Tuesday was not a good night for the Dallas Stars.
Already down 2-0 in their Western Conference Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the team allowed Jonathan Marchessault to get free in the left circle and wire home his seventh goal of the playoffs. Less than a minute later, captain Jamie Benn would let his frustration get the better of him, delivering a cross-check to a prone Mark Stone.
Jamie Benn has been given a 5 minute major for his cross check on Mark Stone. pic.twitter.com/Ck1uCnnCgJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2023
The incident would result in a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for Benn, who played just 42 seconds in a must-win game. The Stars went on to lose 4-0. Fans threw throw trash onto the ice, forcing team president Brad Alberts to issue a public apology. And now, all but eliminated, the team will likely be without Benn for at least another game.
Benn will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety Wednesday to determine if supplemental discipline is required.
The Stars captain refused to take questions after the game, and may not get another chance to hit the ice should a suspension come down. Vegas managed just 16 shots on goal Tuesday night but still cruised to an easy victory, inching closer to another Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Benn had a brilliant bounce-back season with 78 points in 82 games (his highest total since 2018) but has struggled to find the back of the net in the playoffs. He has three goals in 16 games while recording 51 penalty minutes.
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