DENVER, Colorado – The Tampa Bay Lightning will get another chance to play following a game five 3-2 win, over the Colorado Avalanche. The Lightning still trail the Stanley Cup Finals 3-2 games, as both teams head back to Tampa for game 6.
Game 5 Opening Face-Off – Photo by Jack Lima
The Lightning scored a tally in each of the three periods, opening the scoring when Jan Rutta scored on a slap shot from the top of the circle at the 15:23 marker of the first period.
Jan Rutta (44) celebrates his goal at the Lightning bench – Photo by Jack Lima
Colorado’s Valeri Nichushkin caught a rebound shot from Cale Makar at 5:07 into the second period to even the score at one each. But only three minutes later, Nikita Kucherov’s shot from the slot bounced off the pole into the net, during a power play putting the Lightning back on top.
Corey Perry (10) watches Nikita Kucherov’s (not pictured) shot elude Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper for a goal during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Early in the third period, the Avalanche scored the equalizer, when Cale Makar’s shot appeared to slide under Andre Vasilevskiy’s pad.
The ultimate game winner came with 6:22 remaining in the game off the stick of Ondrej Palat. His shot escaped though Darcy Kuemper’s five-hole into the back of the net.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Colorado took a too many men on the ice penalty, giving Tampa the 5-on-4 power play advantage until 43 seconds remained in the game. Then, with just over a minute remaining, Kuemper was pulled for the extra skater, but Colorado couldn’t find the net before the last buzzer sounded.
Corey Perry (10) falls over goalie Darcy Kuemper as he attempts to cover the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Cale Makar (8) makes a pass as Ondrej Palat (18) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Cale Makar (8) and Corey Perry (10) look for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Artturi Lehkonen (62) controls the puck as Corey Perry (10) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Steven Stamkos (91) looks to pass to Brandon Hagel (38) as defenseman Jack Johnson (3) gets his stick in the passing lane – Photo by Jack Lima
Steven Stamkos (91) fights for position with Jack Johnson (3) in front of Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper – Photo by Jack Lima
Nazem Kadri (91) tries to tip a shot past goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy as Mikhail Sergachev (98) provides support – Photo by Jack Lima
Nathan MacKinnon (29) battles for position with Ryan McDonagh (27) – Photo by Jack Lima
Mikhail Sergachev (98) cross checks Nazem Kadri (91) – Photo by Jack Lima
Linesman Jonny Murray falls into the bench to avoid a collision with Pat Maroon (14) – Photo by Jack Lima
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a blocker save – Photo by Jack Lima
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy looks to cover the puck in a scrum of players in front of the net – Photo by Jack Lima
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy looks for the puck after making a save as Mikko Rantanen (96) looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Josh Manson (42) tries to block a shot in front of Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper – Photo by Jack Lima
Josh Manson (42) Logan O’Connor (25) Alex Newhook (18) and Riley Nash (16) line up for a face-off – Photo by Jack Lima
Kuemper stopped 26 shots for the night. Vasilevskiy took the win with 35 shots on net.
The two teams travel back to Tampa for game 6 on Sunday, June 26 (game 7, if necessary, in Denver on June 28).
Gabriel Landeskog (92) tries to screen goalie Anderi Vasilevskiy – Photo by Jack Lima
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