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Stars Edge Wild 2-1 Behind Faksa, Harley Goals

Radek Faksa opened the scoring, but Thomas Harley's second-period tally gave the Dallas Stars a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena.

Marlene Keller

September 26, 20262 min read

NHLFinal
Dallas Stars2
Minnesota Wild1

September 26, 2026

Stars Take Control in Saint Paul

The Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The visitors secured the win with a pair of second-period goals, including a decisive strike from Thomas Harley.

The game drew an attendance of 15,645 fans, with the Stars improving their record to 4-0-0 for eight points, while the Wild fell to 1-2-1 with three points.

Early Exchange of Goals

The Stars struck first in the opening frame. Radek Faksa buried a wrist shot to give Dallas a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Oskar Bäck and Joel Kiviranta.

This marked Faksa's first goal of the season. The Wild responded quickly in the second period, leveling the score at 1-1. Joel Eriksson Ek scored on a wrist shot, finding the back of the net for his first goal of the year.

Blake Coleman and Matt Boldy provided the assists on the play, with Boldy recording his first assist of the season.

Late Shift Decides Game

Just moments after the tie, the Stars reasserted their offensive pressure. Thomas Harley scored the game-winner on a wrist shot, extending Dallas's lead to 2-1. This was Harley's second goal of the season.

Mikko Rantanen, who recorded his second assist of the year, and Jamie Benn, who picked up his first assist, set up the decisive strike. The third period was scoreless, with both teams failing to add to the tally. The final period scores were 1-0 for Dallas and 0-1 for Minnesota in the first two periods, and 0-0 in the third.

Statistical Standouts

Joel Eriksson Ek led the Wild with one goal and one point. Matt Boldy contributed one assist for the home side. For the Stars, Radek Faksa finished with one goal and one point, while Jamie Benn recorded one assist.

Thomas Harley's goal proved to be the difference in a tightly contested affair. The Stars' clean sheet in the third period sealed their fourth straight victory, while the Wild suffered their second loss of the season.

Sources

ESPN

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Marlene Keller

Marlene Keller covers Melissa high school and area college sports.

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