DALLAS _ The hope, the optimism, the Stanley Cup dreams, the unblemished and unchecked and unbridled ambition that arrive with the dawn of a new hockey season allow teams like the Stars to think about banners and buildings like the American Airlines Center to swell with visions of grandeur.
The first game of the season is a time where reality is suspended, a game lost is minimized and a game won means an undefeated record. The first meaningful hockey game in four months feels like a fantasy. Then the Bruins delivered a reality check and injuries sullied the night in a 2-1 Stars loss on Thursday night.
Boston (1-0-0) scored on its first shot of the season, an effort from former Stars forward Brett Ritchie that gave the Bruins the lead just 69 seconds into the season. Boston scored on its second shot of the season, on the power play from Danton Heinen in the left circle. The Stars' impenetrable goaltender Ben Bishop had allowed goals on the first two shots he'd faced.
"Yeah, it was a tough start for me," Bishop said. "Two that I'd like to have."
Then the injuries came.
Forward Blake Comeau was hit in the face by a puck with 2:27 left in the first period, one that deflected off teammate Andrej Sekera's stick. Comeau fell to the ice with his legs under him and was bleeding from his face. He had to be helped off the ice and was ultimately diagnosed with a lower-body injury that will keep him out for multiple weeks, coach Jim Montgomery said.
Forward Jason Dickinson didn't play the final two periods because of an upper-body injury suffered while being cross-checked, and Montgomery said he'd be out for at least a week. The scariest came when Roman Polak got hurt with 12:56 left in the second period.
Going into the corner in his own zone, Polak went into the boards awkwardly fighting Chris Wagner for a loose puck. Polak's right shoulder hit the boards first, immediately followed by his head. He didn't move while he laid on the ice before he was taken off via stretcher and transported to the hospital.
After the game, Montgomery said Polak had use of all his extremities and could be the closest to returning of the trio injured Thursday night.
"I hear he's feeling pretty good at the hospital but we don't have results yet," Montgomery said. "We're hopeful that he may be a player again in a couple of days."
Roope Hintz's goal brought the Stars (0-1-0) within one goal and Dallas outshot the Bruins 25-14 in the final two periods to push late, but the effort wasn't enough.
The three weeks of training camp could not have prepared the team for the events of Thursday night. The best-laid plans of a hockey season sailed away on Thursday night, but that does little to diminish the Stars' aspirations.
