Chicago Blackhawks Win Game 4 in Double OT

May 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Antoine Vermette (80) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second overtime period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks won 5-4 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks were coming into Game 4 in a “must win situation”. They did not want to head to Anaheim trailing three games to one. After an insane game that featured great goal tending, precise goals, dirty goals, six goals in a period, three Ducks goals in 37 seconds and a double overtime. The Blackhawks FINALLY came away with a victory. The goal was scored by an unlikely hero in Antoine Vermette. Vermette was a healthy scratch in Game three along with Teuvo Teravainen. Vertmette would score the Game winner in double overtime.

Let’s see how we got there:

1^st period: In the first period, the Blackhawks game out fast and furious. The Hawks were flying around the ice. It was a great first period. It was not until Brandon Saad broke away on the penalty kill and scored. This gave the Blackhawks their first goal of the game and a one to zero lead. The Blackhawks maintained the lead for the rest of the period.

2^nd period: In the second period, the Blackhawks were outplayed by the Ducks as the Blackhawks second period woes continued. The Blackhawks couldn’t clear the zone in the period and Emerson Etem made the Blackhawks play. Etem tied the game at one. The second period was the calm before the storm.

3^rd period: The period started off with a bang. Jonathan Toews got the United Center rocking with his first goal of the series. The Blackhawks extended their lead 2-1. Five minutes later Brandon Saad dropped the pass back to Brent Seabrook. Seabrook blasted the puck past Frederik Andersen to give the Blackhawks a 3-1 lead. The lead was very short lived. The Ducks uncorked the second last scoring binge in NHL playoff history. The Ducks rattled of three goals in 37 seconds! That is right, three goals in 37 seconds. Ryan Kesler, Matt Beleskey, and Corey Perry were the goal scorers for the Ducks. The Ducks now had a 4-3 lead less than half way through the third period. The Blackhawks once again showed their resolve. The Blackhawks got a late power play and Patrick Kane came through once again. Kane scored his ninth goal of the playoffs and the fourth goal for the Blackhawks.

Overtime: With the scored time at the end regulation, the game went to overtime. In the first overtime the Duck had more chances (17 shots) than the Blackhawks (5). The Blackhawks chances however were quality. Andrew Shaw hit the cross bar on a golden chance and then tried to kick the puck into the net. Patrick Sharp had a breakaway against Andersen but could not lift the puck to beat the goalie. The game went to a second overtime.

Double Overtime: In double overtime with less than five minutes to play, the Sharp, Teravainen, and Vermette line outworked the Ducks. Vermette was rewarded for his hard work as he scored the game winner.

The series is now tied at two. The series will resume in Anaheim on Monday at 8:00pm.