Dallas Stars

‘Absolutely classless hit,’ Dallas Stars fans lash out after brutal hit on Joe Pavelski

By Lawrence Dow

April 18, 2023 10:45 AM

Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) is helped off the ice by a Stars trainer and defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) after Pavelski is hit by Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (not pictured) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron USA TODAY NETWORK

Dallas Stars fans were incensed after a brutal hit from Matt Dumba knocked Stars center Joe Pavelski out of the game in the second period of the Stars’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wilds in the NHL playoffs.

Pavelski had to be helped off the ice after the hit and while the Stars said he was doing OK after the game his status is still unclear for game two on Wednesday.

Stars fans and media were vocal on social media about how they felt about the hit.

ABSOLUTELY CLASSLESS HIT FROM MATT DUMBA!!!

HE NEEDS TO BE KICKED OUT OF THE LEAGUE FOR THIS HIT ON JOE PAVELSKI. SHOULDER TO JAW AND HEAD. CONCUSSED.

GET THIS OUT OF THE NHL. THIS IS TRASH. DALLAS STARS SHOULD RIOT. MINNESOTA WILD ARE THE TRASH OF THE NHL PLAYOFFS! #GoStarsGo pic.twitter.com/sZYAKY0r7F
— JOE PAVELSKI WAS CHEAP SHOTTED marky mark (@markkberger) April 18, 2023

Bryan Marchment is a 4-letter word for #Stars fans w/long memories, but in this situation he would know exactly what to do.
His son is on the Stars. So is Tie Domi's kid.
Matt Dumba must feel consequences to his hit on Joe Pavelski.#Stars #Wild https://t.co/VyTWMvb1Cs
— Mac Engel (@MacEngelProf) April 18, 2023

What a clean hit you guys! The NHL cares about player safety so much! pic.twitter.com/IIylp9sYQz
— x - Did the Dallas Stars win? 0-1 (@DallasStarsWin) April 18, 2023

Anyone defending the Matt Dumba hit from last night kindly unfollow me. You can argue the contact point or tardiness of it. I’m fine with that. No reason for him to leave his feet to “finish a check”. Joe Pavelski is only 5’11. A hip check would have sufficed.
— Brandon Velaski (@bvelaski) April 18, 2023

Woke up, saw the Matt Dumba hit on Joe Pavelski, got mad, hope the Stars stomp to a Stanley Cup now.
— Justin Karp (@jskarp) April 18, 2023

No problem with hits.

The purpose of a hit is to separate the player from the puck. That's why you can only hit the puck carrier.

The puck was long gone. Hit was late and predatory, like I said.
— John Breen (@breenj22) April 18, 2023

not a dallas stars fan or minnesota wild fan but cmon that was a dirty hit from dumba
— Makenna (@itssmakennaa) April 18, 2023

That's targeting the head as the principle point of contact by Matt Dumba on Joe Pavelski. Clear blindside hit.

Dumba should be done for the game and probably suspended. Pavelski needs help off the ice.
— Brien Rea (@BrienRea) April 18, 2023

If the rulebook does not deem what Matt Dumba just did to Joe Pavelski a penalty then we need to rewrite the rulebook.
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) April 18, 2023

Lawrence Dow

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.

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