DENVER – Colorado Avelanch defeated Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday to lead a 2-0 series lead over two-time Cup defenders.
It was such a good performance that even Avalanche coach Jared Bednar had no real notes on how to improve.
“It was certainly as close to the perfect game as you can get from your players,” Bednar said. “Coming out of match 1, we were dangerous in attack, but I thought there was another step for our group. We appreciated that, we showed them some things and they did a good job. And we were much better in defense tonight. it wasn’t even close. I thought we made some big mistakes that led to goals against in Match 1. We got better in those areas, by the way. “
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It is also a small feat to score seven goals per player from around the world like Andrei Vassilevski. But Colorado had his number from the start.
Valery Nichushkin shook Avalanche at the beginning of the first period with a goal in a strong game, and then Josh Manson followed a one-time shot past Vasilevsky out of the aspiration. Andre Burakowski led Colorado 3-0 after the first 20 minutes. Attempts to strike favored Colorado 24-10.
In the second Nichushkin again extended the lead of Colorado, followed by great individual efforts of Darren Helm to make 5-0.
Less than three minutes after the third period, Cale McCarthy added a goal to the defeat. He added another in the power game to make it 7-0, becoming only the fourth player in NHL history to score short and with a male advantage in a Cup final match. The others were Gordy Howe, Glen Wesley and Trevor Linden.
This kind of result would be impressive against any goalkeeper, not to mention the winner of the Vezina trophy like Vassilevski. Bednar tried to keep the achievement in perspective with the overall game of Colorado.
“The number of goals, I’m not very excited [about]. I just think it’s about the way we played, “he said.” Some days we shoot better than others and play like tonight, not get seven. Things must go well. He is such a good goalkeeper that you have to give him strength. Tonight we shot very well, we created a lot of positions and our boys buried the chances we got. The boys felt it tonight. “
And how. Colorado has consistently preached the importance of not allowing Tampa Bay’s pedigree to influence his approach. In Game 2 Avalanche won all the battles, was better in the special teams (2-for-4 with the extra man, compared to Lightning 0-for-3) and received a strong performance from goalkeeper Darcy Kumper in the 16-save save.
That was the least of the shots Tampa Bay generated in a playoff game this year. Not surprisingly, given how little ownership time – about 28% – Lightning managed to snatch against Colorado’s stifling attack, for which there was no answer.
“[We are] hungry on the defensive side of things, trying to win as many races as possible, as many battles as we can, overcoming puck and making it harder, “Bednar said.” It’s part of our identity and who we are. Our boys have been doing it all year and continue to do so. They did it better tonight than we usually do. “
As good as Game 2 was, Colorado meant it was just one win.
“I feel like we played on our T identity tonight,” Makar said. “Obviously we had some good goals. But at the end of the day we know that in the next match they will give their best. The next match is always the most difficult. It was a little strange tonight. We get opportunities, but the boys managed to take advantage, so that’s a good part. “
Avalanche really failed on Saturday when Burakowski left the match in the middle with an injury. Bednar had no information about his condition after that, saying he still needed to be assessed. Burakowski recently missed time in the Western Conference final with leg disease, but was an important figure after his return, even scoring the winner in overtime in Match 1.
Fortunately for Colorado, it doesn’t lack depth. And Avalanche will need everyone on board as the series moves to Tampa. The Lightning fell behind in the Eastern Conference final against New York 2-0, then went home to win a pair and eventually led the Rangers in four straight to reach a third straight Cup final.
Everyone knows it’s not over until it’s over. Bednar said he was confident his team would not be ahead.
“It must be easy for us [going to Tampa]he said. “We don’t pay attention to the noise outside our locker room and we don’t pay attention to it when [things being said] are good. Our team just looks really focused, they are in the mood and they are hungry and they want to win, so they play as hard as they can to achieve that. [goal]”
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