Stanley Cup Final Game 2: Tampa Bay Lightning Tie Series In Win Against The Chicago Blackhawks

The Tampa Bay Lightning found the a way to edge out the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Fox Sports reported. The series is now tied one game a piece.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said about Chicago’s play in Game 2, “Regardless of who’s in net, we were trying to find a way to tie that game in the end… But sometimes those ones slip away from you. We just kept giving up goals every time we tied the game or got ourselves back into it. We just ran out of time.”

The Lightning got their victory on the impressive play of rookie goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had to relieve Ben Bishop after he left the game unexpectedly for an undisclosed reason, the Boston Globe reported.

Vasilevskiy said about his play in Game 2, “Nervous? Just maybe a little bit… But after the first couple shots, I feel myself better. Every game I’m ready and I keep my head ready for the game and that’s it… First time, maybe more nervous. But second time, just play and that’s it.”

Vasilevskiy looked like a veteran in the bright lights of suddenly being thrust into the midst of the Stanley Cup Final made five saves in more than nine minutes of playing time.

Lightning defensemen Anton Stralman said about Vasilevskiy, “We just told him to have fun… I have no idea what went through his head, but he’s a calm kid. Even if he knows that he’s not going to play, he always prepares for every game and does everything he can to be ready.”

Jason Garrison scored the game-winning goal, ending the game 4-3.

Vasilevskiy’s teammates were more than supportive of the rookie’s time on the ice. Lightning teammates were quick to hand out words of encouragement.

Lightning defensemen Victor Hedman said about Vasilevskiy, “We feel very safe with Vasilevskiy in the net, if that’s going to be the case. He’s proven at every level that he’s a winner and he’s one of the best goalie prospects in a lot of years. And we’ve seen him battle throughout game this year. We’ll see what happens, but we have two great goal tenders that can win games for us.”

Chicago will have the chance to bounce back at home in Game 3. Tampa Bay, though, will be looking to steal a game on the road, just like the Blackhawks did in Game 1, as reported by the Inquisitr. Game 3 takes place in Chicago on Monday.

[Photo credit: Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images Sport]