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Blackhawks Score 3 Times in 3rd Period, Force Game 7

Posted at 11:20 PM, May 27, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-28 07:14:07-04

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings were 20 minutes away from the Western Conference Final. But after a rough third period, they now have to go back to Chicago for Game 7.

Chicago scored three times in the third period to defeat the Red Wings 4-3 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Joe Louis Arena.

Michael Handzus was left all alone in front of the net and he beat Jimmy Howard just 51 seconds into the final frame to tie the game up at 2-2. Less than five minutes later, Bryan Bickell won a battle in front of the net with Brendan Smith to knock in a Jonathan Toews centering attempt to give the Blackhawks their second lead of the game.

Chicago would take a 4-2 lead thanks to a Michael Frolik goal on a penalty shot. Frolik induced the penalty shot by blocking a Carlo Colaiacovo shot at the point in the Blackhawks zone and then raced down the other end for a breakaway attempt on Howard. Colaiacovo would slash at Frolik’s hands and stick, knocking the puck away, but was called for a penalty that gave Frolik the free shot. Frolik would beat Howard with a backhand shot above Howard’s glove.

Damien Brunner added a goal with 52 seconds left in the third to make it 4-3, but the Red Wings couldn’t create much more offense after that in the little time they had left.

Chicago’s Marian Hossa opened the scoring with a power play goal 3:53 into the first period. Patrick Eaves tied the game with 1:09 left in the first period, and Joakim Andersson gave Detroit a 2-1 lead with his first of the playoffs at 10:11 into the second period.

Game 7 is Wednesday night in Chicago at 8:00 p.m.