|
 Crawford was strong early and even stronger in the game's closing
minutes, stopping a flurry of shots including two point-blank rips
from Steven Stamkos with an extra skater on the ice for Tampa Bay.
Chicago were outshot 25-19 in the home game.
Russian rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy was the surprise starter in the
other net, filling in for Ben Bishop, who left Game Two early and
was visibly impeded by injury in Game Three.
The two teams were deadlocked through the first as Tampa Bay came
out hard, testing Crawford with nine shots against just two for
Chicago.
"For whatever, reason we were stuck in the mud again but Crow came
up with an unbelievable game and gave us a chance to win," Chicago
center Brad Richards told reporters.
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who along with Patrick Kane has
been uncharacteristically quiet during the series, opened the
scoring at 6:40 of the second when he tipped in a pass from Patrick
Sharp.
Tampa Bay's Alex Killorn tied it at 11:47 of the same period, before
Saad made it 2-1 for Chicago at 6:22 of the third, backhanding in
his own rebound on Kane's assist.
Crawford took it from there.
"I had some quality looks at the end, I just couldn't find a way to
put one in," Lightning captain Steven Stamkos told reporters.
[to top of second column] |
"We're still feeling confident in our group. That game could have
gone either way."
The series now becomes a best-of-three contest as it shifts back to
Tampa Bay for Game Five on Saturday. Each game of the series has
been a one-goal affair, and no team has held more than a one-goal
lead at any time.
(Writing by Cameron French, Editing by Greg Stutchbury/Nick
Mulvenney)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
