Hedman to Sportbladet: He can take over matches on his own
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LAS VEGAS. The reigning champions from Tampa have match ball in the Stanley Cup playoffs again.
They won Saturday night’s uncharacteristically bushy match against Carolina with remarkable numbers 6-4 and can be ready for a new semifinal in a couple of days.
– We meet a very good team and take nothing for granted, but we will do everything we can to decide immediately, says Victor Hedman to Sportbladet.
The series between Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes was characterized in three matches by limited areas, tight play and very few goals.
But during Saturday’s meeting at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, all the dams suddenly burst. Especially in the second period, when both combatants on the ice in one go turn into undisciplined boys’ teams and no less than eight goals were noted in the minutes.
Yes, eight.
It looked like the Hurricanes had taken command when they went up in a 4-2 lead, after goals from, among others, Jesper Fast, but the Bolts came back and turned before the midfield was over. Then the absolutely phenomenal Nikita Kucherov decided with her second goal of the day at the beginning of the third.
– Yes, I do not really know what happened in that period, we really did not play our best hockey during the first half, but both teams came from their game. However, it was very strong of us to come back and turn around after that introduction, says Victor Hedman on the phone from West Florida.
“Is absolutely superb”
– Then I think we did exactly what we were supposed to in third. So I’m still happy. Especially as we finally got the powerplay started as well. We missed a few positions in the beginning, but then we set three PP goals. It is important.
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov both scored two goals each and the latter was for a long time absolutely fantastic.
– Yes, he is the type of player who can take over matches on his own. Absolutely superb. And when he gets a little grumpy, like tonight, things go even better, says “Vigge”, who himself had an assist.
With Saturday’s victory, Lightning is in a battle position and can end the series in Raleigh on Wednesday night – and as champions, they know the value of putting in the lethal blow as soon as the chance arises.
– We are in the same position as in the series against Florida. Then we did not take the opportunity. We will try to do better now, Victor explains.
– However, we meet a very good opponent, so we really do not take anything for granted. There will be a fight in the tile, but we will do everything we can to decide immediately.
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