Former Ottawa 67’s forward Bryan Bickell opened the scoring for the Chicago Blackhawks, and more importantly he finished the scoring in overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a split in Phoenix. Patrick Sharp scored with 6 seconds left in the third to send the game to overtime, or else the Hawks would be heading home down a pair.
Continuing the day’s trend for nastiness, Andrew Shaw was given 5 and a game for elbowing Coyotes’ goalie Mike Smith behind the Phoenix net. Antoine Vermette scored his second of the game (and third of the series) on the ensuing power play, giving the Coyotes a 3-2 lead just before the mid-way point of the second. Vermette’s marker held almost 31 minutes, until Sharp’s deflection got past Smith to set up Bickell’s heroics.
Phoenix lost a pair of forwards during the game, most importantly first line centre Martin Hanzal, who went to hospital during the game and forced Vermette into his vacated role. It is unknown when Hanzal will be able to return.