History favors home team over hype in Game 7s

TAMPA, Fla. -- In Game 7 of a Stanley Cup finals, anything can happen. A winner emerges from the opportunistic bounce of a puck, a loser spends years replaying mistakes that occur in a millisecond yet alter the outcome of a nine-month season.

"It's hockey at its best," the Flames' Steve Montador said. "I think it's awesome. I think it's great."

At least that's the storyline portrayed before all final-round Game 7s, including Calgary at Tampa Bay on Monday night.

Usually, though, it's only a myth.

If history holds up, the Lightning not only forced Monday night's win-or-else game with their 3-2 double-overtime victory Saturday in Calgary, they effectively won the Stanley Cup.

Of the 10 Stanley Cup finals Game 7s since 1950 -- so long ago, even Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk wasn't playing yet -- nine were won by the home team. The 1971 Montreal Canadiens were the exception, winning Game 7 in Chicago to complete a comeback from a 3- 2 series deficit.

Overall, home teams are 10-2 in championship Game 7s, with the 1945 Toronto Maple Leafs being the only other road winners. The last four Game 7 winners -- the 2003 Devils, 2001 Avalanche, 1994 Rangers and 1987 Oilers -- all won at home.

Of course, home ice has meant almost nothing in this series, with both the Flames and Lightning going 1-2 in their arenas. Calgary won Game 5 in overtime Thursday in Tampa before the Lightning broke the hearts of thousands of Stanley Cup celebrants-in-waiting Saturday in Calgary by winning Game 6.

Still, in what may be the last NHL game for many months if a labor dispute disrupts or shuts down the 2004-05 season, there is no doubt the Lightning would rather be home.

"I hate it when you open a series at home but Game 7, that's when it gets to be your advantage," Lightning coach John Tortorella said Sunday. "It's a proper way to end this series, to play a Game 7."

The Flames' challenge is to shake off what possibly was the loss of a lifetime -- the blown opportunity to win the Cup at home Saturday -- and regain the confidence they took into Game 5 in Tampa.

They also need better games from their best players, nearly all of whom were outplayed by the Lightning's stars in Game 6. Brad Richards scored two goals, giving him 12 in 22 playoff games, and Martin St. Louis got the game-winner 33 seconds into the second overtime.

It won't help Calgary if Robyn Regehr, one of the league's best young defensemen, can't play because of a foot or ankle injury that occurred Saturday. The team did not disclose his status.

"It's not easy and it's not supposed to be easy," said Flames captain Jarome Iginla, who acknowledged not playing well Saturday. "This is tough stuff. It's emotional and it's exciting. A lot of us have played Game 7s in our minds growing up and now we get a chance to play it for real."

The Flames might not be playing at all if a deflection by Martin Gelinas that may have crossed the goal line midway through the third period had been ruled a goal. The NHL said after the game that replays were inconclusive.

While Calgary fans debated deep into the night whether the puck eluded goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and went across the goal line, as ABC's telecast suggested, Flames coach Darryl Sutter didn't argue.

"They (the league) have the same replays, six or seven views, that we have and it's deemed inconclusive or not conclusive," Sutter said Sunday. "That's fine. I understand that."

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