6.01.2004
Stanley Cup Finals: Game 4
Brad Richards continued his winning streak when he scores a goal and the Lightning tied up the Stanley Cup Finals at two games apiece to make it a best of three series.
Richards also set a new NHL record with his seventh game winning goal of the playoff season. Richards' one goal on a two man advantage early in the first period was all it took as the Lightning hung on to their 1-0 lead for nearly three whole periods to take the win in Calgary.
The Lightning kept the pressure up even though they were outshot for the first time in this series. Calgary had more scoring opportunities than Tampa, but an outstanding game by Nikolai Khabibulin kept the Bolts on top. Not to undermine the game played by Kiprusoff, who kept the Flames in it after the early goal.
Richards didn't have the only record setting night, however. In game 3, Kiprosoff's shutout gave him a record-tying 5th shutout of this playoff year. Tonight's shutout for Khabibulin gave him his fifth shutout also, putting both goaltenders in the same category. Do goalies get more evenly matched?
The Flames were surging late in the third with under five minutes to go, but an unnecessary boarding penalty by Ville Nieminen got him a five minute major and put Calgary down by a man for the last four and a half minutes.
With the series now tied, both teams get a two day rest before playing in Tampa on Thursday in the ever-crucial game 5. Will Calgary continue their strong play on the road? Will Tampa crack an 11 game win/loss pattern streak? This is where things get interesting.
Brad Richards continued his winning streak when he scores a goal and the Lightning tied up the Stanley Cup Finals at two games apiece to make it a best of three series.
Richards also set a new NHL record with his seventh game winning goal of the playoff season. Richards' one goal on a two man advantage early in the first period was all it took as the Lightning hung on to their 1-0 lead for nearly three whole periods to take the win in Calgary.
The Lightning kept the pressure up even though they were outshot for the first time in this series. Calgary had more scoring opportunities than Tampa, but an outstanding game by Nikolai Khabibulin kept the Bolts on top. Not to undermine the game played by Kiprusoff, who kept the Flames in it after the early goal.
Richards didn't have the only record setting night, however. In game 3, Kiprosoff's shutout gave him a record-tying 5th shutout of this playoff year. Tonight's shutout for Khabibulin gave him his fifth shutout also, putting both goaltenders in the same category. Do goalies get more evenly matched?
The Flames were surging late in the third with under five minutes to go, but an unnecessary boarding penalty by Ville Nieminen got him a five minute major and put Calgary down by a man for the last four and a half minutes.
With the series now tied, both teams get a two day rest before playing in Tampa on Thursday in the ever-crucial game 5. Will Calgary continue their strong play on the road? Will Tampa crack an 11 game win/loss pattern streak? This is where things get interesting.
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2003 - 2005 Reverend Hughes |
