Sergei Bobrovsky saves the game – FLA Live Arena, Home to the Florida Panthers – Sunrise, FL – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Felix Mizioznikov
Sergei Bobrovsky had his back to the drama. His stick was missing. He was unable to see the puck.
Not an issue.
In Game 2 of their NHL first-round playoff series, the Panthers defeated the Lightning 3-2 thanks to an overtime goal by Carter Verhaeghe, after Florida’s goalie made what may have been the save of the year on Tuesday night by stoning Tampa Bay’s Matt Dumba late in the second period.
Bobrovsky gave this explanation: “Desperation.”
Hey, whatever functions will do.
Bobrovsky, without his stick and diving blindly at a puck he couldn’t see, somehow made the save when Dumba had only the net to aim at.
Bob didn’t give up on that one save, according to Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Most likely, it’s more our fault than his. However, you must give him your due respect.
How it all happened: Anthony Cirelli of Tampa Bay skated down the slot with the puck and ultimately sent it off the end boards, with Steven Stamkos of the Lightning controlling the rebound. To the left of the Florida goaltender was Stamkos, whom Bobrovsky slipped across to confront.
Dumba one-timed a backhander toward the net after Stamkos slid the puck into open ice and across the slot. With his back to Dumba, Bobrovsky was forced to throw his body over the goal mouth.
With his gloved left hand outstretched, Bobrovsky dove, putting his wrist in the puck’s path.
“You can label it as skill, luck, or any other term you choose,” Stamkos remarked. “He’s an athletic goalie, so he makes a desperate move. That was undoubtedly a big save at that particular point in the game.” Such saves are made by excellent goalies. It’s just a shame we weren’t the ones experiencing it.
In spite of the fact that Panthers coach Paul Maurice later admitted to using “straight profanity” to describe what he was shouting at a bench player over a play that had just occurred, he added that the Bobrovsky save helped calm things down at a time when Florida was fuming after blowing an early 2-0 lead.
Normally a pretty stern guy, defenseman Aaron Ekblad celebrated when he saw Bobrovsky find a way, throwing his hands in the air.
“I was shocked and saw things from the bench,” Ekblad remarked. It was amazing. You enjoy seeing it.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.