NHL: Matt Beleskey scores 45 seconds into OT and Anaheim goes up 3-2 on Chicago
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks stumbled back to their dressing room after regulation in disbelief. Jonathan Toews had just scored two improbable goals in 72 seconds, and Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference finals was headed into an overtime where everything seemed tilted toward Chicago.
These Ducks were stunned, but not staggered.
Matt Beleskey scored 45 seconds into overtime, and Anaheim weathered Toews’ heroics to beat the Blackhawks 5-4 on Monday night, taking a 3-2 series lead.
“It’s Ducks hockey,” said Ryan Kesler, who had a goal and an assist. “We don’t like to do anything easy.”
After Anaheim led Game 5 for about 52 straight minutes, Toews scored with 1:50 left and again with 37.2 seconds to play, forcing the sixth overtime period already in this series. His tying score on a long shot from a sharp angle was a brutally bad goal for Frederik Andersen, the Ducks’ normally reliable goalie.
The Honda Center crowd fell eerily silent, but the Ducks regrouped, refocused and showed off the late-game poise that has characterized the entire season for a team that repeatedly dominated one-goal games.
Shortly after the opening faceoff, Beleskey barreled into the crease and scored on a rebound of Kesler’s shot, flying through the air headfirst in celebration of a landmark goal in Ducks history.
“That’s the biggest goal I’ve ever scored,” Beleskey said. “It’s a great feeling anytime you do that, especially at home.”
Sami Vatanen also had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who need one more victory to earn their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals since 2007 when they won their only championship.
Game 6 is Wednesday in Chicago.
Corey Crawford made 23 saves before giving up the decisive rebound for the Blackhawks, who had won four overtime games already in this postseason, including two in this series.
They had all the momentum heading to OT after Toews silenced Honda Center – but the Ducks absorbed a pep talk from coach Bruce Boudreau and finished quickly with Beleskey’s seventh goal.
“They capitalized, but coming into overtime, Bruce said, ‘Get your heads up, boys, we’re going to win this hockey game,”’ said Patrick Maroon, who scored with 5:15 left in regulation. “And everyone believed in here. We’ve been doing it all year, and that’s the great thing about our team, that never-give-up attitude.”
Cam Fowler and Kesler scored 32 seconds apart in a three-goal first period for the Ducks, who have won the Western Conference title just twice in franchise history. Captain Ryan Getzlaf had two assists and set the franchise’s single-season playoff scoring record with his 19th point.