Oettinger experiences 'favorite hockey moment' of his career

For a couple of Stars players on Friday, the "State of Hockey" had a whole new meaning.
Goalie Jake Oettinger grew up a Minnesota Wild fan and had a huge gathering of friends and family at the Xcel Energy Center as the Stars took a 4-1 win and clinched a First Round playoff victory in Game 6.
"It's pretty cool, probably one of my favorite hockey moments of my career," Oettinger said.

Ryan Suter, meanwhile, played nine seasons for the Wild and was booed most times he touched the puck at games played in St. Paul. He had a steady hand in helping guide the Stars defense and played a role in shutting down Minnesota's best players. When it came time to put up the ceremonial puck, that indicates the fourth win of the playoffs, Suter's teammates selected him for the honor.
"When you spend time somewhere, you grow close to the community. Tons of friend here," Suter said of the balance of good memories and bad. "It was important, and I think the guys knew how important it was for both of us, and everyone really stepped up and competed hard for us."
Suter helped set up an outdoor practice during the regular season when the team was in Minnesota. His kids were a big part of the youth hockey scene during his time with the Wild. He had signed a 13-year contract with the Wild in 2012, but was bought out of the final four years in 2021 and counts $6.3 million against the salary cap for Minnesota this season. Suter and team have experienced animosity from Wild fans the entire series as a result.
Nevertheless, the 38-year-old pushed through all the noise of the series and played great. He was second in time on ice in the series at 22:54 and seventh on the team in SAT ay 55.1 percent.
"Sutes has been playing at an elite level really the last 10 games of the season and then in the playoffs," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "He had a good season, but he's one of those veteran guys I talked about who has everything on his resume but a Stanley Cup. I think he knows where he's at in his career, he knows there are limited opportunities. I think him and Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, there are a lot of guys there who recognize the situation."
Suter has been through it all with 1,362 regular season games. However, like Pavelski, who also is 38, he said he feels good about his game at this age.
"I think it's a mindset," Suter said. "You're only old if you think you're old. I feel good. It helps to be playing with all of these good players, but I think it's a mindset and I just want to keep getting better."
He's playing beside Miro Heiskanen, which obviously helps Suter's numbers, but he also has earned that spot in the lineup. The coaches obviously want to win and they're going to put together a lineup they think will best accomplish that. Because Suter is playing next to Heiskanen, he's also against the opposition's best players most of the games. Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov didn't score a point in the final five games of the series.
It was a performance that quieted Suter's critics in more ways than one, and it was a nice feeling that he shared with Oettinger.
"I'm really happy for Jake. Nothing better than winning in your hometown and we all recognize that," DeBoer said. "And I'm really happy for Ryan Suter too."
The Stars as a team are a close group. They sense when someone needs help. They know how to push each other. They show one another immense respect and celebrate every individual and collective achievement, especially if it took guts or poise . . . or both.
"He loves the moments," Tyler Seguin said when asked about the mental challenges for Oettinger. "He loves the spotlight. I mean if anyone had extra pressure, you're in your hometown, you got your family here and maybe you're going to be a little shaky, but there's nothing there. We love having him."
Oettinger admits this series was special. He grew up in the Twin Cities, not far from the arena. He played in the state hockey tournament at Xcel Energy Center. He was a huge fan of goalie Marc-André Fleury, who now plays for the Wild.
There was a rowdy cheering section for Oettinger in the stands and his brother and grandma became local celebrities because of television interviews.
"When we got lined up with the Wild, it was `Of course it works out that way,'" Oettinger said. "I just wanted to have fun and play my best and not let outside distractions or all of the extra stuff that went on distract me. Our guys played their hearts out for me, and I'm just so happy for this group right now."
Oettinger ranks third in the playoffs in goals against average at 2.01 so far and is also third in save percentage at .929.
Oettinger was able to chat briefly with Fleury in the post-series handshake line, a surreal moment for the young goalie.
"He just said I'm turning into a great goalie, and I have a bright future," Oettinger said. "And he just wished me luck in the rest of my career. He's one of the best goalies to ever do it, so it's pretty cool."
It was a great moment, but now both players will have to move forward. They don't have the same connections to Colorado or Seattle, so they will have to find different motivation.
"I think I learned just how hard it is to win the Cup," Oettinger said. "You've got to go and do that three more times now. It takes everything. It takes every ounce of what you've got."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika