Into the second, the goals came fast and furious. The Blues took an early lead in the period when Patrik Berglund beat Lightning goaltenderDan Ellis on a long wrist shot to tie the game at one. Dominic Moore answered right back with his ninth goal of the year to give the Bolts a short lived 2-1 lead. The Blues answered with goals from David Backes and Nikita Nikitin to take a 3-2 lead. The Lightning evened the score back up 30 seconds after the Nikitin goal when Steve Downie took a behind-the-back pass from Stamkos and beat Conklin tie it at three..
Into the third, the Lightning got an early power play but were unable to convert for the go-ahead goal. The game remained tied through the third period, sending the game into the overtime.
In a spirited OT period, after both teams exchanged great chances, Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier turned out to be the hero. After a shot by Marc-Andre Bergeron was blocked, Lecavalier, who was parked in front of the net, got to the rebound and beat Conklin to give the Lightning a 4-3 overtime victory.
The feel good story of the game had to be Bergeron, playing in his first game in a Lightning jersey, getting two assists including one on the game winning goal.
"I feel pretty good," Bergeron said. "I am not overly tired. It was a late start for me [this year]. It's just about picking up the pace. Early in the game today, it was obviously going fast for me. I'm just trying to keep it simple. I just need some games and then everything will settle back to where it normally is."
If that is where Bergeron is without his timing, then it is great news for the Lightning, as Bergeron had a solid game all the way around. He was in position all night and contributed on the scoreboard, something that could become a big story for the Lightning down the stretch.
For head coach Guy Boucher, tonight was about putting on a good show for the fans that made their way out on a day where football is king.
"I am so impressed," Boucher said. "It really touched us today to have all these people here. I honestly thought there would be no one here today and everyone expected that. When I came out at the beginning of the game, it wasn't full, but to me that was as good as full. There is a Superbowl going on, and that is amazing. The organization, me personally, the players, we want to thank the crowd."
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