The Dallas Stars lost 4-1 to Winnipeg Saturday, and Jets fans took aim at Stars goalie Jake Oettinger with a spicy chant. And the Stars/Jets Central Division rivalry just got hotter.
The Dallas Stars were beaten for the third time in their past four games Saturday against Winnipeg, and Jets fans took particular delight in taunting Stars goalie Jake Oettinger with a chant he won't soon forget. Oettinger was pulled after allowing four Jets goals on 15 shots, and Winnipeg fans let him have it with a biting collective remark.
In the second frame -- and with the Jets up 4-0 in a game that would finish with Winnipeg beating Dallas by a 4-1 score -- Jets fans chanted "U.S. Backup" at Oettinger. The reference was clearly in regard to Oettinger's place on the American team at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off in February. TSN's Bar Down website captured the moment below:
With the Stars going through their current funk, Oettinger and his Dallas teammates should be focusing on correcting their current competitve course. But hockey players have long memories, and we can see Oettinger storing this moment in his memory bank as motivation to perform better against the Jets the next time they play.
Speaking of which -- the Stars' next game against Winnipeg comes Dec. 1 in Dallas, and after that, the two Central Division rivals square off twice -- first, on March 14 in Winnipeg, then April 10 in Dallas.
The Jets drew first blood against the Stars on Saturday, but this rivalry is already hot. And look for Oettinger to bring his 'A' game during their next showdown.
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