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SPORTS A19
Saturday 13 June 2015
Chicago, Tampa Bay all even before this series began, Goaltending also hasn’t
again in Stanley Cup Final but Tampa Bay has recom- been a deciding factor in
mitted to the improved de- this series, even with ample
fensive game that allowed reason to think it might be.
it to get out of the Eastern The Lightning don’t know
Conference playoff brack- yet whether Andrei Vasi-
et in 20 grueling games. levskiy will get another start
Neither of these speedy in net after the 20-year-
teams is flying down the old Russian rookie played
ice, instead focusing on re- Game 4 in place of Ben
sponsible hockey. Bishop, who has an undis-
“We got caught up think- closed injury. Vasilevskiy
ing it would be run-and- won Game 2 in relief, and
gun,” Blackhawks forward he played well Wednesday
Brad Richards said. “And in his first playoff start, giv-
if we do that, we just feed ing Tampa Bay little reason
them. We’ve got to be to worry about the poten-
more patient than them.” tially precarious position.q
Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews, left, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s J.T. Brown chase after a
loose puck during the second period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Wednesday,
June 10, 2015, in Chicago.
Associated Press
GREG BEACHAM the game ... I just don’t see the Lightning captain still
AP Hockey Writer it happening,” Lightning doesn’t have a goal in the
TAMPA, Florida (AP) — Four associated coach Rick series.
games into the Stanley Bowness said. “There are “When you have teams of
Cup Final, all that’s clear is moments in each of the this caliber, it’s bound to
just how little separates the four games that we were in be a tight series,” Stamkos
Chicago Blackhawks and control of it, and there are said. “We’re disappointed
the Tampa Bay Lightning. moments, like the second about the squandered
These two NHL conference period last night, that they chance, (but) if you’d have
champions have two vic- were in control of it.” given us a best 2 out of 3 at
tories, nine goals and 24 Tampa Bay could very well home at the beginning of
penalty minutes apiece, have won all four games the year to win the Stanley
while Chicago has outshot but the Blackhawks could Cup, any team in their right
Tampa Bay 107-104. say the same thing. Still mind would take that op-
Neither team has led by Game 4 will still be stinging portunity.”
more than one goal at the Lightning and the one The series is so even be-
any point in the Final’s first they will look back on with cause these teams’ similari-
four games, which have all regret if they don’t man- ties have largely canceled
been decided by one goal age to win the Cup. each other out, from the
apiece for the first time Tampa Bay held the Black- flying forwards up front to
since 1968 and just the third hawks to just two shots in the uncertain goalie situa-
time in NHL history. the first period and didn’t tions in back.
The Lightning return home let up significantly in the fi- “It’s a game of bounces.
for Game 5 on Saturday at nal two periods, dominat- You just try to work hard
Amalie Arena knowing they ing the puck. Yet the Black- and try to get those bounc-
missed early opportunities hawks got goals of pure es and keep the momen-
to get Chicago in serious persistence from Jonathan tum,” Saad said. “But luck’s
trouble in this series — and Toews and Brandon Saad, definitely a part of it. It’s a
they know the fate of other while the Lightning lament- tough trophy to win and a
opponents who failed to ed numerous missed scor- tough series to be a part
put the Blackhawks away. ing chances. of.”
“For either one of us to think Steven Stamkos twice The Lightning still have the
we’re going to go out there came close to tying Game impressive team speed that
and control 60 minutes of 4 in the final 90 seconds but seemed to be a key factor
