Alexander Radulov scored the game-winning goal as the Dallas Stars rebounded from a two-goal deficit to win the 2020 NHL Winter Classic in front of an appreciative sellout home crowd of 85,630.
Played outdoors at a jam-packed Cotton Bowl Stadium, the Stars, led by Radulov’s third period power-play tally, beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 in the 12th NHL Winter Classic in a uniquely Texas event.
"It's all because of them." - Alexander Radulov on the @DallasStars fans at the Cotton Bowl!#NHLTonight | #WinterClassic | @JamieHersch pic.twitter.com/CnyxzZmcEf
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) January 1, 2020
Matt Duchene, named the game's third star, netted his ninth goal of the campaign with a power-play marker in the first period to give Nashville a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Duchene assisted Dante Fabbro on the man-advantage, to put the Predators in front 2-0.
The Preds were well-represented with roughly 20,000 fans in attendance, and one fan in particular was likely cheering the loudest for the opposing team.
With the help of the Bridgestone, Duchene brought fan and old pal Lochlin Morris and his family out to the gameas able to catch up the day before the game.
Dallas got on the scoresheet late in the second period courtesy of veteran forward Blake Comeau, who eared the game's first star and scored his fifth goal of the season with just over a minute remaining in the frame. The Stars proceeded to outshoot the Predators 24-22 heading into the third period.
All that Meadow Lake pond hockey paying off on the big stage. Blake Comeau cuts the lead in half – @DallasStars trail 2-1 after 40 minutes! #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/pbDr08CJYq
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) January 1, 2020
Mattias Janmark knotted the game at 2-2 just 58 seconds in the third, with Radulov giving Dallas its first lead just over four minutes later. Andrej Sekera doubled the advantage soon after with his first goal of the season as the Stars piled on the pressure before warding off a late surge from the Predators.
Dallas eventually outshot Nashville 35-33 before skating away with the team's first win of 2020.
Slidin’ into 2020 like... #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/NEAKokSpZi
— NHL (@NHL) January 1, 2020
A little Winter Classic history
The Stars and Predators became the 24th and 25th teams to participate in an NHL Winter Classic, NHL Stadium Series or NHL Heritage Classic outdoor game. Only six teams have never participated in an outdoor game: Arizona, Carolina, Columbus, Florida, Tampa Bay and Vegas.
Dallas became the ninth team to play host to the game, joining Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Washington. Boston, Buffalo and Chicago are the only two-time hosts.
Cotton Bowl Stadium is the sixth football venue to host the game and third college football venue to have an NHL Winter Classic, joining Michigan Stadium and Notre Dame Stadium. The Blackhawks lead all NHL clubs with four appearances in the NHL Winter Classic (2009, 2015, 2017, and 2019).
The stadium is just the third venue in the state of Texas to host a regular-season NHL contest along with American Airlines Center and Reunion Arena.
In 2008, the first NHL Winter Classic was played at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh got by Buffalo 2-1 in a shootout.