The Lightning stay alive

The Tampa Bay Lightning were hot, but managed to force a sixth game in the Stanley Cup Final by beating the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Friday in Denver.

Ondrej Palat played the heroes for the third time since the start of the spring tournament, at the end of the third period. Victor Hedman served a skillful drop to the Czech forward when he had been forgotten in front of the net, allowing him to thwart Darcy Kuemper between the pads.

A penalty for having sent too many men on the ice then slowed the enthusiasm of the Avalanche at the end of the duel.

The “Avs” and the “Bolts” delivered a show that exceeded the expectations of National Hockey League fans. Full of action, the meeting was played on a thread.

Cale Makar brought both teams back to square one in the third period. His shot from the point could not be controlled by Andrei Vasilevskiy and the allowed throw return ricocheted off the skate of defender Erik Cernak.

Earlier in the game, the “Avs” had hit the mark for the first time in very similar circumstances. Valeri Nichushkin took advantage of a generous rebound from Makar’s attempt to score his fourth goal of the final.

Vasilevskiy still lived up to his reputation by making 36 saves in a game where his team were up against the wall. He was helped, however, by his teammates, who cheated Kuemper three times on 29 shots.

After watching defenseman Josh Manson block two of his shot attempts in quick succession, captain Steven Stamkos changed his strategy on the power play in the second period. He spotted Nikita Kucherov on the blue line, who took advantage of a screen from Corey Perry to beat Kuemper with a hard slap shot.

Czech full-back Jan Rutta threw a cold shower on the Ball Arena midway through the first half by opening the scoring. He surprised Kuemper with a weak shot, while no one blocked the view of the Canadian goalkeeper.

The sixth game of the final will take place on Sunday in Tampa.

SUMMARY

20:00- Fine you match.

17:17 The Avalanche receives a penalty because there were too many players on the ice. The Lightning find themselves on the power play.

13:38 – BUT TB 3-2 Ondrej Palat fires a one-timer following a fine pass from Victor Hedman. His 11th in the playoffs gives the lead to Tampa Bay.

09:21- Bowen Byram gets a good chance, but he’s frustrated by Andrei Vasilevskiy.

07:54- Mikhail Sergachev fires a sharp shot that hits the post.

02:50- Nazem Kadri knocks on the door, but Andrei Vasilevskiy refuses to give in.

02:31 – BUT COL 2-2 Cale Makar fires a shot that is blocked by Andrei Vasilevskiy, but the Lightning goaltender is unlucky as the puck bounces past him and ends up in the net. Makar is credited with the goal. This is his eighth in the series.

00:00- Beginning of the period.

THIRD PERIOD

20:00- End of period.

18:52- Immediately after Stamkos’ chance, it was Mikko Rantanen’s turn to go alone against Andrei Vasilevskiy. However, his shot misses the target.

18:41- Steven Stamkos finds himself alone in front of Darcy Kuemper, but he misses his chance.

17:34- Cale Makar slips through the Lightning defense, but he can’t beat Andrei Vasilevskiy.

16:17 – Ross Colton receives a high-sticking penalty. The Avalanche will benefit from a power play.

15:55- Bowen Byram goes on the attack, but Andrei Vasilevskiy puts an end to the threat and makes the save.

08:10 – BUT TB 2-1 During the power play, Nikita Kucherov draws on reception following a pass from Steven Stamkos. His eighth of the series restores the lead to Tampa Bay.

06:58- Cale Makar receives a penalty for tripping Ondrej Palat. The Lightning get a power play.

5:07 – BUT COL 1-1 Immediately after a face-off in Tampa Bay territory, Cale Makar takes a shot that is blocked by Andrei Vasilevskiy. Valeri Nichushkin grabs the return and scores his ninth of the playoffs.