Washington Capitals catch up in final moments, lose to Tampa Bay Lightning in shootout -NHL Update
Washington Capitals made a miraculous comeback against Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night, at the sold-out Verizon Centre in Washington, District of Columbia, and won the match, 6-5, in a heated shootout.
Capitals played their second home game against Tampa Bay coming out of an overtime win against Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, which signals a need to build up a lead and maintaining it early and throughout future contests.
Tampa Bay goalie, Dwayne Roloson remained steadfast in the net but finally gave up in the final moments as Washington outshot their counterparts, 43-28, something which makes Capitals veteran goalie, Tomas Vokoun feel awful about not stopping them all.
"It's been a long, long time since I feel as bad as I feel today", Vokoun said. "I should have lost -- hands down -- 99 out of 100 games -- and I won it".
Lightning got off quick to score as Teddy Purcell potted his first, 2:22 into the first period. Washington’s Marcus Johansson quickly followed nearly two minutes later along with another by Tampa Bay’s, Bruno Gervais and lastly to level it again, Dennis Wideman with his first.
Dominic Moore scored the tie-breaker 56 seconds into the second period but Washington kept on splashing water as soon as their momentum started to build with Troy Brouwer equalised the score to end the period, 3-3.
Jason Chimera gave Capitals a breakthrough by scoring at the 4:00 mark in the final period but Tampa Bay’s Nate Thompson and Brett Clark fired off one of their own to take the lead with seven minutes remaining.
Chimera came out again strong by scoring his third of the season unassisted on a breakaway after a turnover, forcing overtime with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
"We know we've got all the skill in the world", Chimera said. "Everyone knows that. You've got to put the work boots on some nights. That's what counts".
Both teams had three attempts during the shootout after a fruitless overtime extension, but it was Washington’s Matt Hendricks and Alexander Semin who scored on the teams two chances to take the match.
Capitals will play their first away game of the season against Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, October 13, while Tampa Bay prepares to fight New York Islanders on the same day.
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