“Hard for me” – Lightning coach Jon Cooper questions Avalanche center Nazem Kadri’s OT win in Stanley Cup Final
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Jon Cooper and Nazem Kadri after Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final 2022
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper held a news conference after the Stanley Cup Final Game 4 loss on Wednesday night during which he questioned the legality of the OT-winning goal made by the Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri. Kadri’s 12:02 OT goal seemed to have put off the Lightning coach, as the Avalanche gained a 3-1 lead in the series.
Jon Cooper commented, “This one is going to sting much more than others, just because it was taking on … it was potentially … I don’t know … it’s hard for me. It’s going to be hard for me to speak. I’m going to have to speak. I’ll speak with you tomorrow”. “You’re going to see what I mean when you see the winning goal. And my heart breaks for the players. Because we probably still should be playing.” He left the press conference after his short and tense speech.
The Lightning thought that the Avalanche had six skaters on the ice before the OT goal was scored for the 3-2 win. Following the situation, the NHL Hockey Operations said that “Following the game, Hockey Operations met with the four officials as is their normal protocol. In discussing the winning goal, each of the four officials advised that they did not see too many men on the ice situation on the play.” Kadri seemed confused about Cooper’s speculation after the game.
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Nazem Kadri scores the winning goal at OT 12:02
As far as the Colorado Avalanche is concerned, they need one more win to hoist the Stanley Cup. No matter how Cooper reacted after Kadri’s overtime goal, it is sure to go down in legend. Nazem Kadri shot one goal with the puck at the backhand in the right circle with Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev when he pulled off a move that Avalanche coach, Jared Bednar described as “not a ton of guys can make”.
Kadri shot the puck right in between the right arm and body of Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. The puck hit the roof of the net where silence prevailed for a few seconds till it was celebrated as the OT-winning goal at 12:02. Though Lightning coach Jared Bednar dismissed the winning goal he didn’t provide details and left the press conference soon. The two-time defending champions faced elimination at Game 5, Ball Arena on Friday.
According to nhl.com, Kadri said, “I was trying to go far side”. “I knew I got a pretty good shot off and might have had a chance. Actually thought it was in originally, but then Vasilevskiy kind of fooled me there, and I thought it may be pinned between his arm. He was kind of swimming in the crease, and I thought he might have had it, so it was certainly a few seconds of confusion there.
“And then I just saw everybody kind of bull rush the ice, and that’s when I knew it was confirmed.”Nazem Kadri noted in response to Cooper’s allegations, “I’m not quite sure what he’s thinking, why it shouldn’t have counted”. “I mean, that kind of confuses me a little bit. You know, the puck hit the back of the net. End of story. I’m not sure why he’d say that.” Avalanche captain, Gabriel Landeskog stated, “Can’t make that stuff up,” Landeskog said. “I mean, ‘Naz’ comes up big in overtime, and it’s great to see.”
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Kaushani Chatterjee
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