Lindgren dazzling in AHL, looking to take next step


By John Tranchina

By now, everyone knows how Dallas Stars rookie Jamie Benn has been tearing up the AHL playoffs for the organization’s top minor league affiliate, the Texas Stars, who are based in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park.

What Stars fans may not realize is that another significant contributor to the farm club’s storybook run to the Calder Cup Finals has been Finnish center Perttu Lindgren.

Lindgren’s six post-season goals trails only Benn’s league-leading 14 on the squad, while his eight assists give him 14 points in 18 games, including a virtuoso performance when it mattered most. Lindgren scored a goal and two assists in the Stars’ 4-2 win in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last Wednesday night on the road at Hamilton, ensuring a trip to the Finals. He capped off the club’s comeback from a 2-0 second period deficit by connecting for the game-winning goal with six minutes remaining in the third period.

“Perttu, that guy has got a great set of hands,” noted Texas wingerRaymond Sawada. “He can dipsy-doodle in a phone booth with five other guys in there. He’s a tremendously-skilled hockey player and when he gets out there on the power play, even 5-on-5, if you give him some room, he’s going to do some special things with that puck.”


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