The Tampa Bay Lightning brought the heat in the third period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins. But after controlling play in the third period, they couldn’t get the game-tying shot past Tim Thomas and lost 6-5.
Mike Smith replaced Dwayne Roloson in net in the third period, but Smith wasn’t called on very often as Tampa Bay put the pressure on hard, especially after Steven Stamkos torched a wrist shot past Thomas to cut the Boston lead to 6-4. The Lightning outshot the Bruins 15-8 in the third period and got another goal from Dominic Moore to cut the lead to 6-5 with 6:45 left in the game. But even though the Lightning had several more chances to tie the score, they couldn’t find the net.
Tyler Seguin had two goals and two assists for Boston, all in their five-goal second period. Vincent Lecavalier had a goal and three assists, while Stamkos had a goal and two assists. Thomas made 36 saves for the Bruins, but neither he or Dwayne Roloson played very well.
The best-of-seven series is now tied at a game apiece as the teams return to Tampa for Game 3 on Thursday night.