Blackhawks Win Another Close One, Lead Stanley Cup Finals 3-2

The Chicago Blackhawks eked out another one goal victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa on June 13th, winning 2-1.  Chicago is now one victory away from its third Stanley Cup in six years and sixth overall.

This series has been about as tight as it gets.  The five games have been decided by one goal, the first time that has happened since 1951.  The series has been a great one for those who like their hockey with a large helping of defense and good goaltending, as there have been three games with 2-1 scores.

The Blackhawks got off to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Patrick Sharp flipped a shot into an undefended Tampa Bay net.  Tampa goalie Ben Bishop came way out of the net to play the puck when he collided with teammate Victor Hedman.  While they untangled themselves, Sharo skated in and scored.  Bishop had missed Game 4 with some mysterious  undisclosed injury, but recovered enough to start Game 5.  Bishop is one of the best in the NHL, but even the good ones screw one up once in awhile. Valtteri Flippula tied it up in the second, and Antoine Vermette scored the game winner in the third period.  Vermette also scored the game winning goal in the third period in Chicago’s 2-1 victory in the Finals opening game.

Chicago now has a chance to win the Cup at home for the first time since 1938; the decisive game in their last three Stanley Cup winning series came on the road.  Tampa Bay may have another injury situation to deal with as Nikita Kucherov left the game in the first period after crashing into the Blackhawks’ goalpost.  Game 6 is in Chicago on June 15th; if the Lightning pull that one out, Game 7 will be in Tampa on June 17th.