 games), Paul Coffey (67), Brian Leetch (70) and Al MacInnis (71).

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, third from left, is congratulated after scoring the winning goal by, from left, right wing Evgenii Dadonov and centers Wyatt Johnston and Radek Faksa in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Both teams were missing forwards, with Roope Hintz out for Dallas and Yakov Trenin for Colorado.

“We fought hard,” said Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy finalist who had four goals and 10 assists in the postseason run. “The effort was there the whole season.”

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

It’s the end of hockey for Zach Parise, who’s calling it a career. He was drafted by the New Jersey in 2003 and once played for DeBoer while both were with the Devils. They shared a moment after the game.

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, left, has his shot blocked by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the first overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“I loved playing for him. He’s a world-class coach,” Parise said. “He’s the type of guy, now that we’re out, you cheer for him.”

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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