Viktor Stalberg scores game-winner as Chicago Blackhawks edge Nashville Predators 5-4 -NHL Match Update
Viktor Stalberg had another strong performance in two straight matchups to lead the Chicago Blackhawks second consecutive win by defeating the Nashville Predators, 5-4, in overtime, on Monday night, October 31, 2011, at the sold-out United Center in Chicago,
Illinois, United States.
Chicago gained another valuable two points to secure the top number position in the Western Conference and tied with the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers, who all at the moment have 16 points.
Upcoming games for the teams will be crucial in determining their positions later on.
Without a doubt, the Nashville Predators did certainly not go down without a fight and getting that single point after the game headed into overtime, head coach, Barry Trotz, terms it as better than nothing for how well his team stayed focused.
"We'll take the point", Trotz said. "I liked our resiliency, I liked a lot of things we did, but I didn't like the way we mismanaged the game in terms of twice 5-on-3 long penalty kills".
Patric Hornqvist scored 26 seconds into the first period for his third of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, giving Nashville an early hold on the match.
Patrick Kane fired off for his third as well and levelled the contest at the 19:11 mark, with less than a minute to go.
Craig Smith put Nashville ahead again, six minutes into the second period, answered by Chciago’s Nick Leddy and again a Predators tie-breaker by Patric Hornqvist during a power play opportunity as the Blackhawks lost Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland, giving
the visiting team a 5-on-3 man advantage.
"When you take 5-on-3s, you're going to give up a ton of shots, a ton of chances, especially with the talent they put out there. That's not chicken liver, that's an all-star team", Trotz added.
Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell scored two straight in the third and final period of regulation to give Chicago a one goal lead over Nashville with less than seven minutes remaining. David Ledwand emerged as the go-to-guy for the Predators by making his equaliser
to force overtime at the 14:49 mark.
Viktor Stalberg’s third goal in two matchups gave Chicago the win during overtime, snapping Nashville’s two-game winning streak while extending their own.
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