Brad Richards makes overtime winner as New York Rangers edge Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 -NHL Update
Former Dallas Stars superstar, Brad Richards, made the decided shot in overtime Thursday night, February 9, 2012, leading the New York Rangers to a victory over Tampa Bay Lightning, at the sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
Tampa Bay was entered the third period with confidence as they scored two straight, taking the lead 3-2, but a equaliser by Brian Boyle gave New York the boost they needed to win in the overtime extension.
Making a major contribution has always been what Brad Richards does best, but halfway through this season, he seemed to have cooled off a bit, bringing massive criticism his way.
"It felt good," said Richards who made his 17th goal of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season. "Maybe now you guys can stop talking about it."
For New York Rangers head coach, John Tortorella, a player who has joined another team after spending many seasons with one, allowing him time to adjust is only natural.
"I think he's playing better defensively," Tortorella said. "It's a bit of an adjustment to him, how much concentration we do have defensively here. He'll get through it. Don't give up on that guy."
Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos picked up the first of the night for his 36th of the year with less than two minutes remaining in the first.
New York countered back with two straight in the second period as captain, Ryan Callahan, added the power play goal as Lightning’s, Ryan Shannon, was called for hooking, followed by Derek Stepan with the tie-breaker less than a minute later.
Lightning captain, Vincent Lecavalier, brought Tampa Bay right back with his 21st of the season while Bruno Gervais made a power play goal of their own to take the lead.
"I think it's a mindset," Tortorella said. "I think if you have some success, and we have that success in the third period, you try to go back on that to make yourself feel good.”
New York Rangers have the next against their archrivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, on Saturday while Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing Buffalo Sabres the same day.
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