Colorado Avelanche is one win from its first Stanley Cup title since 2001, thanks to a goal by Nazem Kadri on Wednesday. Even if the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning doesn’t believe it should have counted.
Kadri scored at 12:02 of the extra period to give Colorado a 3-2 victory in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final.
Without specifically saying that Tampa Bay thought Colorado had too many people on the ice for the winning goal, Lightning coach John Cooper suggested that the goal should not have been allowed. “We are all together in this. Players, coaches, referees, everyone. But this one will sting much more than the others,” he said.
“It will be difficult for me to talk… I will talk to you [on Thursday]. You will understand what I mean when you see the winning goal. And my heart breaks for the players. Because we probably still have to play. “
The NHL issued a statement saying the penalty was a verdict that could be made by officials on ice. All four officials said they had not seen too many men on the ice in the winning game. The call is not subject to video review.
Back in the squad, after being removed on June 4 due to a thumb injury, Kadri intervened against Andrei Vassilevski and sent a shot under the goalkeeper’s right hand to give Colorado a 3-1 lead in the series. “It was a huge victory. A steady victory, “said Kadri, who was sent off after being injured in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against Edmonton.
“It simply came to my notice then. I decided it was time to join the party. “
The avalanche celebrates its victory. Photo: Eliot J Schechter / NHLI / Getty Images
The Avalanche overtook Lightning 11-3 in overtime. Vassilevsky stopped Logan O’Connor when he broke away, and Colorado received one blow from the crossbar and another hit the crossbar before Kadri stopped him.
Anthony Sirelli scored 36 seconds of the game, and Victor Hedman also scored in the Lightning regulations. They led 2-1 in the third period. Nathan McKinnon scored in the second period of a strong game for Colorado, and Andrew Collano tied the score early in the third.
Darcy Kumper, who was drawn from Game 3 after scoring five goals in a 6-2 loss, stopped 37 shots and assisted on the winning goal for Avalanche. Vassilevski finished with 35 saves. He has recovered from conceding 11 goals in games 1 and 2 to limit the top-ranked Avalanche to five in the last two games.
Lightning is trying to become the first team to win at least three consecutive Stanley Cup titles after the New York Islanders won four in a row in 1980-83. Avalanche last won the Cup in 2001.
Lightning recovered from a poor game in Games 1 and 2 to make it interesting by neutralizing Colorado’s speed, limiting Avalanche’s goal opportunities, and increasing pressure on Kumper, who was barely tested when he faced 16 shots at 7-0. Kick in Game 2.
The dejected Nikita Kucherov from Tampa Bay after the match. Photo: Jeff Burke / USA Today Sports
Sirelli’s goal was the fastest in the Stanley Cup final since 2006, and Lightning set the tone for another busy evening for Kumper, beating Avalanche 17-4 in the opening period. Two of Colorado’s shots came while skating with a short arm, killing Tampa Bay’s first powerful game.
McKinnon’s first goal of the series – his 12th of the playoffs – erased Colorado’s early deficit at 5:17 of the second period. Avalanche equalized again when Collano, assisted by Nico Storm and Darren Helm, scored in a draw less than three minutes after the third.
Game 5 is Friday night in Denver, where Colorado won the first two games of the series and is 7-2 this postseason.
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