Controversial Overtime Call Overshadows Bruins’ Shootout Loss to Lightning in Stadium Series Thriller
Sunday night’s Stadium Series showdown between the Bruins and Lightning had all the makings of an instant classic-offense, drama, momentum swings, and a finish that left fans buzzing. But for Boston, the biggest storyline wasn’t the 6-5 shootout loss-it was the overtime goal that wasn’t.
With the game tied in the extra frame, David Pastrnak thought he had sealed it. A turnover led to a two-on-one, the puck hit the back of the net, and the Bruins were ready to celebrate. But instead of a game-winner, the officials waved off the goal and assessed a penalty on Pastrnak-sending him to the box and swinging the momentum squarely back to Tampa Bay.
After the game, Pastrnak didn’t hold back.
“I have no clue what happened, honestly,” he said. “It’s a freaking turnover; we get a two-on-one.
The referee has the arm up. He’s letting it go.
Swayman is going to the bench. We finish the score-a goal-and all of a sudden, I’m in the penalty box.
Joke. I don’t understand.”
It was a rare moment of raw frustration from one of the league’s most composed stars. And given the stakes-a potential overtime winner in a nationally spotlighted outdoor game-it’s not hard to see why.
“I’ve never seen something like that,” Pastrnak continued. “To me, it was a joke.
I don’t care if it’s a bad answer, but that’s how I feel. It’s weird.
Score a goal and end up in the penalty box... but whatever. We gave them two points and that’s what matters.
Tough on us.”
Despite the controversy, Pastrnak still made his presence felt on the scoresheet, tallying an assist to bring his season total to 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) in 51 games. He’s been the engine of Boston’s offense all year, and that didn’t change under the lights at Raymond James Stadium.
A Wild Ride From Start to Finish
The game itself was a rollercoaster.
Tampa Bay wasted no time getting on the board-Brandon Hagel scored just 11 seconds into the first period, setting the tone early. But Boston responded.
Alex Steeves tied it up midway through the first, and Morgan Geekie gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Viktor Arvidsson’s power-play goal pulled Tampa even, but Boston wasn’t done.
The Bruins exploded early in the second, with Matthew Poitras and Geekie again stretching the lead to 5-1 by the 8:18 mark. At that point, it looked like Boston might cruise.
But the Lightning had other plans.
Oliver Bjorkstrand sparked the comeback with a power-play goal to make it 5-2. Darren Raddysh and Nick Paul each added power-play tallies of their own, and suddenly it was a one-goal game heading into the third.
Then, with just under nine minutes to play in regulation, Nikita Kucherov did what stars do-he tied it up at 5-5, completing the comeback and setting the stage for a chaotic overtime and eventual shootout.
Shootout Seals It for Tampa
After the controversial call on Pastrnak and a scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout. Tampa Bay capitalized on the momentum swing and closed the deal, sending Boston home with a loss that’s going to sting-not just because of the result, but because of how it unfolded.
For the Bruins, this one will be tough to swallow. They had a three-goal lead, a potential OT winner, and still came away empty-handed. But in a long season, games like this can either derail momentum or galvanize a group.
As for Pastrnak, his fire postgame shows just how much this one meant. He’s been a leader by example all season. Now, he’s showing the emotional edge that championship teams often rally around.
The Bruins will have to regroup quickly, but make no mistake: this game-and that call-will be remembered.