Beleskey scores quick OT winner as Ducks salvage Game 5 after blowing late lead
The Anaheim Ducks made short work of their third trip to overtime in the Western Conference Final.
Matt Beleskey pounced on a rebound 45 seconds into the extra period to give the Ducks a 5-4 victory and a 3-2 series advantage over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 on Monday, much to the delight of Gordon Bombay Emilio Estevez.
SUCK IT, WINDY CITY WINDBAGS!!! DUCKS WIN! DUCKS WIN! DUCKS WIN! @AnaheimDucks @NHL
— Emilio Estevez (@EMILIOTHEWAY) May 26, 2015
Beleskey's goal erased a Chicago rally led by captain Jonathan Toews, who scored twice in the final 1:50 of regulation to force overtime. The Blackhawks won the previous two overtime contests of the series in Games 2 and 4.
Star Performer: Ryan Kesler was a force on the ice for Anaheim, scoring in the first period with a great deflection and setting up Beleskey's winner by firing a shot that was too much for Chicago netminder Corey Crawford to handle. He finished with a team-high four shots and a game-high seven hits.
Turning Point: Toews put the contest in the Blackhawks' hands with his two late goals, but the third-period collapse didn't faze Anaheim, which came out firing in overtime with four shots in the extra period by the time Beleskey scored.
Goalie Comparison: Both goaltenders appeared frustrated and out of sorts at times throughout the game. Crawford was visibly upset after allowing the Ducks' third goal and Frederik Andersen was uncharacteristically shaky in Anaheim's net, especially on Toews' tying goal.
| Goalie | Shots | GA | Saves | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford | 28 | 5 | 23 | .821 |
| Andersen | 28 | 4 | 24 | .857 |
Top Highlight: The Ducks executed some pinpoint passing plays during the contest, but none were as effective as the one between Ryan Getzlaf, Sami Vatanen, and Patrick Maroon in the third period for Anaheim's fourth goal.
Stat of the Night: Getzlaf finished Game 5 with two assists, breaking his own franchise record for points in a single postseason (19).
Series at a Glance
Game 1: Ducks 4, Blackhawks 1
Game 2: Blackhawks 3, Ducks 2 (3OT)
Game 3: Ducks 2, Blackhawks 1
Game 4: Blackhawks 5, Ducks 4 (2OT)
Game 5: Ducks 5, Blackhawks 4 (OT)
Game 6: Wednesday, May 27, 8 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Saturday, May 30, 8 p.m. ET
*If necessary