Anaheim Ducks Win Game 3 And Regain Home-Ice Advantage In WCF Against Chicago
By Jamaal Artis
May 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) is congratulated by teammates after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
After the disappointment of losing Game 2 in triple overtime and then immediately having to turn around and fly to Chicago you could have forgiven the Anaheim Ducks if they had a let down in Game 3.
The Ducks though lead the Western Conference in road wins with 25 and it showed why after their 2-1 win Thursday night at the United Center.
The Ducks were able to win by mitigating the mistakes they made in Game 2.
Anaheim made sure to get out in front of the Blackhawks after being down 2-0 in the first 8 minutes of Game 2.
The Ducks got going first when Pat Maroon tipped in a rebound at the 12:55 mark, the Ducks did slip up when they let the Blackhawks tie the score a minute before the first period ended on a Patrick Kane backhand.
Though it seemed the Blackhawks had regained the momentum going into the second, the Ducks proved though that they could keep their composure through out the rest of the game.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks needed their special teams to keep them in the game, unlike Game 2 where the Blackhawks were 2-of-5 on the power play.
Going a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill and only allowing the Blackhawks one shot while on the power play. The key moment being a killing of a 4-minute double-minor in the 1st period.
May 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) defends the net against Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) during the third period in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks where able to to win on Simon Despres’ first career playoff goal at 19:05 of the second period, giving the Ducks defense unit it’s league leading 37th playoff point.
From there the defense focused on stopping goals instead of scoring them, frustrating the Blackhawks offense the rest of the way.
The Ducks survived the third period by killing another penalty and kept the game tying goal from going in thanks to their reliable goaltender Fredrick Andersen.
After stopping 53 shots in Game 2, Andersen continued to stymie the Blackhawks, stopping all 21 shots after the 1st period goal and 10 alone in the 3rd period.
In the playoffs, Fredrick Andersen leads the goaltenders in save percentage and goals allowed average (GAA) at .935 and 1.75 respectively. Andersen has been so reliable one has to wonder if Andersen is Danish for “brick wall.”
As long as he continues to play at this level it’s hard to see how the Blackhawks will win the series.
Bottom Line: The Ducks came up big when it mattered most
After regaining home ice advantage the Ducks will look to put the Blackhawks in a 3-1 hole on Saturday. Perhaps the Blackhawks will come out stronger in the next game, will the Ducks be able to continue to dominate on the penalty-kill, how will the Blackhawks be able to solve Fredrick Andersen?
It may be to soon to tell but this may be a quick series if the Blackhawks don’t answer the Ducks’ challenge.