SBNation.com - Blackhawks Vs. Coyotes, Game 2: Chicago Forces OT, Wins To Even Series

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 2: Final Score, Bryan Bickell Stars In Chicago Win

2012-04-15T05:18:24Z

The Chicago Blackhawks are headed to the United Center with a road split after they pulled off a comeback overtime win against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Chicago trailed on two separate occasions, but Patrick Sharp netted a game-tying goal with six seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Just under 11 minutes into the first overtime period, Bryan Bickell netted the winner after Viktor Stalberg made a brilliant play to keep the puck in the offensive zone and found Bickell in the middle of a change.

Antoine Vermette got off to a very poor start in this game with a slash on Patrick Sharp that led to the opening goal for the Blackhawks. They came very close to killing the penalty, but at the very end of the power play, Dave Bolland created a scoring opportunity with a shot on goal. Mike Smith was unable to handle the rebound and Bryan Bickell poked the puck into the net.

Raffi Torres answered for Phoenix in the middle of the period, assisted by Shane Doan, and they would take the lead shortly afterwards. The Coyotes' second came on a controversial power play, given for goalie interference on Jonathan Toews. The replay of the incident indicated that Smith, not Toews, initiated the contact between the two players. Phoenix would capitalize on the power play anyway, with Vermette tipping in a shot by Keith Yandle to give his team the lead.

Brandon Bollig scored his first career goal in the second period to tie the game, but their momentum advantage would evaporate instantly. Less than 30 seconds after that goal, Andrew Shaw hit Mike Smith behind his goal and made contact with Smith's head. He was seriously shaken up, but returned to the game. Shaw was given a game misconduct and ejected. The result was a five-minute power play, on which the Coyotes were able to capitalize once. Vermette scored his second goal of the game, assisted by Yandle once again, as well as Derek Morris.

Chicago attacked the Coyotes' net throughout the third period, but it took them until the very end of the period to score a tying goal. At the end of a long series of pressure with an extra man on the ice, Patrick Sharp deflected an effort by Brent Seabrook into the net with just six seconds remaining in the game to send it to overtime.

If either team was tired, they certainly didn't look like it in the extra period. If anything, overtime was faster paced and more wide open than any of the periods before it. Smith and Corey Crawford were both challenged multiple times, though Smith was certainly on the receiving end of more shots than his counterpart on the other end of the ice. Eventually, the Blackhawks were able to get one past Smith to head back to Chicago with a split.

The Coyotes had the puck deep in their own end and looked to catch the Blackhawks on a change, but Stalberg saw the pass up the ice before coming off and not only kept the puck in his zone, but found a streaming Bickell in the center of the zone. Adrian Aucoin lost him, leaving Bickell to take a free shot, and he beat Smith for the winner.

You can find all of our coverage from this game in our Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks Game 2 StoryStream. For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Blackhawks Vs. Coyotes, NHL Playoffs Game 2: Chicago Scores Late To Force Overtime ... Again

2012-04-15T04:53:10Z

In Game 1, Brent Seabrook scored in the waning moments of regulation to tie the game, sending things to overtime before the Phoenix Coyotes prevailed in the extra session. In Game 2, he made a habit of it.

(Okay, so he didn't. This overtime-forcing goal was originally credited to Seabrook, but after further review, the point shot was deflected by Patrick Sharp.)

It was a mad scramble in front of the net prior to the goal. The Phoenix defense collapsed down low in front of their goaltender, and they were able to clear several pucks out of harms way, but by not getting it out of the zone, the Blackhawks kept their hopes alive. Phoenix allowed them to get way too many looks at the net, and Chicago has twice been able to come away with dramatic goals in last-second situations.

The Coyotes have already overcome this same situation in this series, however, so it's going to be interesting to see how each team responds once OT begins, having been through this so recently.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 2: Phoenix Still Up After 2

2012-04-15T03:52:32Z

The Phoenix Coyotes nearly had their goalie taken out of the game in the second period and allowed the Chicago Blackhawks to tie up the score, but Mike Smith is on the ice and the Coyotes are back in front. After an absolutely disastrous start to the period, the Coyotes recovered and now lead the Blackhawks 3-2 at the second intermission.

Just under seven minutes into the second period, Brandon Bollig scored his first career NHL goal, which was also his first career NHL point, assisted by Nick Leddy and Duncan Keith. Things appeared to get worse for Phoenix right after the ensuing faceoff, when Andrew Shaw collided with Coyotes goalie Mike Smith's head behind the net. Smith hit the ice hard and appeared to be in quite a bit of pain, but returned to the game. As you can see on the video and GIF of the hit, it's a small miracle Smith doesn't have a concussion. Shaw picked up a game misconduct and was ejected.

That put the Coyotes on a five-minute power play and they capitalized through a goal by Antoine Vermette, who scored his second goal of the game and third of the playoffs. His first goal of the game came on a tip, but his second was slightly more impressive, scored with a glove-side wrist shot through a screen by Raffi Torres.

We'll have coverage throughout the game in our Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks Game 2 StoryStream. For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Mike Smith Hit By Andrew Shaw: Goalie Remains In Game, Assailant Ejected

2012-04-15T03:41:28Z

It's tough to tell whether or not this hit by Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was intentional or not, but the result seems much more clear. Coyotes goalie Mike Smith took a hit directly to the head, and unless he's preparing his Emmy speech, he was in pretty rough shape as he hit the ice.

I'm getting a headache just watching it, but apparently Smith doesn't. He stayed in the game after just a few minutes of rest and attention from the trainers. Let's take a guess at how that conversation may have gone:

TRAINER: That didn't look good, Smitty. You alright?

SMITH: Yeah, I'm fine. Just need a second.

TRAINER: You sure? It might be best to take you back to the room, maybe do a few tests.

SMITH: I'm fine. It's the playoffs.

TRAINER: Right. Playoffs. Got a game to win.

*trainer scurries away*

Shaw was given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. The Coyotes scored a tie-breaking goal on the ensuing power play, and Smith doesn't appear to be feeling any ill effects from the hit. Not that it necessarily means anything, however.

The NHL claims to take head injuries seriously, but when a guy takes a brutal hit directly to the head, falls to the ice and immediately puts both hands on his head, and then remains in the game? At that point, it's tough to imagine they take anything seriously.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 2: Phoenix Leads 2-1 At First Intermission

2012-04-15T02:56:31Z

Things got off to an extremely rough start for the Phoenix Coyotes, but they're back on track heading into the first intermission. Bryan Bickell opened the scoring for the Chicago Blackhawks less than four minutes into the first period, but Phoenix has answered with two goals of their own, and they lead Game 2 at the first intermission by a score of 2-1.

Antoine Vermette won a trip to the penalty box less than two minutes into the game for a slash on Patrick Sharp. Mike Smith made some great saves on the ensuing power play, but they couldn't kill it off. At the very end of the power play, Dave Bolland put a shot on net and Smith struggled to control the rebound. It fell to Bickell, who finished off the chance to put the Blackhawks ahead.

Raffi Torres provided an even strength answer 8:52 into the period with a goal, assisted by Shane Doan. Three minutes later, Jonathan Toews picked up a penalty for goalie interference and the Coyotes would capitalize on their power play. Vermette finished it off to redeem himself for his early error, deflecting a shot from the blue line by Keith Yandle.

Besides the rebound he gave up to Bolland, Smith has been nearly flawless in net so far for Phoenix, making a fantastic 16 saves in the first period. Corey Crawford has not looked nearly as sharp for the Blackhawks.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks Game 2: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

2012-04-14T14:00:41Z

Things looked bleak for the Coyotes for a few minutes Saturday, after conceding a game-tying goal to Chicago's Brent Seabrook with under 15 seconds left. But things came together in overtime: a goal by Martin Hanzal - his first in 24 games - in overtime gave Phoenix the 1-0 advantage as they seek their first-ever victory in a playoff series. The Blackhawks didn't finish the opportunity to steal a win, but Chicago will have an opportunity to get even with a victory Saturday night.

No. 6 Chicago Blackhawks at No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes
10 p.m. ET Saturday -- Game 2, Western Conference Quarterfinals | Coyotes lead, 1-0
National TV: NBC Sports Network, TSN | Local TV: CSN Chicago

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage. For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.