today 06:24
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Tampa Bay hockey players defended the Stanley Cup. On Thursday night, they won the fifth NHL playoffs at home over Montreal 1-0 and triumphed 4-1 in the entire series.
In the Lightning jersey, the Slovak defender is also looking forward to winning the title again after a year Erik Černák.
“Blesky” won the third overall championship trophy (2004, 2020, 2021). At the same time, they became the first NHL team since 2017 to defend the championship. Before the Lightning, the Pittsburgh Penguins last achieved the last time, triumphing in 2016 and 2017.
Tampa’s triumph was decided by Ross Colton’s goal from the 34th minute. Lightning was supported by Russian goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevsky, who kept a clean sheet. Černák played for more than 22 minutes, received one minor penalty, gave four “hits” and threatened Montreal goalkeeper Carey Price with three shots. Slovak wing Tomas Tatar even in the final match of the season he was missing from the Montreal squad.
Colton became the seventh newcomer in NHL history and the second in the so-called modern era, which scored the decisive goal in the final match of the playoffs. Before him, Mike Rupp of the New Jersey Devils did it in 2003.
NHL Playoff Finals:
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – MONTREAL CANADIENS 1:0 (0:0, 1:0, 0:0)
Goal: 34. Colton (Savard, McDonagh).
Judges: Dwyer, O´Rourke – Cormier, Cherrey, disqualification: 4: 4 for 2 min., Power-ups and weakening: 0: 0, 18,110 spectators (sold out).
Tampa Bay: Vasilevsky – Rutta, Hedman, ČERNÁK, McDonagh, Savard, Sergačov – Kučerov, Point, Palát – Stamkos, Cirelli, Colton – Coleman, Gourde, Goodrow – Joseph, Johnson, Maroon
Montreal: Price – Weber, Chiarot, Petry, Edmundson, Kulak, Romanov – Gallagher, Danault, Toffoli – Caufield, Suzuki, Anderson – Lehkonen, Evans, Byron – Perry, Staal, Armia
/ final result of the series: 4: 1, Tampa won the Stanley Cup /
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The first third of the game belonged to Tampa, whose players were more active. Montreal was not allowed to open the score even in the 9th minute, when they played after the fouls of Rutt and Černák in a double weakening. Shortly afterwards, even the “lightning bolts” did not use a double power play when the goalkeeper Price repeatedly held the Canadiens.
The Canadian team increased activity in the second part, but without the desired effect. Goalkeeper Tampa Vasilevskij was a big obstacle for them and his teammates blocked several shots. The first, and finally the only goal of the match, came in the 34th minute. Defender Savard ideally found Colton, who did not hesitate in front of the exposed goal – 1: 0.
In the third part, Lightning did not withdraw on the defensive and returned to offensive activity. The Canadiens took several risks in the attack, but Vasilevsky and Price held their teams. The Montreal players increased the pressure at the end of the match, but Caufield hit the only chance of the guests only in the field.
Vote after the match (nhl.com):
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay defender: “We didn’t know how the season would go a year ago, and now we’re looking forward to the second Stanley Cup. Unbelievable. It can’t be compared to the previous triumph, it was different. But now we’re very happy to enjoy it too. with our fans and in front of a full hall. It’s a wonderful feeling. ”
Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay coach: “It’s a player’s triumph, they did it. I just stood there chewing gum. It was a tough season in which everyone wanted to succeed against us since we won the Stanley Cup last year. But our team is very strong and knows how to win This triumph is very sweet and hard to compare with the previous one, we have players who are stars in the eyes of the fans, but for me they are all stars, it’s fantastic how everyone was able to work together for success. Patrick Maroon, which younger players are looking up to. ”
