On Monday, Miro Heiskanen scored a power play goal off a pass from Roope Hintz, Jani Hakanpää blasted in a shot from the point, and Joel Kiviranta fired one in from the right circle off a pass from Lindell. It was a Finnish full house in a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Hakanpaa said the post-practice activities of the five Finns has built some special chemistry, so when Lindell found Kiviranta, he wasn't surprised.
"I've seen that play a million times in Frisco when the guys stay out after practice," Hakanpaa said. "I knew when Esa ripped that one across, he's going to bury that one. Those guys are always just goofing around, shooting one-timers. That's good for him. He's been working hard, having a good camp, good start of the year. It's nice to see him get rewarded."
The moment was huge for Kiviranta, who has been using the help of his teammates to fashion a very strong training camp. After struggling last season, the 26-year-old forward had a lot of work ahead of him.
"I was just working hard this summer," Kiviranta said. "My last season wasn't what I was expecting, but somehow, I wasn't thinking about that whole thing at all. I just wanted to enjoy. I knew I could do better than the last year, and I was just like, 'Let's go do it.'"
New head coach Pete DeBoer said he had Kiviranta penciled in as a scratch to start the season, but that the young winger changed the minds of the coaching staff.
"I give him credit," DeBoer said. "When we were writing down depth charts going into training camp, he was probably on the outside looking in. But he earned his way onto the opening night roster, and he's continuing to earn his spot in the lineup every night. That line gave us some good shifts, and his goal was huge. That's what you need. You need depth scoring at critical times."
It says something about the chemistry and attitude of the Finns. Hakanpaa, for example, isn't known as a big goal scorer, but he posted a 98 mph slapshot at the Stars skill competition Sunday, and that gave him confidence to unleash a rocket on Monday. Heiskanen is taking a bigger chunk of the pie this season, and has three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and a plus-5 rating through three games. Hintz is back to his scoring ways with five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in three games, and Lindell is again a leader on defense.
That has helped the Stars post a 3-0-0 record out of the gate and has them looking good for an upcoming four-game road trip.
"We have a good feeling in the room, and I think everyone likes the way we play hockey," Kiviranta said. "Everyone is buying in."
And a few extra minutes after practice with a close group of friends doesn't hurt one bit.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
