The Tampa Bay Lightning played a great game despite having a rough second period. The Bolts played in “pockets” in Jon Cooper’s words but the offense got the job done. As for the Habs, they did a great job coming back in the game and played great in the second. However, they struggled to hold off the Bolts offense and let the game slip away. The Bolts would go on to take the series lead and got a huge 2 points! Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

This period could not have started any better for the Bolts as they put immediate pressure on the Stars. Just a minute into the period the newbie JT Miller made a great play to get the puck to Brayden point, who then made no mistake putting it into the back of the net and give the Bolts a 1-0 Lead. Both teams would then keep up the fast-paced play as they raced back and forth getting some good chances. Domingue would even make a stupendous save stretching out his pad, a little Vasy like if you ask me. Corey Conacher would then get called for holding and send the Stars to their first power play of the night. Just under a min later Seguin blasted a shot that got right past Domingue and tied the game at 1. 3 min later the Bolts would have to go back to the PK as Paquette was called for slashing. This time the Bolts PK got the Job done and killed off the penalty to keep the game tied. The rest of the period quickly flew by as both teams kept up the quick pace but neither could break the tie.

Goals: 1-1

Shots: 13-6 Dallas

Second Period

The Second started just like the First with both teams flying end to end. Stephen Johns would then get called for slashing and send the Bolts to their first power play of the night. The Stars showed though why they have one of the Best PK units in the NHL shutting down the Bolts offense. Things then got scary for the Stars but they didn’t let it stop them. Dan Hamhuis was then called for hooking and just a few seconds into the PK The Stars received a too many men on the ice penalty to give the Bolts a 5 on 3! Unfortunately for the Bolts this was short lived as Yanni Gourde was then called for tripping and we would go to 4 on 3 hockey. As soon as the 4 on 3 ended the Bolts tried to make a change and they paid for it. Tyler Seguin slipped away on the right side and buried one to make it 2-1 Stars. The Stars would then get a short power play but nothing would come from the short man advantage. Once all the Penalties cleared and we were back to 5 on 5 hockey the Bolts picked up the pace. Just a few min later Anthony Cirelli busted up the ice and sniped a shot right past Bishop for his first NHL goal and to tie this game at 2! The Bolts weren’t done there though as after a quick shot Bishop fumbled the puck and Alex Killorn tapped it in to make it 3-2 Bolts. The Bolts continued to run with this momentum playing much better hockey in the second half of period number 2. The Bolts still had some more in store though as it was the Captains turn to rifle one home and extended the Bolts lead to 2. The Bolts would finish the period strong and take a 4-2 lead into the locker room.

Goals: 4-2 Tampa Bay

Shots: 19-18 Dallas

Third Period

The third did not start as well for the bolts with the Stars putting on some pressure early. Brett Ritchie then ripped one from the circle and netted one top shelf to pull the Stars within one. The Stars picked up the pace in the final 20 but the Bolts kept the puck out of the net and the score remained 4-3 Bolts. The Game also maintained a quick pace as both teams flew back and fourth down the ice taking some shots The Stars then really picked it up putting on tons of pressure, and the Bolts could just not get the puck out and the stars kept pouring on the pressure. Eventually, the Bolts would get it out but the Stars had the momentum as the period began to wind down. As the period went on things didn’t change as the Stars kept putting on the pressure. The Stars would eventually pull their goalie for the man advantage and…… well let me tell you. With under 10 seconds to go Mattias Janmark shot the puck right over Domingue who was down on the ice (no not hurt) The Stars Celebrated but Domingue thought he was interfered with so this play would go under review. NOW ITS TIME TO PLAY…. IS IT GOALTENDER INTERFERENCE!!!! Well, Domingue went to cover the puck with his glove but Seguin’s skate, which was in the paint, forced the puck out and ended on Janmark’s stick. Bias aside you could clearly see sequins skate push Domingues glove away from the puck so it should be called back no!? Wrong, they did call it a goal so we still don’t know what goaltender interference is but nonetheless, we would head to OT.

Goals: 4-4

Shots 33-22 Dallas

OT

Wow, what an overtime! I can’t explain everything that happened so do yourself a favor and go watch this OT period when you get a chance. This OT was filled with chances going back and forth and so many close calls. It started with Domingue coming out of the net and Stralman having to make the save! Then it was on to the odd man rushes, Point missed a breakaway and then the Domingue had to make a great save on a 2 on 1. Yanni Gourde nearly got on multiple breakaways but just couldn’t finish it off and the period would continue. Domingue would eventually be injured while trying to make a save after stretching out his pad. Luckily he was ok and would continue after a few minutes of rest. In the Final seconds of this on it looked like we would go to a shootout, BUT NOT IF COREY CONACHER HAD SOMETHING TO SAY! Conacher put on the jets and busted around the star’s defence and got a shot off while being tripped. The puck hit bishop and started to fly off but Conacher who was still sliding on the ice hit the puck with his stick to put it in!!!!!! This was an amazing play by Conacher and is definitely 10 worthy.

3 Stars

1. Anthony Cirelli (1G, 1A)
2. Tyler Seguin (2G, 1A)
3. Corey Conacher (1G)

Up Next and Final Strike

Wow, what a game, overall the Bolts played great especially in the second. The offense really showed up scoring 3 un-answered goals However, the Bolts struggled in the third keeping the Stars out of the offensive zone and pressure just snowballed on them. Nevertheless 2 Pts!

The Bolts will look to start their long 8 game home stand with a bang as they get set to take on the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday, March 3rd at 1:00PM EST.