Match named after Bobrovsky: 36 saves of the Russian goalkeeper helped Columbus to defeat Boston in the playoffs

The confrontation "Columbus Blue Jackets" and "Boston Bruins" moved to the city, which these days can be considered the hockey capital of the world. Perhaps nowhere so crazy for this game, as in Columbus. Spectators fill the “National Arena” at every game of the Stanley Cup in the hope of hearing the shots of a real old cannon again - this is exactly how the goals that make up John Tortorella wards are marked.

In the third match of the second round, a surprise was waiting for the participants - T-shirts with a quote from Columbus general manager Jarmo Käkäläinen were spread out on all seats, “Victory in the first round is not our goal.” Not at all spoiled by the long season in the Stanley Cup, viewers received a powerful call to support their players even louder so that they remember even in the locker rooms who they play for.

Hot support from the audience did its job. The Boston hockey players were very much charged to fight and to win the key third game, on which the further fate of the series often depends. The guests, although they showed active attacking hockey, were forced to make sure that their goalkeeper Tuukka Rask was not left without support. Particularly closely, the Boston team followed Artemy Panarin's troika, which caused a lot of trouble in past matches. This time the Russian has failed to prove himself.

In the middle of the period it seemed that the account was about to be opened by the efforts of “Boston”. Columbus captain Nick Foligno grabbed the removal, but it was never implemented. After this local success, his partners went on the offensive and were able to distinguish themselves before the break. Boone Jenner slipped into the center of a foreign zone, deftly beat defender Connor Clifton and hit the gates of Rusk.

Sergey Bobrovsky completed the starting 20-minute with 12 reflected throws. Very much in this match depended on how reliably he would defend his possessions. But before “Boston” with a new force hit the Russian goalkeeper, his team managed to double the advantage.

At the 31st minute, Jenner earned himself the removal of Brad Marchand, who is always easy to provoke for any violation. “Boston” almost stood in those two minutes, during which Rask reflected four shots, and his partners blocked the puck as many times. But in seven seconds, the brigade of the majority with Panarin in the composition nevertheless achieved it. Matt Dushein pushed the puck from the patch and shared with the Russian striker the title of the best scorer of the team in the playoffs.

YOU KNOW HIS NAME, IT'S MATT DUCHENE! pic.twitter.com/3yxuH5js4d

“Boston” did not intend to surrender, and when the score was 0-2, he played with triple strength. For Bobrovsky it's time to show their skills. After a wonderful acrobatic saves, Columbus players could be sure that the goalkeeper would not let them down. Even when the guests still played one puck 40 seconds before the end of the second period, there was no cause for concern.

This goal was quite contradictory. Players “Boston” pounced on the opponent's gate, and the puck was lost sight of. The judges blew the whistle, after which they found it in the “Columbus” grid. According to the results of the video replay, the goal was still counted. The puck managed to cross the goal line before the whistle without any violations and hindrances for Bobrovsky.

GOOD GOAL! Jake DeBrusk gets the B's on the board! # NHLBruinspic.twitter.com / apJ9qKKnLg

In the third period, “Boston” continued to exert crazy pressure and got a great chance to level the score thanks to the removal of David Savard. But the Columbus player John Anderson was able to immediately run into the attack in the minority and forced the opponent to stop himself with a violation. However, even without this spoiled majority, Bobrovsky had to work hard, especially after Rusk left for the bench.

The Russian goalkeeper reflected 15 shots in 20 minutes and never missed. In total, he made 36 saves and was recognized as the best player of the match. “Columbus” won with a score of 2: 1 and with the same indicator now leads the series before another home match. Bobrovsky noted that in this result there is a merit of the fans.

“We had incredible fan support. The atmosphere was crazy. It was fun to play like that, it’s a huge win for us, ”said the goalkeeper.

On May 2, when the next Stanley Cup match between the two teams takes place, Russian fans will expect defender Vladislav Gavrikov to enjoy the amazing atmosphere at the National Arena. But while his team is playing so successfully that Tortorella hardly decides to change the composition without serious reasons.