Shania Twain performs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, July 1, 2015. Jason Spezza of the Dallas Stars gave the country star credit for a Game 4 win, spurring Twitter interactions between her and the Stars. But with her music blasting in Game 5, the Blues took control of the series.JACOB BLICKENSTAFF/The New York Times
Heavy metal and hip-hop music blasted through American Airlines Center on Saturday during Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-final series between the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars. But if you think country songs by Shania Twain would be too genteel for the playlist of the D.J. known as Grubes, then you do not know these smitten Stars, who gave her some credit for their overtime victory in Game 4.
Still, a question lingered. Could her music keep them winning?
Watching the game with the score tied at 1-1 in the first period, Tom Gaglardi, the Stars' owner, said of Twain: "I'm proud of her. She's a good Canadian and a great artist."
Gaglardi, who is from Vancouver, added of the Stars, "They listen to country music more often than not in the locker room and practice facility."
Even among country stars, though, Twain holds a special place in the Stars' hearts.
Before Game 4 on Thursday, members of the Dallas news media waiting to speak to the team were held at bay by centre Jason Spezza until the end of Twain's song You're Still the One, The Dallas Morning News reported. The team's captain, Jamie Benn, pumped up the volume.
Did the lyrics remind the Stars of the team's only Stanley Cup championship, in 1999? "Looks like we made it/Look how far we've come, my baby/We might've took the long way/We knew we'd get there some day."
When the Stars beat the Blues, 3-2, in overtime of Thursday's game, Spezza suggested Twain had had an influence. Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com wrote on Twitter, "First thing Jason Spezza said to me when I walked in the Stars room: 'Shania.' Grin."
Alerted to her apparent impact on the Stars' tying the series, Twain responded on Twitter. "Heard @dallasstars have amazing taste in pre game music," she wrote. "Must have helped them to the win?! Incredible game guys!"
Benn then responded, writing that "we only listen to the best!"
Defenceman Jason Demers added: "OMG shania knows who we are!!!"
Twain did not show up on Saturday, and maybe she should have. Her music was playing to the full arena. But You're Still the One (used for the kiss cam) and Man! I Feel Like a Woman! did not have a victorious effect. Dallas lost, 4-1.
Afterward, the Stars' locker room was subdued as players quietly explained their losing effort and discussed whether they could win the next two games to move into the conference finals. Twain's music was by then a memory of inspiration past.
But it offered a moment of jest for Blues coach Ken Hitchcock. Asked if he knew about the Twain-Stars musical romance and if he was able to counter it, he instead responded that he was also inspired by Twain.
"So what's the difference?" he said, smiling. "Really inspired. So we're even."
The Blues later posted on Twitter a picture of Twain in a Blues jersey, accompanied by the message "It's not too late, @ShaniaTwain – come on over!"