Anaheim Ducks Triumph Over Chicago Blackhawks in a Fierce 3-2 Showdown
Killorn’s Stellar Play in the Third Period Elevates Ducks to Season’s Highest Win Streak
In a thrilling Tuesday night faceoff, the Anaheim Ducks clinched a third consecutive victory, their season’s best, by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. Alex Killorn was the man of the match with a goal and assist in the pivotal third period, steering the Ducks to a win.
Killorn levelled the score at 2-2, 5:10 into the third period, with a skilfully executed backhand shot. He followed this up with an impeccable assist to Leo Carlsson, setting up a backdoor tap-in, leaving 10:22 on the clock. Pavel Mintyukov added to Ducks’ tally, marking their fourth win in five games.
Ducks’ Dynamic Duo: Zegras and Gibson
Trevor Zegras displayed his prowess with two assists, and John Gibson fortified the Ducks’ defense with 18 saves. Conversely, the Blackhawks were handed their fifth defeat in six games. Jason Dickinson’s two goals, both set up by Connor Bedard, and Arvid Soderblom’s 21 saves, weren’t enough to secure a win.
In the first period, Dickinson’s one-timer put the Blackhawks ahead with 2:57 left on the clock. He extended the lead to 2-1, bagging his fourth goal of the season, 3:54 into the second period. This follows the Blackhawks’ 4-2 victory over the Ducks in their first season meeting on November 3.
Takeaway Points from the Game
Despite playing on the road for the second consecutive night, the Ducks delivered an impressive performance in the third period. They had previously triumphed 4-2 against Dallas on Monday. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, despite some promising forward combinations, struggled to find the net, scoring just seven regulation goals in the past six games.
The Deciding Moments and Key Statistics
The game witnessed a crucial moment when Soderblom was replaced with an additional attacker, approximately 1:40 left in regulation time. However, Ryan Donato’s attempt was denied by Gibson with about a minute to spare.
Bedard, the 19-year old prodigy, has provided 51 assists in 87 games, becoming the fourth teenager in franchise history to record 50 career assists, following Eddie Olczyk (80), Patrick Kane (65), and Bobby Hull (53).
What’s Next in the NHL?
The Anaheim Ducks are set to return home to face the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, while the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.
