Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper got his too-many-men penalty on Friday — and seemingly so much more.
With the Stanley Cup in the building and the Avalanche a Game 5 victory away from hoisting it, the Lightning received several favorable calls inside Ball Arena — including the aforementioned too-many-men infraction with 2:43 left in regulation that spoiled a chance at an extended rally for the Avs.
In all, Colorado was assessed five minor penalties and two of them cost the Avalanche dearly in Tampa Bay’s 3-2 victory to force Game 6 in Tampa on Sunday.
The Lightning, who complained about a too-man-men non-call on Colorado that led to the Avs’ overtime goal in Game 4, committed three penalties and the Avs were 0-for-2 on the power play.