Tampa Bay Lightning F Alex Killorn Scores Game-Winning Goal In Game 5 (Video)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn scored the game-winning goal late in the third period of Game 5 to eliminate the Detroit Red Wings and move on to the next round.

The Tampa Bay Lightning definitely did not play the perfect game against the Detroit Red Wings tonight. Despite their pitfalls, the Tampa Bay Lightning found a way to get the job done when it was most important and unceremoniously eliminate the Detroit Red Wings and move onto the next round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This came in no small part to the terrific play of Ben Bishop and the killer shot of Alex Killorn.

Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings came into the Amalie Arena with the same thing on their minds, fight for the puck, score goals, and win the game. Unfortunately, for much of the game, Tampa Bay Lightning fans would find themselves screaming at the ice and pulling out their hair as a series of miscues would render the Lightning scoreless in the first two periods of play.

When the Tampa Bay Lightning hit the ice for the third period of play, the Tampa Bay Lightning seemed to have much more energy in their stride. Unfortunately, Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek would continue to shut down the Tampa Bay Lightning at every single turn. As much as the fans were frustrated, imagine what was going through the minds of the players on the ice.

As time continued to tick off the clock, Tampa Bay Lightning fans slowly made their way to the edges of their seats. Would the Tampa Bay Lightning be able to bring the win home in the final minutes of the game or would this heart attack-inducing game be forced into overtime? With just 1:43 seconds left in the game, Tampa Bay Lightning fans would get their answer.

Tampa Bay Lightning alternate captain Ryan Callahan would get ahold of the puck in the defensive zone and speed through the neutral zone and deep into the offensive zone. Thanks to pressure from the Detroit Red Wings, Callahan would be forced to play the puck behind the net. Pressured by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, Callahan would now be forced to pass the puck.

Then…it happened. Perfectly positioned in front of the net, Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn would get his stick on the puck and send it flying past Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek and into the back of the net. As the goal horn sounded, Tampa Bay Lightning fans blew the roof off the Amalie Arena. Now, the Tampa Bay Lightning would have to hold on for just over a minute and a half to face their destiny.

The goal from Alex Killorn would serve as the lone goal of the night, and Ben Bishop would earn his first postseason shutout this season to eliminate the Detroit Red Wings and move on to the next round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs to face off with either the New York Islanders or the Florida Panthers.

Next: Lightning Come Alive In 3rd Period To Eliminate Red Wings

After tonight’s win, the Tampa Bay Lightning will have a couple of games to rest before having to get ready to take on the Panthers or the Isles. The series between the Panthers and the Isles is currently tied at two games apiece, which gives the Lightning time to recoup a little and make sure as many players as possible are healed up and ready to lead the charge in the next round.