Just minutes into Game 3 of the NHL's Western Conference Final, it seems safe to say that the Stars are not aligning for the home team in Dallas.
Already down 2-0 in the series and 1-0 in the game, Stars captain Jamie Benn dug his team an even deeper hole after a cross-check to the head of Golden Knights forward Mark Stone. After review, Benn was handed a five-minute penalty and ejected from the game at the 18:07 mark of the first period.
Jamie Benn was given a 5 minute major on this play pic.twitter.com/NZESKh2JtL
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2023
The penalty proved costly for Dallas, as the Stars quickly surrendered two more goals on the ensuing power play. That resulted in head coach Pete DeBoer pulling starting goaltender Jake Oettinger after seeing just seven shots.
MORE: What is the Stars' goal song?
Scott Wedgewood would come on in relief of Oettinger, but the Stars were already down 3-0 — and facing a 3-0 series deficit.
Here's what you need to know about why Benn was sent off in Game 3.
Why was Jamie Benn ejected vs. Golden Knights?
Benn was ejected for a forceful cross-check to the head and neck area of Stone. ESPN's NHL rules analyst and former NHL referee Dave Jackson said on the broadcast that the contact warranted the hefty penalty, especially with Stone off balance on the play.
Jamie Benn was assessed a 5-minute major penalty for cross-checking Mark Stone. pic.twitter.com/LBHHgVsq5T
— ESPN (@espn) May 24, 2023
Replay showed that Stone was falling to the ice and Benn seemingly trying to punish him with a big hit in an attempt to send a message. Vegas was already up 1-0 and took the life out of the Dallas crowd.
The ejection left the Stars without their captain and a key component of their power play. It also left them with only 11 dressed forwards the rest of the way.
MORE: When was the last time the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup?
Some were quick to point out that this isn't the first incident like this from Benn — who hurt Red Wings' center Dylan Larkin with a similar cross-check during the 2021 season.
This isn’t new behavior from Jamie Benn.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) May 24, 2023
Here’s the cross check to the neck from Benn in 2021 that ended Dylan Larkin’s season:
pic.twitter.com/XqKlTLdnEB
Benn declined to speak to the media after the game, so it isn't exactly clear what he was thinking during the play.
It appeared he was trying to change the momentum of the series. Instead, he might've dealt an excruciating blow to the Stars' chances of getting back into it.
