Game two of the Stanley Cup final was Saturday night in Tampa. The Blackhawks came in with a 1-0 series lead, after a late surge in game one that resulted in a stunning 2-1 win. The Hawks needed to come with a better effort if they expected to come home with a 2-0 lead. Playing a only a strong third period, or just final six minutes, was not going to do the job. The Lightning sounded like they regretted going into defense first mode and letting the Blackhawks claw their way back into the game. It was doubtful that they would allow the Blackhawks that much room to work, if given the opportunity again.
The Blackhawks opened the game much more solid than game 1. They kept the shots and chances pretty even, but the Lightning had the only goal. The shots were ever so slightly in favor of Tampa 12-11, and that was with the help of a late powerplay. Still plenty of things to build on for the Blackhawks.
The second period opened up a bit, with both teams scoring big goals. The Blackhawks scored 2 goals and the Lightning answered. The Bolts led in shots 10-8, and when all was said and done, the Blackhawks were still down by one. They were going to need another big 3rd period to come back to Chicago up 2-0.
The third period didn't exactly work out in the Hawks favor. They were able to tie the game, but then gave up a late powerplay goal to end up losing 4-3. The shots were 10-2 in favor of the Hawks, but they couldn't pull off another game of late magic.
Don't worry, folks. A split on the road is what you hope for. The Blackhawks still sit on a fine position.
- The Blackhawks opened the game much better than game 1. They had several chances and kept it even in shots.
- After killing off a Lightning powerplay the Blackhawks fourth line came up big. Desjardins had a nice little give and go with Johnny Oduya. Desjardins turned and threw a shot at the net with Kruger and Shaw screening Bishop. The shot squirted through
- Shortly after the Shaw goal, a Blackhawks powerplay came up big. Patrick Sharp chipped the puck to Teravainen and he played give-n-go with Hossa, who was in the corner. Teuvo used a Saad screen to beat Bishop to the stick side to go up 2-1.
- Brent Seabook came up big once again for the Blackhawks with about 4 minutes gone in the third period. The Hawks broke the forecheck of the Lightning and pushed deep into the Lightning zone after Q made the change to swap Kane and Hossa. The puck was dropped to Seabrook who loaded the howitzer and beat Bishop with Hossa in his grill.
- Teravainen was really good. He has slid in as a legit weapon, right behind the big names. Just wait until he's REALLY comfortable. It's too bad he's too small, and doesn't like to shoot enough.
- Believe it or not the Blackhawks were at 65% at the faceoff dots. If it weren't for Richards going 36%, they would have been up in the 70% range.
- The Bolts took a 1-0 lead late in the first period. Ryan Callahan caught Kyle Cumiskey out on the ice and beat him on an icing call. The Lightning held possession and after a couple of stopped chances, then Cedric Paquette picked up an open puck in the slot and beat Crawford, using Toews as a screen.
- Just a minute and thirty seconds after the Teravainen goal, Nikita Kucherov redirected a long Garrison shot just enough to get past Crawford, and tie the game back up.
- During a Lightning powerplay in the third period, Bishop went to the locker room and Vasilevskiy went in. It looked like an equipment thing because Bishop came right back. The Lightning scored on the powerplay, though. Bishop went out again a few minutes later once again. If he is hurt, as it looks, the Blackhawks just gained another advantage.
- After his late game back to back penalties, Sharp was removed and Kane took his spot.
- Crawford. Not his solid self. You can't blame the game on him, but he needs to tighten up. Goalies have these games, and he'll come back fine.
- Again, the powerplay could have really bailed them out. One goal is nice, but those players are too good to not be clowning teams.
- Patrick Sharp was brutal. His two late game penalties ended up killing the Hawks.
- I understand that a triple crown is a big deal, but NBC could have started the game on NBCSN then. Can't tell me this was a surprise for them. God damn. You don't need to run the post race show on both.
- With about 6 minutes left in the second period, Crawford gave up his first softy of the series. Tyler Johnson walked out from the corner and caught Crawford cheating off the post. The puck hit Crawford in the arm and squirted into the net. He has to have that one.
- During the second of two Patrick Sharp penalties, the Lightning got yet another lucky bounce. Jason Garrison loaded up and released a shot from the point that went off Andrew Desjardins' stick, knuckled and into the net. Not Crawford's lucky day.
- After being out there for the first goal, we might have seen the last of Cumiskey. He only played one shift in the third period and 7 for the entire game. Trevor van Riemsdyk could be in our future.
- If you called for Scott darling at any point of this game, or after, Fuck you. You're a god damn idiot.
Saad-Toews-Kane
Versteeg-Richards-Hossa
Teravainen-Vermette-Sharp
Shaw-Kruger-Desjardins
Keith-Hjalmarsson
Oduya-Seabrook
Rundblad-Cumiskey