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Tim Thomas Save On Steve Downie: Bruins Goalie Makes Incredible Stick Save Against Lightning (VIDEO)


First Posted: 05/24/11 08:05 AM ET Updated: 05/24/11 08:05 AM ET

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Tim Thomas Save Video

Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas may have made the best save of the playoffs in Monday's Game 5 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In the middle of the third period with Boston clinging to a 2-1 lead, Tampa Bay's Eric Brewer got the puck in front of the blue line and noticed that Thomas was near the top of the crease. Brewer shot it wide of the net and teammate Steve Downie took it off the bounce. The Lightning winger had a wide open net on the left side, but Thomas dove and robbed Tampa Bay of a game-tying goal with an unbelievable stick save.

"With the way the new boards are nowadays in all the arenas, you've got to be on your toes for those big bounces. The big bounce came out," Thomas said after the game. "It was just a reaction and a desperation. And I'll admit I got a little bit lucky there."

Stephen Harris of BostonHerald.com called the play "one of the greatest saves ever made."

Scroll down to watch the highlight.

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Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas may have made the best save of the playoffs in Monday's Game 5 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the middle of the third period with Boston clinging to a 2-1...
Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas may have made the best save of the playoffs in Monday's Game 5 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the middle of the third period with Boston clinging to a 2-1...
 
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jefe
15 hours ago (11:11 PM)
Ok save from a ok goalie, 4th game this series he's given up 5 goals
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
J0E1
Your micro-bio is empty
06:24 PM on 5/24/2011
Since when is making a great save considered robbing someone of a goal?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Spartan112
SPARTANS!? What is your profession?
09:00 PM on 5/24/2011
It has always been so.
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OutAtFirst
03:06 PM on 5/24/2011
As a former goalie (soccer, not hockey) I hate it when someone says that a shooter got "robbed" because the goalie made a good save. Does the goalie get "robbed" of a save when the shot is placed just beyond his reach?
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Chico41
03:04 PM on 5/24/2011
Screw Thomas. It hit the post first, so it would've dropped in the crease and been cleared by Seidenberg anyway. I look forward to seeing what the Canucks are going to do to Grandpa Thomas in the finals.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Spartan112
SPARTANS!? What is your profession?
03:27 PM on 5/24/2011
You're blind enough to wear black and white stripes.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Chico41
03:43 PM on 5/24/2011
I don't know if you noticed, but there's a video that accompanie­s this story. It hits metal before hitting wood.
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Gigity
This space for rent.
04:17 PM on 5/24/2011
Maybe get your eyes checked. It hits wood then post. Hate on, hata.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Chico41
11:34 AM on 5/25/2011
That's funny, because it goes from left to right. Looks like the post is on the left to me.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Chico41
11:40 AM on 5/25/2011
You might also want to get your eyes checked, because it doesn't hit the post after coming off of his stick either.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
paddles
"pro" not "re" gressive
23 hours ago (2:50 PM)
So what-it was still a great save. All the hockey experts (unlike you) agree. What's the matter-did Timmy beat your team?
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Chico41
23 hours ago (3:10 PM)
My point is that it wasn't a save at all. Thomas could've been sitting on the bench and that shot wouldn't have gone in. However, If it was one inch to the right it would've gone in, and everyone would be saying Thomas was out of position and should've stopped it.

At this point it goes beyond hockey for me. Now I just want people to realize that everything isn't always as it seems at first, and sometimes you need to dig beneath the surface to find the truth. I doubt that anyone who agreed this was a good save has seen it more than once.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
paddles
"pro" not "re" gressive
22 hours ago (3:24 PM)
Bruins beat the Canucks in Vancouver in their only meeting this year. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
HarukoHaruhara
Kia Ora!
01:25 PM on 5/24/2011
Best save of the playoffs!
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-swift
My micro-bio is empty.
12:55 PM on 5/24/2011
The best part was that it wasn't just desperatio­n. Most goalies just fling their stick back and keep it on the ice, hoping the puck doesn't get lifted. He turned and picked that puck out of the air with the blade.
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Dewts
12:16 PM on 5/24/2011
great game last night. didn't start well for the B's, but definitely ended well. go timmy!
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Christopher Nicoll
God listens, to Slayer!
11:28 AM on 5/24/2011
I like Thomas, but I've been rooting for TB in this series. I still think Vancouver is winning the cup this year.
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Praetoria Cohors
Quaero verum
09:46 AM on 5/24/2011
Timmy Thomas kept the Bruins in game 5, no doubt about it. He definitely deserved First Star of the game. Watching him make saves like this is why so many love the guy. Always humble, and he can admit when luck triumphs over skill at times. In my opinion, he deserves to win the Vezina Trophy, hands down.

I thought Tampa Bay outplayed Boston for much of the game. But we will take the win, regardless­. These playoffs have been the best in years, and the Stanley Cup final is sure to be the same. Go Bruins!

Congrats Bruin Babe, only one more to close out the series. Let's hope the B's can get it done in one. Marchand recovered from a few bad give aways but scored the game winning goal. Just can't help loving the guy. Chara was a definite presence last night, and we need more of the same from him in game 6. And I predict Lucic will come alive for the next one, because he is due for a huge game. I just wish Savard could be a part of these playoffs, so let's hope he makes it back next year. Who knows, maybe Matt Cooke will do us all a favor and retire.
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HockeyGirl74
01:33 PM on 5/24/2011
Thanks PC. = )
Just gotta get that last one...alwa­ys the toughest one. Timmy saved the day for us. And I agree about Chara. Nice to see him in front of the net causing a big screen on Smith. I hope they can pull out a win tomorrow night. I am not sure I can take a game 7.
I hope your presiction is right...ju­st like last time. ;)
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HockeyGirl74
01:47 PM on 5/24/2011
*predictio­n = )
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dblan9
.
09:42 AM on 5/24/2011
I was standing in the kitchen watching the game and I turned and swore, certain a Tampa goal had occurred as Downie picked up the bounce. My wife asked what was the matter and as I turned around and saw them still playing, I had no idea what could possibly have happened. Great Save Thomas. Go Bruins!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Sad But True
Sorry to break it to you, but...
09:28 AM on 5/24/2011
Thomas was interviewe­d after the game and got a bit of a chuckle out of this save, stating that he got lucky. Always humble.

Let's go Bs! One more! (Okay, 5 more, but you get the picture)
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Praetoria Cohors
Quaero verum
09:51 AM on 5/24/2011
I think that is why Thomas is so popular, his humbleness­. That and he is having the season of his career. So fun to watch, and when everyone else on both teams seem stressed out and overly serious, the camera always seems to captures that big smile on his face. You know he just loves the game. He should win the Vezina this year for his attitude alone.
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dwill123
flexing the "golden pipes" on the day's issues
08:38 AM on 5/24/2011
It's almost June. Are they still playing hockey???
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
paddles
"pro" not "re" gressive
10:23 AM on 5/24/2011
It's almost June. Are they still playing basketball­?
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MCJanes
04:34 PM on 5/24/2011
It's 2011. Are you still annoying??­?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Spartan112
SPARTANS!? What is your profession?
08:33 AM on 5/24/2011
That has GOT to be the play of the day.
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Max Canning
08:40 AM on 5/24/2011
Play pf the day? Try play of the season. It preserved a 1-0 lead in a conference finals tied 2-2.
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paddles
"pro" not "re" gressive
08:21 AM on 5/24/2011
Timmy is the man...what a play and what a great guy. Go Bruins!!!!­!
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