Joe Pavelski

Portage County Gazette

By John Kemmeter

Plover native Joe Pavelski made his debut with the Dallas Stars Thursday, Oct. 3, as the team played in its NHL regular-season opener at home against the Boston Bruins.

After spending his first 13 seasons in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, Pavelski signed a three-year, $21 million contract to join the Stars as a free agent in the off-season, and finished with one assist in his first game with Dallas.

Boston scored 1:09 into the game to take a 1-0 lead, and then had a power-play goal at the 5:59 mark of the first period to go up 2-0.

Pavelski assisted on a goal from Roope Hintz 7:55 into the second period to pull the Stars within 2-1, but Boston held on to win 2-1.

Pavelski and the Stars will return to action when they travel to play the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues at 7 p.m. Central Saturday, Oct. 5.