Game 5 was a kick in the chest for the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Boston Bruins took the game 3-1. This game was all about the Bolts too, because they kept drilling the puck at Boston’s net. The unstoppable Tim Thomas got in their way yet again, preventing them from taking the series lead.
At home for Boston at TD Garden, the first period kicked off with an immediate goal for Tampa Bay. Just over a minute in the Bolts got one on a two against one break away, when Steven Stamkos and Simon Gagne took on the B’s Johnny Boychuck. Gagne landed it in the net. This set the tone for the first period as Tampa Bay kept drilling it in Boston’s side. Tampa even had a brilliant power play opportunity, but they couldn’t the puck past Thomas. On his A-game, the Bruins’ goalie managed to prevent the next 33 shots on net and denying the Bolts any further goals.
Second period saw the Bruins striking back. Nathan Horton put the game tying goal in the net, and Brad Marchland put them in the lead.
Tampa Bay came back with a vengeance in the third period despite the “We want the Cup” chant by Boston fans. Blair Jones nearly tied it up for Tampa, when a beautiful shot ended up hitting the goal post. In the last few minutes of the game when the Bolts had pulled their goalie, Boston finished the game off with a goal on the open net.
Final score was 3-1 for Boston, putting them in the lead of the Eastern Conference Final with 3-2.
Tickets are still available for the next game Wednesday, May 25th, 8 pm EDT at Tampa’s St Pete Times Forum. Tampa’s going to have to fight back harder if they want to prevent Boston from taking the series.
Tag: Eastern Conference Finals
Tampa Bay Lightning tie it up against Boston Bruins
Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals made for an interesting game at St Pete Times Forum, where the Tampa Bay Lightning fought their way back against the Boston Bruin’s early 3-0 lead.
The first period saw a round of unassisted goals by the Bruins, with Patrice Bergeron neatly tucking the first goal into the left side of the net. Michael Ryder followed this up a few minutes later. Bergeron went for another as he scored while the Bruins were short handed.
During the second period the Lightning fought back, scoring three goals of their own. Despite a bit of a fumble, Teddy Purcell managed to get Tampa’s first goal with a backhand to the far side of the net. Just over a minute later he managed to do it again with a wrist shot. Sean Bergenheim tied it up, with a goal that now puts him in the lead for league playoff goals. This made it three goals for the Lightning within a span of four minutes, catching them up with the Bruins.
Simon Gagne put the Lightning ahead in the third period, and had the opportunity to score a second goal. Instead he sent the puck to Martin St Louis, who scored on an empty net after the Bruins had pulled their goalie.
The Tampa Bay Lightning won it 5-3.
The Eastern Conference Finals are now tied 2-2. Game 5 takes place tonight at Boston’s TD Garden. Puck drops at 8 pm EST.
Eastern Conference Bruins and Lightning Goalies Pulling their Weight
With the Eastern Conference Final tied 1-1 between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning, a lot of pressure comes down on the players to push even harder than before. The two hardest working players in this final are Tim Thomas and Dwayne Roloson, the Bruins and Lightning goalies respectively.
Considered by many to have the best goal tending in this season’s run for the Stanley Cup, both Thomas and Roloson have only let in on average two goals per game during Rounds 1 and 2. Their playoff save average is incredibly similar as well: .941 for Roloson and .937 for Thomas.
Thomas has even been compared to legendary Edmonton Oilers goaltender Grant Fuhr. As for Roloson, many say his goaltending is the driving force behind the Lightning’s success in the playoffs.
The conference is tied 1-1. Next game between the Bruins and Lightning takes place tonight at 8 pm in Tampa. But what we really want to know is… who’s your favorite goalie this season?