The hockey players of Vancouver, with Filip Hronk in the lineup, won on the ice of Nashville with a goal in the 59th minute 1:0, won the series 4:2 and advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas defeated Dallas 2-0 at home to force a decisive Game 7.
Vancouver won all three games in Nashville, each time by a goal.
Friday’s duel was decided by an action 99 seconds before the end of the third period: Brock Boeser selflessly sent the puck from the rear guard with a backhand into the area in front of the goal, and Pius Suter finished promptly. Hronek, who did not score in the series, was also on the ice at the goal.
“I was close enough to poke the pass with a hockey stick. Then I tried to stretch the concrete against the shot and again it was not close. But it was these small differences that made the decision,” said Nashville goalkeeper Juuse Saros about the winning action. Hronek, who did not score in the series, was also on the ice at the goal.
The last four games ended with a difference of one goal, Vancouver won three. “A lot of games could have gone the other way. They fought, they can be proud of themselves. We were lucky to move on. It wasn’t easy at all,” said Canucks key defender Quinn Hughes.
Arturs Šilovs, who has been in goal since Game 4 of the series after Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith were injured, is the unexpected starter.
The Latvian goalkeeper has minimal experience with the NHL. So far, he has caught only nine games in the regular season and added three more in this year’s playoffs. In the last match, he stopped 28 shots and recorded the first clean sheet in his career in the competition.
“I took it as a challenge. I was already catching important matches. I felt at ease. I knew what awaited me. It was a big opportunity and I tried to seize it,” said Šilovs. “Crazy scenario. But he persevered even in these difficult circumstances and helped us with important saves at the right moment,” praised Vancouver forward JT Miller.
The coach of the Canadian club, Rick Tocchet, added that such stories are written by the struggle for the Stanley Cup. He pointed out that even though the twenty-three-year-old Latvian was only the third goalkeeper, he was conscientiously preparing. “We trusted him,” the coach said. His charges will face Edmonton in the Western Conference semifinals.
In Vegas, too, there was a long wait for the opening goal. He fell in the 50th minute after an individual action by defender Noah Hanifin, who made a breakthrough with a shot from the right circle. Mark Stone secured the win with Dallas playing without a goaltender. Adin Hill picked up the clean sheet. “You need big saves in big games,” Hill said. “That’s how you win the playoffs. That’s what we learned last year. In order for someone to win, their goalkeeper had to be in shape,” he pointed out.
The Vegas team took a 2-0 lead in the series, but lost the next three games and was fighting for an extension on Friday. “It’s a very even series. Neither team has any space. They’re great and they play great defense just like us. I’m glad we managed to get one goal. And I liked that we went after it and that we they didn’t withdraw and wait,” Hanifin stated.
Tomáš Hertl, who only scored in the opening game of the series (1+0), was also happy about Vegas’ victory.
NHL Playoff Round 1:
Western Conference – 6th Matches:
Nashville – Vancouver 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Goal: 59. P. Suter. Shots on goal: 28:29. Spectators: 17,682. Stars of the match: 1. Šilovs, 2. P. Suter, 3. Boeser (all Vancouver). Final state of the series: 2:4.
Vegas – Dallas 2:0 (0:0, 0:0, 2:0)
Goals: 50. Hanifin, 60. Stone. Shots on goal: 30:23. Spectators: 18,432. Stars of the game: 1. Hanifin, 2. Hill, 3. Stone (all Vegas). Series standings: 3:3.
