Anaheim Ducks Lose Another Heartbreaker In Double Overtime

For the second time in this western conference finals series, the Ducks and Blackhawks found themselves needing extra time to decide a winner. Game two was an absolute marathon as the Blackhawks scored with four minutes left in the third overtime period to win the game 3-2. Game four looked to be on the same track as 80 minutes of hockey was not enough and the game headed to double overtime. The drama continued as the man who was a healthy scratch in game three, Antoine Vermette, scored the game winning goal in double overtime.

The Ducks once again outshot and outhit Chicago but game four had a different feeling to it. The Ducks appeared to be playing on their heals and the Hawks dictated play through the first 48 minutes of the game. Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook each scored for the first time this series and the Hawks took a commanding 3-1 lead with 13 minutes to go in the third period. The Ducks looked down and out but as we’ve seen all year, they flipped the switch and looked to be on their way to another shocking comeback.

Anaheim Ducks /

Anaheim Ducks

Ryan Kesler scored about a minute after the Hawks took a 3-1 lead and the Ducks were now within one. 23 seconds later it was Matt Beleskey who stripped Antoine Vermette at the blue line and immediately fired one of his twisted wrist shots to beat Crawford, tie game. 14 seconds later it was Ryan Getzlaf who fired a puck towards the net and the hated one, Corey Perry, found the rebound and slipped it past Crawford. Three goals in 37 seconds gave the Ducks a 4-3 lead with just over ten minutes to go in the third. The comeback kids were alive and well in Chicago.

The Hawks were given another power play late and Patrick Kane found a way to get one past Freddie Andersen and tie the game at four. The game would move to overtime and it was now the Ducks who looked to be dictating the play. Anaheim had a 17 to 5 shot advanatge in the first overtime but they could not solve Crawford. The second overtime started the same way but just like game two, it was once again the Blackhawks who got the bounce they needed. Antoine Vermette took advantage of a Ducks turnover as he ended the game five minutes into the second overtime period. Chicago found a way to get a much needed victory and the series is now tied up at two games apiece.

3 Goals In 37 Seconds

The Ducks never count themselves out of any game and it was never more apparent than in game four. After two quick Chicago goals, the Ducks kept grinding and went on a historic 37 second rampage. Kesler, Belesky and Perry’s goals marked the second fastest three goals scored by one team in a playoff game only behind the 1979 Toronto Maple Leafs team who did it in 23 seconds. The Ducks should take this is a positive heading into game five as they now know what they can do in a short amount of time.

Takeaways From Game 4

One notable takeaway from this series after game four is that the Hawks have needed overtime to beat the Ducks. Anaheim took games one and three in regulation while the Hawks grinded out victories in triple and double overtime in games two and four. Look at this how you want, but the Ducks should realize that they are giving Chicago everything they can handle.

With the Hawks relying heavily on their top four defensemen, these long overtime games are proving to be taxing. Duncan Keith played 40 minutes in game four, eight minutes more than the Ducks ice time leader (Cam Fowler 32:31). Keith has now played 146 minutes in four games and the Hawks have four defensemen who have played over 100 minutes so far in this series. Keith has always been a superhuman when it comes to ice time, but you have to wonder how much longer he can keep this up. A heavy forecheck from the Ducks in game five could be a difference maker.

Despite the loss, Freddie Andersen played incredibly well once again. All four goals scored against him in regulation were tough goals that he really did not have any chance of stopping. He made a number of incredible saves in overtime as well, most notably a pad save on a Patrick Sharp breakaway. After the triple overtime loss in game two we saw Andersen bounce back to only allow one goal in game three. Much of the same will be needed in game five and Freddie will need to win another game for the Ducks on home ice.

Game 5

Game five is set for Monday night and it is a must win game for both teams. The Ducks must start the game better than they have previously in this series. Honda Center will be rocking and the Ducks will look to fuel from that energy to regain a series lead.

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