Photo: US Presswire
After a deflating overtime loss in game 2, it was the Phoenix Coyotes who battled back in Game 3 on Tuesday, coming back from a deficit twice to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime at the United Center in Chicago. The Coyotes lead the Blackhawks two games to one in the best of seven series.
Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker scored the overtime winner just over 13 minutes in to the period. His shot from a 90-degree angle skidded past Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford.
"I was just trying to hit [Crawford's] pads," said Boedker describing the goal. "You never know what's gonna happen from that angle,"
It was the third straight overtime game in the series. The teams had split the two overtime games at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale.
The tone in game 3 was set back in the 1st period when Coyotes forward Raffi Torres left his feet and delievered a massive hit to Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. Hossa was immobile on the ice for several minutes and was eventually taken off the ice on a stretcher. Hossa went to the hospital and was later released.
Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville was unhappy that Torres was not charged with a penalty or a misconduct.
"The refereeing tonight was a disgrace," said Quenneville.
Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett felt differently about the hit.
"It looked to me like he was finishing his check," said Tippett.
Torres spoke about the hit after the game.
"First off, I hope he's alright," said Torres. "Apart from that, I thought it was a hockey play."
The first goal of the game came with seconds left in the 1st period. Hawks forward Patrick Kane's shot from just above the right circle deflected off of Andrew Brunette and went past Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith.
There was no scoring in the 2nd period, but the two teams made up for it in the 3rd period, and in a very short time frame. The Coyotes tied it at the 8:16 mark of the 3rd period as defenseman Rostislav Klesla's slapshot from the top of the left circle flew past Crawford.
Chicago did not take long to respond. Forward Michael Frolik backhanded a rebound from a Brent Seabrook shot past Smith. That goal came 33 seconds after Klesla's tying marker.
Then it was the Coyotes turn to respond as Phoenix's leading point getter in the regular season, forward Ray Whitney, netted his first goal of the playoffs. Whitney got the rebound from a Klesla shot and buried the puck into an open cage.
"It was big momentum for us scoring a couple goals in the 3rd [period]," said Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle.
It was a pretty even game the whole way through. Chicago had 37 shots compared to Phoenix's 34. Both teams were about even in hits as well.
With the win, the Coyotes will go for a commanding 3-1 series lead on Thursday night in Game 4. Coyotes forwards Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski, who both took part in the morning skate, did not play in game 3. Both their statuses are unknown for Thursday.
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