CHICAGO – Thanks Michael Handzus, the Chicago Blackhawks were able to keep their season alive in a pivotal Game 5 of their Stanley Cup West Finals.
It took the Blackhawks all of a minute and 13 seconds to get things going after Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was called for tripping just 30 seconds into the game. On the ensuing power play, Brent Seabrook blasted a shot from the point past Jonathan Quick to give the Blackhawks the early 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, Johnny Oduya’s shot from in front of the net found its way into the back of the net to put the Blackhawks up 2-0. Midway through the period, Kings forward Jarret Stoll beat Corey Crawford amidst a scramble in front of the net to make it a 2-1 game.
Despite getting on the board, the Kings found themselves down by 2 once again a little over a minute later after Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad pounced on a loose puck to make it 3-1 Blackhawks. The Blackhawks appeared to be adding to their lead, however, Quick came up with a big save to squash that opportunity.
Immediately after the save, Kings forward Anze Kopitar turned up ice and eventually found an open Marian Gaborik, who beat Crawford with a wrist shot to bring the Kings to within a goal.
Midway through the second period, Kings forward Dustin Brown beat Cory Crawford to tie the game at 3. Less than two minutes after tying the game, Tanner Pearson appeared to catch Crawford off guard with a quick shot over Crawford’s shoulder to give the Kings a 4-3 lead.
Entering the third period down a goal, the Blackhawks took a minute and 17 seconds to tie the game back up after Ben Smith deposited a rebound past Quick to tie the game up at 4. Despite the early goal, neither team was able to jump out in front, and the score remained tied at the end of regulation.
Although there was a steady and quick flow throughout the game due to the low amount of stoppages (there were only 4 total penalties, two per team), the score remained tied after 20 minutes of overtime hockey.
A little over two minutes into the second overtime, Handzus beat Quick with a backhand to win the game 5-4, and, more importantly, keep the Blackhawks season alive for at least one more game.
The Blackhawks and Kings will meet for Game 6 on Friday night at 9 pm back at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Kings will look to close out the series on home ice, while the Blackhawks look to force a seventh and deciding game.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
