Dave Strader gets loud ovation in return to Stars

Dave Strader was in the building Saturday and the Dallas Stars and their fans let him know exactly how they felt about that.

The veteran broadcaster returned to the booth on Saturday after 283 days away while battling cancer. He was given a hero's welcome.

Strader was shown on the scoreboard about midway through the first period and was given a raucous standing ovation by everyone in the arena. And we do mean everyone. Stars defenseman Esa Lindell was in the penalty box when Strader was announced. He quickly got to his feet and started tapping his stick in salute, joining both teams, fans and even the mascots.
"That was very special. I think everyone had a smile on their face this morning. Really lifted our spirits and hopefully we lifted his," said Stars forward Tyler Seguin.

"It was awesome. Dave was around here this morning at morning skate, just brings a smile to all of our faces just to see him and what he's gone through. He's battled hard, he's a strong man, him and his wife. We're still supporting them. It was nice to get him back where he belongs there," Jamie Benn said.

"I felt like just seeing him here with his wife and showing up with a big smile on their face. With everything they've been through, and it's really hard for them. Seeing that kind of positivity for us, that's really huge for us. And this win is really for him. He's going to be here for four more games so we're going to try and keep it going," said Antoine Roussel, who netted his first career hat trick in the game.
When the game ended on Benn's winner in OT, the captain led the team over to the booth-side of the ice and led a sticks-up salute to Strader.