CHICAGO (AP)-Ben Smith , listening to the advice of his teammates Blackhawks, who won them the Stanley Cup a year ago. Even when they lost the first three games of the series this year round opening of the Vancouver Canucks, who still had a chance.
"Never again to lose the fourth game. Rehashed more of the kids," Smith said Sunday night after his overtime goal gave the Blackhawks a 4-3 victory and sent the cartoon series back to Rogers Arena and deciding Game 7 on Tuesday.
"He would not say it's fantastic. It's something that we all had hoped. Down 3-0 do not panic," said Smith. "Nobody quit."
Vancouver had the best record in the NHL this season and had command of the series. And the Canucks on Sunday night came hard and fast when it became a game notable for the deafening United Center. Coach Alain Vigneault said it was the best game in Vancouver in the series, despite the loss.
When a diamond in Chicago to win games 4 and 5, Vignali blender. He went to a backup Cory Schneider and the goal, having struggled with Roberto Luongo had produced 10 goals in 40 shots over the last two games.
It turns out that Luongo was back on the ice in the third period and overtime Sunday because Schneider was injured, he called it spasms, after attempting to stop a penalty kick equalizer Michael Frolik.
"I was a little surprised, but Alain just wanted to shake and give a different look and Mo get his game back in shape and try to maximize my chances and give my team a chance to win," said Schneider, who finished with 17 saves and turned a game of 5-on-3 Chicago power for one minute, 43 seconds.
So who will play in Game 7?
"I have no idea. In reality they have never spoken. Lu looked good in the third period and overtime in a fixed place," Schneider said.
Luongo and Schneider said they have discovered Saturday on the transition.
"It's not something I'm used to, but of course when I came, I thought the boys really tightened defensively and not give up much of the remainder of the third and playing me a chance entering the game, "said Luongo, who had 12 saves.
"I was really happy with how we played the second half of the game. We're going to take this and try to build this game 7."
Chicago is trying to become the fourth team to win the series in seven NHL games after falling behind 3-0. Philadelphia did last year against Boston in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
"Anything can happen in Vancouver, says Smith, a rookie who made his NHL debut in October." I'm just trying to take a deep breath every once in a while '. ... They got some great players. E 'nerve-wracking when they had the wheel. They really wanted us to us in time. "
At 15:30 of overtime, and Niklas Hjalmarsson Smith (notes) shot that bounced off Luongo point.
"I was just trying to fight for the position of the body," said Smith, who has three goals in the series.
"I have a piece of it with my (stick) button and do not know exactly what happened," said Luongo. "I think Smith is roughly at me on the rebound."
Daniel Sedin , Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa scored for the Canucks. Bryan Bickel and Dave Bolland added goals for the Blackhawks.
Chicago goalie Corey Crawford 32 saves including 12 in overtime, when it looked like the Canucks win any.
"They threw a lot online," said Crawford, another rookie. "It was probably the biggest game of my career. A lot of fun to win. "
By playing 4-on-4 opens the third season the Canucks ahead goal in Bieksa's rebound 58 seconds in
About a minute and a half later, Frolik was awarded the penalty shot when Dan Hamhuis him down on a breakaway. Frolik skated in, faked a hand and the other was to beat Schneider, who was awarded the game twisted.
Chicago goalie Corey Crawford made 32 saves, including 12 in overtime, when it looked as if the Canucks win every second.
"I have not heard from the crowd," Frolik said. "I focused on myself, tried this and hoped it worked."
After Schneider replaced Luongo, the Canucks dominated the game and had the chance to take the lead again, but Chris Higgins attempt hit the post with just over 5 minutes to do.
Chicago goalie Corey Crawford made 32 saves, including 12 in overtime, when it looked as if the Canucks win every second.
