Kevin Flannery
By Jake Ricker
Overview
The Tampa Bay Lightning played a much better game tonight and it paid off, despite a shaky second. As for the Bruins, they did not play their best as they could not stop the Bolts offensive pushes. Things got very physical in this one and both teams took their fair share of penalties. The officiating was also very shaky as they mad poor calls and missed some for both sides. The Bolts have now tied the series after a huge victory in game 2. Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.
First Period
Things got off to a great start for the Bolts as they put on some early pressure. Killorn then sped past the Bruins defense and got a huge scoring chance but was denied by Rask. The Bolts kept up their physical game as well, Ryan Callahan just ran over Adam McQuaid and then things got chippy. After everything was settled down both Paquette and Backes would get 2 for roughing, however, Backes would get an additional 2 to give the Bolts their first PP of the night. Rask did a great job though of holding off the Bolts first power and kept this game scoreless. The Bolts kept up the pressure and would get another huge chance to get the lead. Torey Krug would sit for slashing and give the Bolts their second PP of the night. The Bolts kept on pushing and pushing and did not slow down. As the power play winded down the Bolts gave it one last shot. Yanni Gourde then found a huge rebound that he buried to give the Bolts a 1-0 lead! Johnson would then get called for roughing so the Bruins will get their first PP of the night. McDonagh then rammed Marchand from behind seconds later giving the Bruins a long 5 on 3. The Bolts were not about to let the Bruins take advantage though, as they blocked everything the Bruins threw at them. Vasy also stopped a few shots to keeping the Bolts up by 1 and they would successfully kill off the 5 on 3! The Bruins didn’t let up though and Charlie McAvoy sniped one past Vasy to tie the Game at 1. The Bruins would get a few more chances but time would soon expire. Despite the great play by the Bolts they would head into the locker room tied at 1.
Goals: 1-1
Shots: 10-8 Tampa Bay
Second Period
Things got off to a little bit of a slower start to this period as both teams got their chances. But things stayed physical with big hits going both ways. The Bolts play started to fall a little as the period went on, the top line could not get going and the pace was slower. The Bolts didn’t let things stay like this though as Brayden point flew down the ice. He then threw it to Johnson who put it home to give the Bolts back the 1 goal lead! Unfortunately for the Bolts, Hedman would get called for holding and give the Bruins their third PP of the night. The Bolts PK kept up its great work though as they shut down the Bruins and protected their 1 goal lead. Things went by quickly as both teams stayed very disciplined and we had few stoppages. Both teams would go back and forth picking up a few chances. Hedman was then shaken up on the play after a weird collision but seemed to be ok. The Bolts grabbed a few more chances before time began to run out. As the period came to a close Cirelli and Krug got into a confrontation but would be separated and sent to the locker rooms. It was a much slower period but the Bolts got the goal they wanted and would head into the final 20 min with a 1 goal lead.
Goals: 2-1 Tampa Bay
Shots: 18-13 Tampa Bay
Third Period
Things got off to a much quicker start in this period as Both teams had big scoring chances early. Things then got ugly, Miller came in and made a dangerous hit on Point and the Bolts responded. Despite Lightning players sticking up for their teammates somehow we ended up with both teams getting two minors. Miller and Krug would get 2 for roughing, and Stralman would get 2 for cross-checking while Gourde also got 2 for roughing. Neither team would get any big chances after things settled down though, until about 9 min in. Krug looked to have drilled Hedman with a high stick and was cut on the play. The Bolts would get a 4 min double minor, a huge opportunity to grab an insurance goal. Upon review, Hedman had hit himself with his own stick because Krug stick lifted him, but it was a double minor none the less. The Bruins stayed strong though with Rask coming up big as they killed off the long PP and kept this game within 1. Despite not being able to capitalize on the long PP the Bolts kept pushing and putting the pressure on the Bruins. It was the Bolts second line who cashed in again, Point made a great pass to Palat who snapped it into the back of the net for a 2 goal lead. The Bruins fought right back though as Krug put one pst Vasy to pull back within 1. Just seconds later Marchand got on a breakaway but Vasy and Stralman turned him away. The Bruins would then pull Rask for one last shot. But it would not work out as Brayden Point drove down the ice and put one in the empty net to make it 4-2 Bolts! And Just like that time would expire and THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING WOULD TIE THE SERIES AT 1!!!
Goals: 4-2 Tampa Bay
Shots: 30-20 Tampa Bay
3 Stars
- Brayden Point (1G, 3A)
- Ondrej Palat (1G, 1A)
- Brad Marchand (2A)
Up Next and Final Strike
The Bolts played a much better game tonight, especially in the first and third. Brayden Point was on fire tonight along with the rest of the 2nd line. The Bolts offense overall was much better, the top line did struggle though and could still use some work. The Bolts PK unit played great tonight killing off the 5 on 3 and not letting the Bruins get any momentum. Vasy looked a lot better tonight as well making stops when he needed to. With that said, The Bolts looked better but still have some work to do. I expect The Bolts to come out strong again on Wensday and for that top line to get going.
The Bolts will look to take a 2-1 series lead in Boston, Wednesday, May 2nd at 7:00 PM
Bay Bolts 