Ducks Edge Blackhawks In OT

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Ducks would be without Troy Terry(upper-body injury) as he took a cross check to his side in the loss to Dallas. He is listed as day-to-day. Anthony Stolarz got the start in net against Petr Mrazek.

Recap

There was no scoring in the first period and not much flow to the start of this game.

The Ducks got a 4 minute power play after John Klingberg was high sticked to the face and started bleeding. The Blackhawks tried to score shorthanded and Mason McTavish called for hooking. The teams played 4-on-4 for two minutes. Anaheim then had a power play for just over a minute, but couldn’t convert.

The teams headed to the locker room scoreless after the opening 20 minutes.

Chicago got on the board first early in the second period. The Ducks turned over the puck in their own end and Patrick Kane found Jason Dickinson in front for the opening score.

Anaheim then tied up the game a few minutes later. Brett Leason took a shot that was blocked, then followed it up and scored on the rebound. Leason was able to backhand the rebound under Mrazek to tie things up.

The Blackhawks then answered back with a goal by Seth Jones. Chicago had a 2-on-1 break and Patrick Kane found Jones for the tap in score.

The Ducks then answered back with a goal by Jayson Megna. Leason knocked the puck away from Seth Jones and it came to Megna who beat Mrazek glove side to again tie up the game. The teams went to the locker room again tied, this time at two apiece.

In the third period there was no scoring. Chicago had a power play early in the period when Kevin Shattenkirk was called for roughing. Anaheim was able to kill off the penalty and keep it a tie game.

It would once again take bonus hockey to determine a winner for the Ducks. In the extra session, Frank Vatrano would score to give the Ducks the win. Isac Lundestrom brought the puck behind the Chicago net and skated back towards the slot. He found Vatrano as he snuck behind the defense and backhanded the puck in for the game winning goal.

Analysis:

The beginning of this game got off to a snail’s pace. There was no scoring in the first period and just 15 combined shots on goal. Then the action picked up in the second as both teams scored two goals apiece. In the third period, each team had chances, but it took overtime to determine a winner. Unlike last night, the Ducks were able to prevail in the extra session.

For the tanking crowd of each team this was a frustrating game. Neither team was able to win(or lose) in regulation, but instead each earned a point and had to go to overtime. Columbus has the least amount of points with 34 in the league. Chicago has 35 and Anaheim has 40.

Team Stats/Notes:

Jayson Megna scored his first goal as an Anaheim Duck.

Derek Grant returned to action after being on the IR.

The Ducks extended their point streak to five games. Anaheim has 9 points in their last five games.

What’s Next?

The Ducks return home Friday to host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 PM.

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February 7th, 2023