John Tortorella issues a guarantee after his team loses in Game 5!

If you were not already excited for Game 6 of the second round series between the Boston Bruins and the Columbus Blue Jackets, this should certainly get your interest.

On Saturday night the Boston Bruins and the Blue Jackets faced off in Game 5 of their series and although the Bruins had and held the lead for the vast majority of the contest, it was a hotly contested affair. The Bruins would take an early 1 goal lead after an uncharacteristic mistake from goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky was beaten by a weak shot from Boston Bruins veteran forward David Krejci, but it could easily argued that the fact Krejci fanned on the shot in the first place is what fooled Bobrovsky on the play.

The Bruins would coast on that lead for the majority of the game but late in the game's 3rd period the Blue Jackets would explode for an offensive onslaught against the Bruins, eventually rallying all the way from down 2 - 0 to tie the game at 3 goals a piece. It was an impressive late run from the Blue Jackets, especially considering that both the aforementioned Sergei Bobrvosky and Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask were dynamite on the evening, but unfortunately it was simply not enough for them to get the job done in the end.

After being the subject of much criticism in the playoffs, and rightfully so given his absence from the score sheet in many of his playoff games this far, Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak managed to have a huge game for his team. It was Pastrnak who would score the eventual game winner, after having previously scored one earlier in the night, silencing his critics and doubters in one quick flick of his wrist. 

It was a huge win for the Bruins to be sure, but if the Columbus Blue Jackets were rattled by this loss it certainly did not show in the behavior of Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella. Following the game Tortorella said that "things happen for a reason" and in fact appeared to be brimming with confidence when discussing the future of the series with the assembled media. 

Tortorella, without being prompted to do so, offered up a guarantee of victory in front of the cameras, letting everyone know that the Blue Jackets would not go down without a fight. Here is a look at how the exchange went with the reporter questioning him on this topic.

"Things happen for a reason and I truly believe that. We’ll be back here for Game 7.” 

Question: "You said we'll be back here for Game 7 ..."

Torts: "We will."

Question: "What gives you the confidence that ..."

Torts: "... because we will."

There is no question about what Tortorella is doing here, he is guaranteeing that his team will pick up the win in Game 6 in front of their home crowd in Columbus, Ohio. No doubt this is likely merely an attempt by the head coach to motivate the players in his locker room, although I have no doubt he genuinely believes they will win in Game 6, but it still has to be a tough burden to take on as a coach when you know you won't be out on the ice. 

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