CHICAGO — Antoine Vermette’s goal at 5:37 of the second overtime gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 5-4 comeback win over the Anaheim Ducks Saturday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals at the United Center.
Chicago tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2, with Game 5 in Anaheim on Monday and Game 6 back in Chicago on Wednesday.
It was a spectacular rally as Chicago saw a 3-1 lead in the third period quickly turn into a 4-3 deficit as the Ducks scored three goals in 47 seconds. Chicago left winger Patrick Kane’s goal at 12:38 of the third period tied the game, sending the contest into overtime.
Vermette was a healthy scratch in Game 3 but earned a reprieve to play Saturday, and wound up scoring not only his second goal of the playoffs, but gave his team a brand new start in the series.
Anaheim goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 35 of Chicago’s 40 shots, while winning Chicago goalie Corey Crawford stopped 47 of Anaheim’s 51 shots
Chicago scored with 47 seconds left in the first period. Left winger Brandon Saad avoided a trip and zoomed in on Anaheim goalie Frederik Andersen, ending with a wrist shot that reached the net for his fourth goal of the postseason.
The Ducks managed just six shots against Crawford in the first period and the Blackhawks pummeled Andersen with 14 shots.
It was virtually the opposite in the second period as Anaheim outshot Chicago 13-6.
The Ducks tied it with 1:46 remaining in the second period when center Emerson Etem scored his third goal of the playoffs on a tip-in past Crawford.