In the second game of the NHL Finals series, defending champion Tampa Bay Ligthning goes down 7-0. But the champion picks himself up and makes an impressive comeback against the Colorado Avalanche. Captain Steven Stamkos formulates a challenge.
The Tampa Bay Lightning recorded their first win against the Colorado Avalanche in the finals series for the North American Ice Hockey Championship. Tampa won the third game at home 6-2 (2-1, 4-1, 0-0) and reduced the series to 1-2 after two previous losses in Colorado. Four achievements are required to win the Stanley Cup in the NHL.
"It was a great comeback from us today. We knew we were strong in front of our own fans. Now we're in the finals," said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. Two days earlier, the champions had gone down 7-0 in Colorado, while Tampa had lost the first duel 4-3 in overtime.
Colorado with German pro Nico Sturm took the lead through Gabriel Landeskog (9th minute), but Anthony Cirelli (14th) and Ondrej Palat (15th) put Tampa ahead in the first third. Nicholas Paul (22nd), Stamkos (28th), Pat Maroon (32nd) and Corey Perry (35th) made the decision in the second period. Landeskog (25th) only managed to catch up to 2:3 for the Avalanche. Sturm played almost eight minutes for the guests.
The fourth of the maximum of seven games between the two teams will take place again in Tampa on Thursday night. The Florida team has won the Stanley Cup for the past two years. The Lightning are aiming for their fourth NHL championship overall, and Colorado could be champions for the third time. Sturm would be the fifth German professional overall to win the title in the North American league.
