Chicago v. Tampa Bay, Stanley Cup Finals, Game Four
First Period
The Bolts started 20-year-old Russian goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, who played fantastic to finish game two, over Ben Bishop. Coach Cooper remained quiet on exactly what was going on with Bishop.
The first period would be exciting with numerous opportunities for each team, but neither would score leaving the game tied 0-0 at the end of the first period.
The scoreless first period showed that Blackhawks Corey Crawford looked strong, but it also showed that the Lightning could count on their young backup goalie.
Second Period
The second period would find Chicago making a few line changes that would pay off as Jonathan Toews would score with just over thirteen minutes remaining in the period.
With the Lightning unable to clear the puck due to changing on the fly, Chicago’s Patrick Sharp would chip the puck, bouncing to the left side of the net and onto the stick of Toews who tapped it off goalie Vasilevskiy’s pad and into the net giving Chicago the lead 1-0.
The Lightning’s perseverance would pay off as Alex Killorn would answer with just over eight minutes remaining in the period. Viktor Filppula would take the puck behind the net and then find Killorn directly in front of the net. With the Blackhawk’s goalie Crawford looking the other way, Killorn easily tapped Filppula’s pass into the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Third Period
Although the Lightning would continue to attack, Chicago would be the only team to get on the board in the third period.
Chicago’s Brandon Saad scored from an assist by Patrick Kane. Saad would get the puck from Kane using a great stick move to skating in front of the net as he missed his first attempt to hit the puck on Vasilevskiy.
Yet Saad would continue his effort turning with his momentum to wrist shot the puck between the legs of Vasilevskiy to give Chicago the lead in the third period at 2-1.
The Lightning did everything they could to even up the score but could do nothing as Chicago goalie Corey Crawford saved everything they put on him to ensure the victory.
Postgame Analysis
The Blackhawks just found a way to win. There is no question that the Tampa Bay Lightning looked like the better team but they just could not put the puck in the net when they needed to.
There is a lot of credit to give the young Bolts who continued to attack the goal until the final whistle as many people did not believe the Lightning could hang with the veteran powered Blackhawks.
Still, there is no denying the momentum of Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford who played unbelievably in the net to lead Chicago to the win.
With this exciting series now tied at 2-2, Game Five of the Stanley Cup Finals continues Saturday, June 13th at 8 PM Eastern from Tampa Bay, Florida.
See the four games:
Blackhawks Shock Lightning in Game One of Stanley Cup Finals
Lightning Beat Blackhawks in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Finals
