Chicago 3, Ducks 2, final.
Martin Havlat scored 1:40 into overtime, and the Ducks settled for a point in the finale of their 6-game road trip, possibly their most important game of the year. What kind of taste that leaves in GM Bob Murray's mouth with the trade deadline 13 hours away could be the most critical question of all.
To their credit, the Ducks climbed out of a 2-0 hole with two quick goals to start the second period, and gave the Blackhawks' dangerous power play just two fruitless chances.
Postgame quotes:
Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville:
"(Right wing Martin) Havlat scored a great game-winning goal. He's been playing really well and following assignments. He's putting his soft hands to good use. While I can't predict the outcome for the remaining games, they will definitely be tight because each game is life or death and two points are huge."
Blackhawks right wing Martin Havlat:
"Tonight's win was big for us. It helped us build momentum going forward into a long stretch of home games and it proves we can win the close ones, the way every playoff game is. It was very exciting to score the game-winner (in overtime). I beat the defender one-on-one, just doing my job, doing what I'm supposed to. Every game from here on out will be difficult because teams are fighting for a playoff spot or a higher seed."
Ducks Head Coach Randy Carlyle:
"We didn't skate well in the first period and turnovers prevented us from getting another point. You can see that Chicago is a more effective and confident team and they took advantage of their breaks. (Center Andrew) Ebbett hitting the post in the third period was certainly a moment that could have changed the entire game. It's been a long road trip for us but we are still in the thick of the playoff race."
Ducks Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere
"I tried to react to (Blackhawks right wing Martin) Havlat (on the game-winning goal), but he made a great play. It was a tight game and it was good that we came back after being down two goals. Now we need to win at home after our long road trip."
About J.P.
J.P. Hoornstra has been covering the Anaheim Ducks since 2007. Eight months after the University of Wisconsin won its third NCAA hockey championship, he was born in a frigid Madison winter. He betrayed his blue-blooded beginnings by graduating from UCLA in 2003, and welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
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