Ducks push Hawks to brink of NHL elimination

Matt Beleskey scored 45 seconds into overtime to lift the Anaheim Ducks over Chicago 5-4, putting the Blackhawks on the brink of elimination from the NHL Western Conference finals.

Cam Fowler and Ryan Kesler scored just 32 seconds apart in the first period and Sami Vatanen and Patrick Maroon also notched goals for the Ducks, who took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

Beleskey collected a rebound off a Kesler shot and then dropped to one knee and punched the puck into the back of the net before tripping over goaltender Corey Crawford and crashing into the end boards.

His goal touched off a wild celebration for the Ducks, who can wrap up the series with a victory on Wednesday in Chicago.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews scored his second goal of the game with just 38 seconds remaining in regulation time to tie the game at 4-4 and force over-time. Toews also scored a goal at 18:10 of the third to cut the Ducks lead to 4-3.

Toews' goal capped a furious rally by the Blackhawks, who gave up three goals in the opening period to go down 3-0 heading into the second.

Chicago didn't record their first shot on the Ducks' net until Toews got one with just under four minutes left in the first period.

Fowler scored on a long blast from the point and Kesler on a deflection as the Ducks scored twice on their first three shots of the game.

Brent Seabrook and Teuvo Teravainen also scored for Chicago, who suffered their first over-time loss of the playoff after winning four in a row.
Source: AFP