Usually for these teams the role of the first violin is played by the attackers – both of them not only score a lot, but also allow their opponents to threaten their goal. However, in this match, the goalkeepers became the main characters. On November 20, Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevsky returned to the ice. The 29-year-old Russian underwent neck surgery this summer and spent a long time recovering from it. In the match against the Penguins, he took his place in goal for the third time this season, gradually gaining form. His counterpart was Tristan Jerry. The 28-year-old Canadian has firmly taken his place in goal for the Penguins this season and has already recorded three clean sheets to his name.
The first period was left to Tampa. From the first break, the hosts led 2:0 and their main scorer Nikita Kucherov assisted his partners in both goals. This will help the 30-year-old Russian strengthen his advantage in the NHL scoring race. In 23 matches, Kucherov scored 39 (15+24) points using the goal+pass system.
But the next 20 seconds changed everything. At this point in the game, the initiative passed entirely to Pittsburgh. The result was two goals for the Penguins. The comeback was started by Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby, who scored on a pass from Jake Guentzel. And 36 seconds before the end of the second period, Drew O’Connor scored with a precise shot. At that time, one of the authors of the program was the Russian Evgeniy Malkin.
Having gained a psychological advantage, Pittsburgh managed to put pressure on the hosts in the third period and achieve such an important victory for themselves. Interestingly, some unexpected heroes contributed to this outcome. At first, Walilewski was upset with Jeff Carter. The 38-year-old Canadian, who previously shone for the Los Angeles Kings, not only led his team forward, but also scored his first goal this season. He did so early in the third period, after which Tampa pinned Pittsburgh against its goal. But here, Tristan Jerry had his say. Not only did he stop an avalanche of shots on his own goal, including 2 minutes of shorthanded play, but he also made history. Late in the game, Tampa went all-in, replacing Vasilevsky with a sixth outfielder. Jerry took advantage and hit the Lightning’s empty goal.
Tristan became the 14th goaltender in NHL history and the first in Pittsburgh history to score a goal in a regular season game. Previously, Martin Brodo (three times!), Ron Hekstol (twice), as well as a number of goalkeepers, including a Russian, Evgeni Nabokov, had achieved this.
It is also important that Tristan not only scored a goal, but also managed to save 39 shots against his own goal. The Canadian helped Pittsburgh snatch victory from Tampa, becoming its main creator.
“It was kind of the ideal scenario.” Tampa players shot the puck straight on the stick, and I didn’t even have to process it. In the end, I threw it right away and the puck landed right in the pocket.
This doesn’t happen very often. Very few people have done it before me. So it’s actually pretty cool.– this is how the hero of the evening commented on the moment with his goal.
As a result, Jerry was recognized as the first star of not only the game, but the entire game day. He helped Pittsburgh move one victory closer to the playoff zone. It’s very surprising that it’s goaltending, with Malkin, Crosby, Karlsson and Letang alive and healthy, that is the main driver of the Penguins’ success. But Tampa suffered a third consecutive defeat. John Cooper’s team now sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and is clearly unhappy with this development of events.
Nikita Serbakov, Athletistic
Source: Sport
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
