CHICAGO – The series between the Blackhawks and Coyotes just got nastier. Mikkel Bodeker gave the Coyotes a 3-2 victory with an overtime goal. The win gave Phoenix a 2-1 series lead.
Bodeker’s first goal of the series is one goaltender Corey Crawford wants back. Bodeker’s shot from the goal line extended, slid under Crawford who was late to put his stick along the ice.
The tone of the game was set at 11:51 of the first period when Raffi Torres delivered a blow to Marian Hossa’s head. Torres clearly left his feet and made contact directly with the opponent’s head. There was no penalty called.
Hossa lay motionless on the ice for several minutes. He was eventually taken off the ice on a stretcher and then transported by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. According to the Chicago Tribune, Hossa left the hospital at 10:05 p.m. Central Time. Walking to a car under his own power. When asked how he felt he didn’t answer the reporter.
NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan will have his hands full. Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was suspended earlier in the day, three games, for his hit on goaltender Mike Smith in Game 2. The first-year boss will be watched closely by fans, especially with his suspension inconsistency this post season.
On the ice, the Hawks responded the best way they could, a late first period goal. Andrew Brunette’s thigh deflected a Patrick Kane shot into the net in the final minute of the opening period.
Things stayed 1-0 for Chicago until a crazy minute in the third period. At 8:16 Rostislav Klesla grabbed the puck in the left circle and beat Corey Crawford to the short side, making it 1-1.
Chicago struck back 33 seconds later when Michael Frolik put a rebound home. Frolik was playing for the first time this series and scored for the first time in 34 games.
Veteran Ray Whitney finished the flurry when his wrist shot lit the lamp at the 9:21 mark. Neither team mounted much offense the rest of regulation.
The teams will revisit each other on Thursday night in Chicago for Game 4. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Central Time. Before the puck drops, all eyes will be on the NHL office for word on a possible suspension.
Contact Adama.Minnick@prohockeynews.com
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