Duncan Keith (Michigan State) wristed home the tying goal
with less than nine minutes left in regulation, and the defending Stanley Cup
champion Chicago Blackhawks forced a Game 7 with Friday's 4-3 win at Los
Angeles. The Blackhawks and Kings will play a deciding Game 7 on Sunday night
in Illinois to crown the Western Conference champion.
Ben Smith (Boston College) scored for Chicago for the second
straight game, while Jonathan Toews (North Dakota ) and Patrick Sharp (Vermont)
both picked up assists on the night. Smith’s goal gave Chicago a 2-1 lead early
in the second period, while Keith’s goal forged a 3-3 tie after Los Angeles had
tallied two consecutive third-period goals to take a 3-2 lead. Jonathan Quick
(UMass) made 25 saves for the Kings, who had won their previous two home games in
the series at the Staples Center.
The Blackhawks, who are seeking to become the NHL's first
repeat champion since Detroit in 1997-1998, have won two straight games after
falling behind in the series, three games to one. They forced Game 6 with a 5-4
double overtime win on Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago.
The winner of Sunday night’s Game 7 will host the Eastern
Conference champion New York Rangers on June 4 in Game 1 of the 2014 Stanley Cup
Final.
