Anthony Cirelli a fitting hero for this Lightning moment

EDMONTON — Anthony Cirelli is building quite a collection of overtime hero moments in his hockey career.He scored in overtime as a 16-year-old rookie with the Oshawa Generals to win the junior Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup championship.In 2017, he scored in overtime in the Ontario Hockey League final to send the Erie Otters to the Memorial Cup tournament.On Thursday, the forward scored in overtime to clinch the Lightning a berth in the 2020 Stanley Cup final. The 23-year-old stands only 6 feet tall, but he has a history of coming up huge when his team needs him the most.“That was a hell of a play by (Barclay Goodrow) to fake the backhand and get (the puck) to me,” said the soft-spoken Cirelli after the Lightning’s 2-1 overtime victory for a 4-2 series win over the Islanders in the Eastern Conference final. "The emotions are so high. We worked all year. Our goal was to be playing for the Stanley Cup, and we’re here now.“It’s every kid’s dream to be in this situation. … We’re excited, and we’re ready to go.”It was impressive that Cirelli was able to be in that situation in the first place.In the second period, he collided with Islanders captain Anders Lee at the blue line, and he was down on the ice clenching a knee in considerable pain.It didn’t look good for the Lightning and Cirelli. Tampa Bay has dealt with injuries throughout the playoffs, and Cirelli went straight to the locker room. But he was able to come back to start the third period and overtime.“He was basically (playing) on one leg,” coach Jon Cooper said. "I’m trying not to disclose injuries, but it was pretty clear what happened on that play. For him to come back, it was pretty remarkable.“The kid has scored big goals in his career. Everybody remembers the Memorial Cup when he was 16 at the time, and it’s true to believe if you play the right way, good things will happen, and that’s what that kid does.”Heading into Game 6, the Lightning were searching for secondary scoring. Practically begging for someone other than their top-line and defenseman, Victor Hedman, to find the back of the net, they got it from battered and bruised Cirelli, who scored his first goal since Game 5 of the conference semifinal against Boston.Despite not having scored since that game before Thursday, Cirelli had filled in for center Brayden Point twice in the conference final as Point missed two games with an injury.“Tony’s been playing really well for us,” said forward Blake Coleman.“He’s been a huge part of our team and a reason why we’re winning a lot of games. To lose him for a little bit was a big blow, but he’s got our team mentality. He’s a warrior. It was good to have him back in the third and in overtime, and to see him get rewarded like that is pretty special.”To see Cirelli come back clearly not at 100 percent and score the winner was rather a fitting way to end this series for the Lightning.They’ve had to gut it out and persevere through a lot of injuries and obstacles throughout the playoff run, but they’ve found a way to win, and now they’re playing for the Stanley Cup for the second time in six years.“The bottom line is to get this far, guys have to gut it out,” said Cooper."Everybody on both teams … injuries mount in the playoffs, everybody gets banged up. You beg for rest at this time of year, and it’s few and far between.“Whoever raises this Cup, they’ll have earned this one, I’ll tell you that.”

Anthony Cirelli a fitting hero for this Lightning moment

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