Tonight the Bolts will take their third crack at winning their series with the Canadiens and move onto the Eastern Conference Finals. This will be the 17th time one of my teams (Lightning, Magic, Red Sox) will play a game six and my 3 teams are a very impressive 12-4 record in those previous sixteen game 6's. In honor of the big game tonight I thought I'd count down the top five moments in game sixes from my teams.
5. 2013 World Series: Shane Victorinos bases clearing double.
the Red Sox headed into game six with a 3-2 lead looking to win their 3rd world series in ten years, but their first at Fenway in 95 years. A scoreless game early Victorino stepped up with the bases loaded and hit a double off the wall to blow open an early 3-0 lead for the Sox. In a low scoring series a 3-0 appeared to maybe be all the Sox would need and it would prove to be as the Sox ended up winning 6-2 to clinch the world series.
4. 2003 First Round: Martin St Louis Triple OT gives Bolts first series win in Franchise history.
The 2003 playoffs was just the 2nd time in Franchise history the Lightning made the playoffs, and the first time they had home ice advantage. The series began disastrously however, as the Caps won the first two games in Tampa. The Lightning responded by winning the next two in Washington, then took a 3-2 series lead back home. Game six would go to Triple OT before St Louis finally roofed one past goalie Olaf Kolzig to give the Lightning their first series win in team history. They would lose in the second round to the eventual cup champion devils and the next year of course would go on to win the cup themselves.
3. 2009 Eastern Conference Finals: Magic drub Cavs to move onto NBA Finals
The Magic were huge underdogs going into this series against Lebron James and the cavs, but thanks to a string of close wins had a chance to win the series in game six on home court. The game was a blowout from start to finish, as the Magic won by a final score of 103-87, advancing to their second NBA finals in franchise hitory.
2. 2013 ALCS: Victorinos Grand Slam
The Red Sox had a 3-2 lead on the Tigers looking to advance to the World series but trailed Game Six 2-1 in the seventh inning. The Sox loaded the bases and up to the plate went Victorino, who pounded one over the green monster sending fenway into pandemonium. Victorino pounding his chest and jumping up and down like a little kid as he ran the bases is one of those iconic moments that make being a sports fan so much fun.
1. 2004 Stanley Cup Finals: St Louis Double OT Goal forces a game seven.
After a soul crushing loss in game five the Lightning would need to go into Calgary and win a game six to keep the series alive, a very tall task. in a crazy game St Louis finally ended it 33 seconds into Double overtime to force a game seven, which the Lightning won 2-1 to win the Stanley Cup. The best game six moment of my life.
