Every hockey player dreams of scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. They play in their driveways, on ponds, and even in unfinished basements, pretending to give their team a victory in uncanny fashion. Matt Beleskey lived that dream in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. Beleskey’s overtime goal 45 seconds in gave the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 series lead over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Game 5: Beleskey’s OT Winner Gives Ducks 3-2 Series Lead
In Game 4 of the Western Conference final, the Anaheim Ducks scored three times in 37 seconds, which marked the second-fastest span that a trio of goals was scored in NHL history. Despite the back-breakingly quick strikes by the visitors, Patrick Kane tied the game on the powerplay before regulation concluded.
Antoine Vermette then played hero with his difference-maker 5:37 into the second overtime to tie the series up at two games apiece, proving once again that doubting the resiliency of the Chicago Blackhawks is not a wise strategy.
But would they survive three first period goals by Anaheim in Game 5 in front of the boisterous crowd in the Honda Center?
The Ducks scored in bunches once again in the opening frame of Monday’s contest. Cam Fowler opened the scoring at 5:10 with a ferocious wrist shot from the top of the slot that beat Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford‘s glove hand. The defenseman’s second goal of the playoffs was followed by Ryan Kesler‘s deflection 32 seconds later, giving the Ducks a commanding lead early.
Sami Vatanen‘s drive off the face-off made it 3-0 Anaheim at 14:37. It marked the seventh time in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs that the Blackhawks had allowed three goals in a single period. At this point in the game, the Ducks had three goals.
The Chicago Blackhawks had zero shots.
Jonathan Toews registered the first shot on goal 16:20 into the period, an unusual start to the game for Joel Quenneville‘s club. At the end of the period, the Hawks added two more shots, but didn’t score on Frederik Andersen. The Ducks held a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Again, the resiliency of the Blackhawks would be tested, and they would respond to the task.
Teuvo Teravainen cut the Ducks lead to two 1:11 into the second period with his wrister from the circle that Andersen failed to knock down. It was a goal that the Danish goalie wanted back, but nonetheless, the Hawks were on the board.
Anaheim was on their heels the entire second period as the Blackhawks were constantly funneling pucks toward Andersen. Chicago’s forecheck was relentless, which led to another goal before the period concluded.
Teravainen again was in the middle of the action, dishing a pass to Brent Seabrook from behind the net, and the 30-year-old blueliner blasted a shot past Andersen, who was slow laterally. With 25 seconds remaining, the Blackhawks were now within one.
3-2 Anaheim after 40 minutes.
To start the third set of twenty, the Blackhawks remained on the attack, hoping to knot the game up at three. Andersen made a terrific right pad save on Teravainen, and another on Kane. The Ducks were holding on, but barely.
Patrick Maroon put the game out of reach off an unbelievable feed from Vatanen, who sent the pass across from the right circle to Maroon, who had a wide open net to bury it. His sixth goal of the playoffs came at 14:45 in the third, putting the final nail in the coffin in the Hawks comeback effort.
Or so they thought.
Toews’ rocket off a beautiful pass from Hossa with 1:50 left that brought his squad within one. Still, it was over, right? NEVER doubt the resiliency of the Chicago Blackhawks. With Crawford pulled, Toews scored again 72 seconds later to tie the game. After 60 minutes, the game was tied 4-4.
Game 2 needed three overtimes while Game 4 needed a pair of them; Game 5 would require 45 seconds.
The Blackhawks were 4-0 in overtime in this year’s playoffs coming into this game, but Matt Beleskey‘s overtime goal gave the Ducks a 5-4 victory, but more importantly, a 3-2 series lead.
Chicago’s porous start proved to be too much to overcome entirely thanks to an offense in Anaheim that capitalized on the many chances they had early on. The valiant and dramatic comeback from the Blackhawks was put to rest, this time permanently, with Beleskey’s seventh goal of the postseason.
It was the first time the Blackhawks have lost in the Kane-Toews era after being tied in a playoff series 2-2 (they were 14-0 before tonight). Anaheim heads into Chicago with the chance to eliminate the Hawks in their own building.
It’s now a must-win situation for Jonathan Toews and Co. as Game 6 will take place on Wednesday.
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