NHL Notebook 7/6: Montreal Forces Game Five; Hockey World Mourns Matiss Kivlenieks

There will be a game five.

The Montreal Canadiens avoided becoming the 21st team to be swept in the Stanley Cup Final when Josh Anderson’s goal just minutes into overtime clinched the win for the Habs. The series will now shift to Tampa where the Lightning will have a chance to clinch on home ice just months after their NFL counterpart, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, won the Super Bowl at home in The Bay.

There will be a game five.

Josh Anderson wins it for the #GoHabsGo in overtime. @FP_Coverage #StanleyCup #StanleyCupFinal

(🎥: @NHL)
pic.twitter.com/aSAXnvwnO5

— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) July 6, 2021

Could this be the start of a run for the Canadiens? Perhaps. They did hold a lead (prior to overtime) for the first time this entire series. A potential momentum-building block. In addition, a huge double minor in the final minute of regulation gave the Lightning the man advantage heading into overtime but the Canadiens stimied the Bolts power play, largely due to the play of Carey Price.

Game five is set for Wednesday in Tampa. Weather permitting.

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Hockey World Mourns  

Most of us woke up to the news of the tragic passing of 24-year-old Matiss Kivlenieks. Kivlenieks, a goalie in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, reportedly died of chest trauma following a tragic fireworks accident. The Riga, Latvia native started six games over the course of the last two seasons going 2-2-2.

“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Matiss Kivlenieks, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his mother, Astrida, his family and friends during this devastating time,” said Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson. “Kivi was an outstanding young man who greeted every day and everyone with a smile and the impact he had during his four years with our organization will not be forgotten.”

Game four of the Stanley Cup Final began with a moment and the hockey world offered many tributes to the young netminder.

Being a reporter and trying to process this news while pounding the pavement for facts and tributes is the toughest thing I’ve ever done.

Matiss was a great guy and I am so blessed to have covered him. But my heart is aching.

— Elaine Shircliff (@imaraindancer) July 5, 2021

Nick Bjugstad Re-Ups With Minnesota

Heading into free agency in just a few weeks, the former first-round pick of the Florida Panthers decided to bypass the event and return to the Wild on a one-year, $900,000 deal. Bjugstad scored six goals and added 11 assists in 44 games with both the Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins who traded him to Minnesota in September.

Bjugstad spent the first six and half seasons of his career with the Florida Panthers before a brief 64-game stint across two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.