(Before I even start, let me say this. This series is going seven. This series is going seven games, and we must all thank the hockey gods for that.)
The above opinion did not formulate itself until after the game ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning Game 3 in Chicago last night 3-2. Blackhawks in five was my initial prediction, and I’m so glad I’m wrong because this is going to be a fantastic series as we watch the “Florida Youngsters” grow up right before us.
The Lightning opened up the game with a very physical, swarming forecheck that the Blackhawks appeared to not be ready for. Without the puck in their offensive zone, there always seemed to be one or two white jerseys collapsing on a lone Chicago defenseman causing havoc and confusion while he had the puck. That strategy continued throughout the game, and Tampa Bay continued to get turnover after chance after turnover.
Tampa’s first goal was not a result of that pressure, but from a brilliant pass by defenseman Victor Hedman that found its way to Ryan Callahan’s stick who absolutely blasted a shot from the right slot past Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. Hedman delivered a perfect pass while the Blackhawks were in the middle of a change. The resulting play and blast from Callahan produced such a perfect *ping* sound when it hit the iron that I swear that my next door neighbor wondered if someone had rung his doorbell.
Chicago’s first period was full of shots and missed opportunities. Both Teuvo Teravainen and Marian Hossa missed open net chances on Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop — who looked very strong in the first period amidst the questions of whether or not he was injured or had gastric distress in the third period of Game 2. The Blackhawks eventually beat the Bishop on a power play goal by Brad Richards, but Bishop stood tall in the first 20 minutes of the game which was important because he faced 19 shots compared to Crawford’s seven.
The pressure and opportunities continued for both teams in the second period as the Lightning kept it up and got a breakaway for Nikita Kucherov that Crawford stoned him on, and a bad Tampa turnover led to an amazing chance for Chicago with 14:05 left that Bishop turned aside.
Period two can be described in one word: pain — specifically for Ben Bishop. After turning aside a shot with his left pad in the first period, Bishop looked a little labored. Midway through the second period, it was pretty pronounced that Bishop’s lateral movement was decreased in speed, and while on a power play with about 4:50 to go, Brandon Saad collided with the Lightning goalie that left him face down on the ice for a second or two.
Tampa Bay failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play even though they got marvelous chances from Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson. Corey Crawford was solid and magnificent in doing his part to kill off the two-man advantage for the Lightning, and the second period closed with the Blackhawks having all of the momentum … ALL OF IT!
(Oh, boy. Here it comes — the Chicago onslaught. We’ve all seen this movie script before, haven’t we?)
The third period opened, and just like clockwork, it happened. The Blackhawks applied pressure and ramped up the forecheck. Chicago got a goal from Saad to make it 2-1 early in the third. Tampa Bay Lightning fans reactions could be summed up in one word:
PANIC!!!
Who knew that a mere 13 seconds later, Ondřej Palát would get yet another unexpected Lightning equalizer. Tampa Bay is surprising a lot of people with their refusal to go down easy in the face of a hostile crowd, the Stanley Cup Finals, and that dang Indian in the middle of the United Center which seemed to have an extra inch on his grin after Saad made it 2-1.
If you’re familiar with the movie “Rounders”, the final match between Mike and Teddy KGB symbolizes the third period for the Tampa Bay Lightning. They kept hanging around and hanging around. Tampa continued to chip away at the big stack, experienced Blackhawks. Those kids have alligator’s blood. Finally with about 3:11 to go, it happened. Victor Hedman. Cedric Paquette. BOOM! Pacquette scores, makes it 3-2, Lightning, and that was all she wrote.
Tampa Bay recaptured the home ice they lost last week, and the series is now 2-1 Lightning with game 4 tomorrow night in Chicago. The Lightning have thrown their counter punch, and as a result, the Blackhawks have suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this Stanley Cup Playoffs and since early April.
Saying the Blackhawks are “on the ropes” would be blasphemous because this is still hockey. This is still the Stanley Cup Finals, and those are still the Blackhawks. You don’t put the phrase “on the ropes” in the same sentence with the Blackhawks unless you’re saying, “The Blackhawks have (insert team here) on the ropes.”
I will say this, however. The young Tampa Bay Lightning have them stunned a little.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
