Heika's Take: Wedgewood endears himself to teammates, fans with epic game

Scott Wedgewood won Thursday's game three times for the Stars.
He won it in regulation, he won it in overtime and he won it in the shootout.
In stopping 44 shots and then all three skaters in the shootout, Wedgewood stole two points for the Stars in a 4-3 shootout victory at Carolina. He set a franchise record for saves by a goaltender in his team debut with his 44 saves, including 18 in the first period and another four in overtime, to not only gain the Stars an important victory, but create an incredible feeling of trust with his new teammates.

"He stole that game for us tonight, no question," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "The chances we gave up in overtime, he was outstanding. He was the reason we won the game."
Wedgewood's performance was impressive for a lot of reasons. One, he stepped up against an NHL power - on the road - on national television. Two, he earned the Stars two huge points as they battle to stay in the Western Conference playoff race (Dallas moves to 36-24-3, good for 75 points). And three, Wedgewood made an incredible impression on his teammates, who are trying to forge a path to the post-season.
"Just find a way to win," Wedgewood said. "What this team is trying to do, I'm all in with them."
It's been an interesting transition for Wedgewood. He has played with Arizona and New Jersey this season. He took a trip to the minors, and he was on waivers. He's landed in the middle of a playoff race with the Stars, and he said he couldn't be happier. So, when he was given a start in just his second game with his new team, he said he was both nervous and excited.
The fact the Hurricanes tossed 18 shots on goal in the first period helped maybe melt away some of the nerves, and then the game was off to the races. Dallas scored first, but then Carolina quickly tied it. The Hurricanes then took a lead early in the third period, but the Stars quickly responded. The Hurricanes then went up with about 10 minutes left in the third period, but once again the Stars quickly tied the score.
Roope Hintz scored both goals, as the top line made two fantastic plays at key points.
It was a great lesson for Wedgewood on just how resilient his new team can be. The Hurricanes were dominant and controlled pretty much every aspect of the game for the majority of ice time - earning a 47-15 advantage in shots on goal, an 81-30 chasm in shot attempts and a 36-24 edge in faceoffs. Bowness said it was one of the most lopsided games the team's played all season, and somehow Wedgewood got the victory.
"We were badly outplayed tonight, and the only reason we won, well, there were two reasons we won," Bowness said. "Obviously Wedgewood was the biggest difference in the game, but I also like our resiliency when they scored. Roope's line came up huge when we needed it."
Hintz has shown incredible flash in the past two games, and that's an attribute that can be every bit as impressive as goaltending. The goals were earned against a great goalie in Frederik Andersen and one of the best defensive teams in the league, so that made the win a little more of a team thing.
Still, Wedgewood stopped two huge scoring chances in overtime and then all three shootout chances. Tyler Seguin scored in the shootout for Dallas, and that was the difference in the game.
"Good teams find a way to win," said Bowness. "We found a way to get two points. Even if it takes a shootout, we'll take it and run."
The coach said the team will flush the overall performance and get ready for a Saturday home game against Vancouver. The march continues, so there's not much time to reminisce - even if it's for maybe the greatest debut a player has ever made in a Stars uniform. That said, it certainly is going to make the highlight film for the season - and for Wedgewood's career.
"I've done a good job of getting rid of the mental demons in my mind over the last couple of years, working with some mental strengthening coaches and things like that," Wedgewood said. "I'm happy with myself. I'm happy with where I am as a human, my homelife, my family. It's been a long road to stabilize myself in this league. I'm just trying to find a home, and every chance I get to get in the net, I'm just thinking about 10-year-old me, where just one game in the NHL would be a dream, and now I'm pushing 70-something. So I just try to take it all in stride and make the most of it."
Thursday was a great step.
Don't miss the Stars as they return home to host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday at 6 p.m. Get your tickets now!
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.