DENVER — Arttu Hyry scored his first goal of the season Wednesday night, and it came with the Dallas Stars killing a penalty. Hyry picked off a play from Cale Makar at the Dallas blue line 1:20 into the third period, outskated him to the net, and beat Scott Wedgewood with a forehand-to-backhand move past the glove.
The goal gave Dallas a 2-1 lead over the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Brock Nelson tied it at 8:21 of the third, and Dallas won 3-2 when Roope Hintz scored in the fourth round of the shootout.
Dallas had not scored short-handed through its first six games. Colorado had allowed two short-handed goals before Wednesday.
Arttu Hyry’s Short-Handed Breakaway Against Cale Makar
Hyry went into Wednesday without a goal on six shots over six games. He met reporters after the game in an availability reported by NHL.com’s Ryan Boulding.
“My dad used to always tell me to do that move, so I guess it was maybe just instinct,” Hyry said. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of chances recently and just haven’t been able to score them. So felt nice to finally be able to put one in.”
Wedgewood stopped Hyry earlier in the game on a shot from the right slot off the rush at 8:29 of the first period. In overtime, Hyry sent a bouncing puck off the post with a chance to end it.
“He deserved that, obviously,” Hintz said. “He’s had so many good looks now. Just haven’t been going in. So yeah, he deserved that tonight.”
Hyry played 14:40 on Wednesday. He finished with two shots on goal, two hits, and two takeaways, and he won 4 of 10 faceoffs.
Dallas had gone 35:03 without a goal before Miro Heiskanen tied it 1-1 late in the second period off a feed from Mikko Rantanen.
“Miro’s shot was great, and also ‘Rants’ in the corner, working their ‘D,’” Hyry explained.
“That’s kind of just a little push we needed, like just to show us that maybe, hold on to the pucks and not just play to the blue line and rim it,” Hyry continued. “Try to cycle it. Just hold on to them and plays will open.”
Hyry’s Role On The Dallas Stars Penalty Kill
Through seven games, Hyry averages 2:20 of short-handed ice time per game. Among Dallas forwards, only Radek Faksa and Oskar Back average more.
Back left Wednesday’s game in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan did not provide an update after the game.
Hyry has won 43 of 66 faceoffs this season, a 65.2% rate. He is averaging 14:07 of ice time.
Last season, the 25-year-old from Oulu, Finland, had three goals and two assists in 20 games during his first NHL season. One of those goals was short-handed. He also appeared in four playoff games against Minnesota without a point.
Dallas visits the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, with puck drop set for 6 p.m. CT.
