Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Desjardins (11) is called for goaltender interference after falling over Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) in the third period of Game 6 of the Western Conference Final in Chicago. Reuters/Jerry Lai/USA Today Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 Wednesday, powered by three goals within four minutes in the second period, to tie the best-of-seven NHL Western Conference Final at three games apiece. The deciding Game 7 on Saturday will be hosted by the Ducks, who suffered their first regulation loss in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

Goals from Brandon Saad, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kan between the 8:23 and 12:08 marks were responsible for the Blackhawks’ surge in the second period and Duncan Keith was credited assists in all three goals. "He's kind of a freak as far as his metabolism and conditioning level," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Keith via ESPN. "I think the more he plays, the more efficient, the more he gets going."

However, the Ducks scored the next two goals, first from Patrick Maroon at the 14:13 mark of the second period and the second from Clayton Stoner at the start of the third, to make a game out of it and cut the deficit to a single goal.

Chicago’s defense took over from that point and Andrew Shaw scored two late goals for the Blackhawks for the final score. Goalie Corey Crawford stopped 30 of 32 shots for Chicago while his Anaheim counterpart Frederik Anderson had 18 saves.

Anaheim was looking to clinch the series and get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2007. Meanwhile, Chicago stayed alive and is looking to duplicate their title runs of 2010 and 2013.

The Ducks and Blackhawks have alternated victories in this series since Anaheim took the win in the opening game.

RELATED STORIES