Stars fall to Flames via shootout in game marred by controversial Mikko Rantanen check

CALGARY, Alberta — Nazem Kadri scored the deciding goal in the fourth round of a shootout, Devin Cooley made 28 saves and the Calgary Flames beat the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Saturday night to escape the NHL cellar.

Matt Coronato and Joel Farabee staked Calgary to a 2-0 lead. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz scored third-period goals for Dallas, with Robertson extending his goals streak to six games. He has 13 goals.

Casey DeSmith had 31 saves as the Stars fell to 13-5-4.

In the shootout, Kadri put Calgary in front when he went forehand to backhand on a deke and tucked the puck under the crossbar. Cooley then stopped Hintz.

Sports Roundup

Dallas right wing Mikko Rantanen was ejected in the final minute of the second period when he checked Coronato heavily into the side boards from behind, leaving the Flames forward bleeding heavily from his face.

Dallas Stars' Mikko Rantanen prepares for a face-off during an NHL hockey game against the...

It’s the second boarding major and game misconduct in a span of six periods for Rantanen. He also was tossed in the final minute Tuesday night in a loss to the New York Islanders for a hit on Alexander Romanov. Rantanen leads the NHL with 57 penalty minutes, five more than Washington’s Tom Wilson.

Throwing off his gloves immediately in Coronato’s defense after Rantanen’s hit was Jonathan Huberdeau, whose scrap with Rantanen was his first fighting major since he fought Paul Byron during the 2018-19 preseason.

Up next

Stars: At Edmonton on Tuesday night.

Flames: At Vancouver on Sunday night.

Watch: Mikko Rantanen assessed 5-minute major, game misconduct for another vicious hit

For the second time in three games, Rantanen’s night ended early after a questionable hit against the boards.

How to watch Stars-Flames: TV/streaming info for Dallas’ latest road matchup in Canada