ECF Game 7 recap: Tampa Bay Lightning (5) at Boston Bruins (3)

by Cassie McClellan on May 27, 2011 11:27 PM EDT in Game Recaps

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals by a score of 1-0.

I could go on about how the game went, some of the statistics, or some of the details of the match. But, really, none of that matters. What matters is the final score, and it wasn't in the Lightning's favor.

So here's what I'm going to say instead.

What a ride, huh? That was one hell of a season. No one expected the Lightning to make it past the first round, let alone make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Who thought they'd make it past the Pittsburgh Penguins? Especially down three game to one at one point? Sure, they didn't have Evgen Malkin or Sidney Crosby, but they were still a formidable team to beat.

Then who thought they'd take the Washington Capitals next? How crazy is that? And they did have their stars in the lineup for most of the series, too; Alexander Semin, Alex Ovechkin, and Mike Green all played.

And then going a full seven games with the Bruins? And the game not being decided until the bitter end? Back in September no one would've thought to made that call.

As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction.

The Lightning had played three dismal seasons before this. Vincent Lecavalier was almost traded away, Martin St. Louis was thinking about asking for a trade, and there was a point when the team could've been sold to another city. That's how bad it got. I know people don't want to remember that, but we all know how it was.

And then this season, with practically the same lineup but with a different owner, general manager, and coaching staff, things changed. Even still, hockey experts didn't see this team finishing much higher than sixth in the Eastern Conference.

But then they took off, and didn't look back. The played until the last second of games, winning them on some nights, and didn't quit. They not only learned how to win, but helped prove that Tampa Bay was really a hockey community after all.

So, thank you, Tampa Bay Lightning. We all thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular ride you gave us this unexpectedly fantastic season. You might not have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals this year, but you gave it one heck of a shot.

And, seriously, that's not too shabby for a team that wasn't supposed to make it out of the first round.

Lightning vs Bruins coverage

Lightning vs Bruins recap

Lightning vs Bruins boxscore

Stanley Cup of Chowder

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

May I be the first to say (on this post)… hats off to you and your team. They put up a hell of an effort all series long. Really showed impressive determination and grit and never-say-die attitude. Earned the respect of every true Bruins fan and any who bash you after that effort is no true fan of the sport or the Bruins.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on May 27, 2011 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you

To everyone at Raw Charge. As a member of the Great Lightning Dispora it is great to have a virtual community to come to for all things hockey.

by Lightningfan7609 on May 27, 2011 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to express an absolute thanks to the Tampa fans and their team for an amazing series. It was one of the most enjoyable, rolller coaster series I have ever been able to watch and that game 7 was one of if not the best NHL game I have ever seen. I take my hat off to the team and the members of Raw Charge for a great series that people will speak of frequently and should never forget. I have a feeling that we might be seeing a lot of each other in the playoffs in the future and I look forward to it!!!

by beachguy113 on May 27, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

No!

In all seriousness, great season Bolts. A lot better then anyone expected. Doesn’t make this feel any better though…

"You can't defense that!" -Gary Thorne, after Brian Roberts' go-ahead home run in the 8th inning of an O's game vs. TB

by SnipeShot on May 27, 2011 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

My congrats to the Lightning as well. They played an outstanding season and an even more outstanding post-season. As a Penguins fan, it hurt to see the Pens lose to the Lightning and I admittedly thought in each round the Lightning would lose. The Lightning proved that they are a team to be reckoned with and have a very bright future ahead of them. I am very interested to see what kind of deal Stamkos gets as he really seems to be the new face of the franchise (even with that puck shot to the face). If Yzerman can get him signed for the right deal look out.

Congrats!

by xaryss on May 28, 2011 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Actually you're not the only one.

Here in Detroit I’m pretty much the only Bolts fan, so throughout the season my friends who follow hockey would always talk about how “your Lightning are actually doing pretty well”. I’d say “There is going to be growing pains, I expect them to lose in Round 1”, and when we drew the Penguins I thought, “They match up badly for us; they’re missing Crosby and Malkin but they have a veteran teeam and Fleury”. I was honestly surprised to see them come back and also felt that the Caps had turned a corner as well. Thought the same thing about Boston. Obviously I was right on one part…

It does help with your nerves when you expect to lose; the higher you get emotionally, the bigger the free fall is if you’re disappointed.

"You can't defense that!" -Gary Thorne, after Brian Roberts' go-ahead home run in the 8th inning of an O's game vs. TB

by SnipeShot on May 28, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I know that feeling exactly from the 2008 season where the Pens lost the first round of the playoffs the year before and then made it all the way to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Very disappointing indeed.

by xaryss on May 28, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

As a Caps fan, thanks for whipping our tail. Boucher was great this year. The Lightning are an average team that did will this year. Next year they take a step back. Enjoy the golf…Tampa can only get worse. Bye Bergenheim, bye goalies, and bye bye Gagne. Your core is 35 years old.

by SA-Town on May 28, 2011 12:15 AM EDT reply actions

Truly classy.

Try making the Conference Finals before running your yap.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on May 28, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Or as Torts once said it so well, “Shut yer yap!”

Dwayne Roloson: "You damn [insert team name here]! GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

by Tina Robinson on May 28, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I love how the Boston fans are jumping to our rescue here. :oD

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on May 28, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

LOL

"[The Lightning] are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves [the opposition] flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on May 28, 2011 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

We do what we can. :)

by 13_Legion on May 28, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Now you know what we have to live with in regards to Caps fans. :o\

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on May 28, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Try dealing with Canadiens and Leafs fans all the time…

by BobbyOrrsBastard on May 28, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Then we can share the Canadiens fans… we catch a lot of grief from them as well, mostly because we still have Vinny and they hate that. There are those Caps fans, though, that are totally insufferable (some of them, not all)…. after all, THEY have Ovechkin (whoopee).

Dwayne Roloson: "You damn [insert team name here]! GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

by Tina Robinson on May 29, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I noticed the same thing. :)

And thank you very much.

Dwayne Roloson: "You damn [insert team name here]! GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

by Tina Robinson on May 29, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Really?? after being taken out by the bolts you try to talk smack?? really??

by beachguy113 on May 28, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Most Caps fan I've seen from Japers have been classy and I really enjoy their stuff

You are the exception to the rule. Your comment doesn’t accomplish anything, unless an accomplishment is to make yourself look like an ass.

"You can't defense that!" -Gary Thorne, after Brian Roberts' go-ahead home run in the 8th inning of an O's game vs. TB

by SnipeShot on May 28, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed…over at SCOC Rockin Red visits frequently and is more than welcome but the above comments are not needed and are more of a waste of time for us all….I wish I had the 15 seconds of my life back that it took me to read and respond..what a waste!!

by beachguy113 on May 28, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

How many years in a row of failure is that for you guys?

Must be hard, no doubt.

by 13_Legion on May 28, 2011 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

It was a wonderful season for you guys. You all exceeded expectations by a country mile. Going from worst in the division to strong contender in just one year.

I would be annoyed at losing 1-0 in the last game as well.

Here I am, a fan of your arch-rivals who you knocked out. But I thank you for knocking the Penguins out of the post season.

Yes, I’m envious on behalf of my own team who have trouble making it past Round 2.

Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.

by CapsFan75 on May 28, 2011 8:30 AM EDT reply actions

thank you bolts fans for an engaging series. better luck next year.

by SUPKEM on May 28, 2011 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

To My Raw Charge friends

not too shabby for a team that wasn’t supposed to make it out of the first round

I hold my head up as a Lightning fan, the turn around was impressive. This was a “deep run”, and I have a feeling this team will be a factor for years going forward, and a real hockey tradition will flourish down here.

(I’m not saying there isn’t “a real hockey tradition” in Tampa Bay already – but that it’s going to take off with a few more runs like this in the coming years)

There’s no reason to think this is a fluke. This is the direction of this team.

To the Bruins fans – you guys have a great team. Good luck in the finals.

See you guys periodically over the off season!

by tampa_edski on May 28, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

Sucks to lose

but I’m very proud of these guys. They exceeded everyone’s expectations, including my own. Fantastic season boys! You all will be even better next year!

Sons of Plunder

by Gatorbuc15 on May 28, 2011 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Really tough game to lose last night

and the key that I thought going in – which team would get the second goal of the game – never materialized.

With the quality of the Bruins as a team and the Lightning’s lack of success historically in Boston, my head definitely favored Boston in a long, 6-7 game series coming in. That said, with the way the Lightning lit up TT in four of the games in this series (honestly, Game 2 is going to be the one that sticks here – the Lightning scored five goals at the Garden and lost, a major missed opportunity), I had full confidence that they could get it done here.

I’m not right that often. I was right in that I picked a Vancouver/Boston Final heading into the playoffs about 7 weeks ago.

Damn I hate being right…

by FloridaownsFSU on May 28, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

All of this said, this was obviously the second most successful season in team history (take that as an indicator of the poor franchise success of this team, if you want), and this came on the heels of losing 51, 58, and 48 games the last three years. In many ways, that actually made last night hurt more, in that this rotten franchise the previous three years was on the cusp of playing for the Cup!

But after a few minutes of exasperation, the accomplishments of this team were certainly realized in a final scope. I have a few concerns heading into next year (Goaltending and will Marty begin to decline a bit at his age), but I’ll worry about them later. What a tremendous season this team had, and with the stability in the ownership, front office, and at ice level, the seeds are in place for long-term success.

All that said, go ‘Nucks. I respect the hell out of the Bruins, but at the end of the day, they’re still a Boston team. And it takes a whole hell of a lot to get me to be pro-Boston in any sports matchup. Like Celtics-Heat, then I’m pro-Boston. I look forward to the AL East battles the next few months.

by FloridaownsFSU on May 28, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions