Stars vs. Golden Knights delay: Angry Dallas fans pelt ice with trash, cut second period short
The hits just keep on coming for the Dallas Stars and their fans.
It was an unceremonious start to the night at American Airlines Center when Jamie Benn was ejected with 18:07 remaining in the first period. Dallas was already down 1-0 — and 2-0 in the series. By the end of the first, they were staring at a 3-0 deficit in the game and likely the series as well.
Late in the second period of Game 3 in the Western Conference Final, the wheels officially came off as the situation completely unraveled in Dallas. Max Domi was assessed multiple penalties for cross-checking and roughing in addition to a game misconduct — the Stars’ second of the game.
MORE: Why Stars captain Jamie Benn received game misconduct for hit to Golden Knights’ Mark Stone
The paying fans in attendance — who had seen the life sucked out of the building not long after the puck dropped on Game 3 — had enough.
Stars fans throwing food and all kinds of trash onto the ice. What a terrible showing at the AAC by all involved. pic.twitter.com/uKFh5GeT45
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) May 24, 2023
The incident came just moments after a fan was hit with a puck, which summarizes the night it has been in Dallas.
Fans are throwing bottles onto the ice#TexasHockey | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/zSADk3qzqc
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 24, 2023
As a result of the chaos unfolding, the NHL ended the second period — sending both teams to the dressing rooms with 21.6 seconds left in the period. Play would later resume with the league playing the final seconds of the middle period before switching ends to begin the final frame.
Considering fans didn’t get their money’s worth with the Stars’ effort on the ice, it’s not entirely surprising to see the crowd react that way — although it will be an ugly look for the league and Dallas fans going forward.
Professional sporting events aren’t cheap and neither are the concessions, but that didn’t stop someone from throwing a bucket of popcorn onto Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill as the team entered the ice for the remaining 20:21 of Tuesday night’s contest.
Adin Hill had popcorn thrown at him while re-entering the ice 😳 pic.twitter.com/ILcgsjaE62
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2023
MORE: What is the Stars’ goal song?
As expected, reaction on social media was coming in fast and furious all game long.
We now go live to the American Airlines Center, where fans of the Dallas Stars are taking the complete blowout of their franchise quite well: pic.twitter.com/tjIOxPyKFw
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) May 24, 2023
Announcer: “STARS FANS, GET READY AND GET LOUD!”
Stars fans: pic.twitter.com/YSSyWRydrj
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 24, 2023
Stars fans are feeling it right now 😳 pic.twitter.com/fgcK0aKyyB
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2023
The Stars need to ban a bunch of these “fans” and publicly release it. Let people know that behavior is unacceptable in Dallas #TexasHockey #VGKvsDAL
— Chris Chambers (@chrischam2b) May 24, 2023
The only competition in the AAC tonight is between some Stars fans and Stars team: who can be the bigger clown?
I’m ashamed to be a fan tonight, and sad to know this will reflect poorly on us for years to come. This is how reputations are built. What a nightmare of a game
— TPark (Cordell) (@tparkerino) May 24, 2023
Stars fans are throwing stuff at the wrong team pic.twitter.com/1AY5eX5xrK
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 24, 2023
MORE: When was the last time the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup?
Many fans had made their way for the exits by the time play was suspended. ESPN cameras showed the Dallas faithful leaving American Airlines Center.
It’s so bad Stars fans are just leaving now. pic.twitter.com/GWaoQUUb7w
— 𝐉𝐢𝐦 𝐉𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧 (@JohnXuandou) May 24, 2023
On the bright side for Stars fans, it looks like their season will be over by Thursday night. In even better news, the Cowboys will open training camp and begin their season in just a few short months.
Published at Wed, 24 May 2023 02:35:40 +0000
