By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011
TAMPA — The referee believed Steve Downie embellished his fall after a hit into the boards by Bruins RW Nathan Horton late in the second period, calling the Lightning wing for diving.
But the resulting injury from Downie hitting his head on the glass — and on the ice — was serious enough for him to miss the rest of the game and leave his status going forward uncertain. Coach Guy Boucher would say only Downie is "day to day."
Downie was unavailable for comment.
On the play, which came with 2:35 left, Downie was checked into the boards behind the Bruins net by Horton, who was initially called for boarding (later changed to roughing). Downie was slow to get to the bench afterward and headed straight for the locker room.
Lightning LW Simon Gagne said he was surprised to see Downie called for diving but added Downie's reputation for getting into conflicts could have played a role.
"He's Steve Downie, so maybe it'd be a little different if it's me or somebody else," Gagne said. "It's part of his game. We don't want him to change it."
Boucher said he had never seen a call like that but praised the referees for how they've done in Tampa.
"If it's a mistake and the (referees) make only one during the entire game, they're like coaches and players if they limit their mistakes," Boucher said. "The referees have been great the past two games. They let the players play.
"It's not a cheap series."
MOVING ON: D Victor Hedman said he made a "bad play" on the turnover behind the net that led to Bruins C Patrice Bergeron's first goal but didn't let it get to him during the rest of the game.
"I tried to reverse (the puck), but I got a little handcuffed," Hedman said. "It was a bad play by me. I can't reverse it that close to the net. I had to reverse it further around the corner.
"Other than that, I felt good out there and felt good making plays. But you can't get down on yourself just because you do a mistake."
IN AND OUT: C Dana Tyrell returned after missing 10 games with a foot injury. Tyrell was excited to be back but said he had to labor through the flu during his 4 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time.
"I didn't have too good of a night; didn't sleep," he said. "I was getting IVs between every period. I'll feel better for the next game."
DEJA VU? The last time the Bruins blew a three-goal lead in the playoffs was Game 7 of last season's Eastern Conference semifinals. The Flyers, who already had overcome a 3-0 series deficit, overcame a 3-0 first-period deficit and won on a goal by Gagne, who also scored the winner Saturday.
MISCELLANY: After losing the faceoff battle the past two games, Tampa Bay won 60 percent (39 of 65) Saturday. Vinny Lecavalier won 14 of 21, Steven Stamkos 9 of 14 and Adam Hall 7 of 12. … Lecavalier and RW Marty St. Louis are tied with the Sharks' Joe Thornton for the playoff lead with 17 points. … With Tyrell back in the lineup, C Blair Jones was scratched.
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.
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