Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins Game 5 Recap

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.