Game one of the Stanley Cup Finals is in the books. A lead by the Tampa Bay Lightning vanished in the dying moments of the third period, thanks to Teuvo Teravainen and Antoine Vermette. Chicago scored two goals in less than two minutes. Those two crucial goals, gave the Hawks a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, and a 1-0 series lead.
The first period, once again, saw Tampa Bay take an early lead about four and a half minutes into it. Alex Killorn swatted down a flying puck, while facing away from goal. That important first goal, which was Killorn's eighth of the playoffs, stood strong for Tampa Bay to keep the momentum throughout the first period. With about 11:57 left in the first period, Nikita Kucherov had an easy chance to put his side up 2-0. But his shot from the side glanced of the side of the net, and back towards the glass.
Chicago had a series of chances during one portion of the first period. While on the attack, Chicago took multiple shots on Bolts' goalie Ben Bishop. But the Lightning defense was there to block all 4 attempts and were able to steer the puck out long, which started a three-on-two counter attack. After a pad save by Corey Crawford, Tampa Bay kept shooting and Crawford was eventually able to dive onto the puck and make the save.
As the period neared the end, Jonathan Toews had an opportunity to tie the game at one, but fanned on the pass from teammate Patrick Kane.
The second period saw very little action, and no scoring. A couple of key saves by Bishop kept the Lightning lead at 1-0, and a couple of incredible saves by Corey Crawford kept the Hawks in the game down by one goal.
As we entered the third period, the Chicago Blackhawks needed to score at least one to send it into overtime. Well, they got it. Plus one more. Teuvo Teravanien gave the Hawks an equalizer after scoring a rocket from the point while Bishop was being screened, unable to see the puck. That knotted the score at one. Just a minute later, Antoine Vermette controlled a bouncing puck in his own offensive zone, and wristed a shot high glove side on Ben Bishop. That gave the Hawks their first lead of the game, and eventually, the game itself.
Chicago almost had a third with less than 30 seconds left while Ben Bishop was pulled for the extra attacker.
At the final horn, the Hawks took game one on the road by a score of 2-1.
Game two of the Stanley Cup Finals will be played Saturday, June 6th at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida, before shifting the series to the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.