Thomas save of the playoffs (and possibly year)

I'm sure everyone has seen the great save by Tim Thomas by now. In complete desperation, Thomas dove, stick first, at his right post to stop the chance by Steve Downie in the 3rd period against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sure for everyone it's an unbelievable save at a key moment. Hockey fans will forever marvel in its brilliance. But  I want to share with you what it feels like for the opposing team and fans when you get robbed on such a chance.

On December 23rd, 2008, I was at a Devils-Bruins game with my Dad. It was an extremely close game and neither team was able to get on the scoreboard. The reason? Well Tim Thomas (eventual Vezina Winner) was in net for Boston while injury-replacement Scott Clemmensen was in net for the Devils during Brodeur's injury. Both goalies were hot at the time and neither team was able to do too much. The first goal took until the beginning of the third period to happen. 

Well in the second period, the Devils got a fantastic scoring opportunity short-handed. Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrick Elias came in on a 2-1 odd man rush against Boston. After a booming shot by Langenbrunner followed by a big rebound by Thomas, Elias had the net wide open. He put it on net but Thomas somehow got his paddle down and stopped the puck while diving across.

So the question is, how does a fan of the opposing team react to a save like this?

Not well. At first I thought the puck had gone in because my usual seats (Section 22) was the opposite side that the save happened on. Once I saw that it didn't go in, I tried to rationalize what had happened. I was trying to not be impressed by the save. I figured 'well it was his (Thomas') fault to begin with. He was out too far and then gave up a big rebound. He was lucky to react in time.' Then I started to degrade the actual save all together. 'Well Elias didn't shoot the puck as hard as he should have. He (Thomas) probably just dove with his eyes closed and made a 1-in-a-million save.' 

So while everyone else figured it was a fantastic save, I was forced to not admire it. And I'm sure the Lightning fans did the same when Thomas made that save on Downie.