Jojo Doria

Chicago, IL

Mikkel Boedker scored 13:14 into overtime for his first career playoff goal, lifting the Phoenix Coyotes to a 3-2 decision over the Chicago Blackhawks, in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series at United Center.

With the win, the Coyotes took a 2-1 series lead and regained home-ice advantage.

Rostislav Klesla and Ray Whitney scored in regulation of the Coyotes, who brushed aside their frustrating collapse in the final minute of the first two games of the series which has turned wild and physical.

It marked the third consecutive overtime contest in this series, with Phoenix trying to force overtime this time.

The third-seeded Coyotes, coming off a tough 4-3 OT loss at Jobing.com Arena Saturday, allowed Chicago to take a 1-0 edge in the opening frame despite outshooting the Blackhawks 16-10 in the period. The momentum shifted with a brutal hit to Chicago forward Marian Hossa, however.

Hossa, who led the Blackhawks in points (77) this season, was taken off the ice on a stretcher in the first period after getting steamrolled by Raffi Torres, whose hit appeared to come as he left his feet as he drilled Hossa in the head with his shoulder.

Torres was not penalized on the play. Torres, however, could face a stiffer penalty as the incident is likely to be reviewed by the league.

Meanwhile, Hossa was reportedly taken to a local hospital and later was released.

In a statement through team physician Michael Terry, the Hawks said that Hossa underwent tests at Northwestern Memorial Hospital "which yielded encouraging results. We anticipate a full recovery in a timetable yet to be determined," the Chicago Tribune reported.

That incident, which led to multiple skirmishes in the bruising battle, not only fueled the fire but could be series changing for both teams, who are meeting in the postseason for the first time.

It came on the heels of a three-game suspension on Andrew Shaw for his nasty hit on Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith, who missed practice Monday.

Smith was again solid in between the pipes, making 35 saves, six in overtime, for the Coyotes, who missed the services of forwards Martin Hanzal (lower body) and Lauri Korpikoski (upper body). Hanzal and Korpikoski were scratched after being injured in Game 2.

The sixth-seeded Blackhawks, who earned a split in the first two games in Arizona Saturday after peppering Smith with 50 shots, including 11 in overtime, received goals from Andrew Brunette and Michael Frolik.

Corey Crawford was touched with three goals on 34 shots in defeat.

 

Blackhawks Center Andrew Shaw Hit with Three-game Ban

Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw was handed a three game suspension for his hit on Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinals.

Shaw received a a five-minute major and game misconduct at the time of the incident.

"The contact Shaw makes with Smith is not incidental," NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said. "Rather, it is a forceful blow delivered by Shaw's shoulder to Smith's chin. Also, in our opinion, Shaw does not make a reasonable effort to avoid such contact."

The teams are tied 1-1 in the best-of-7 series with game three set for Wednesday at Chicago's United Center.

 

Twitter: @ihavenetnews

 

 

Coyotes Top Blackhawks in OT; Hossa Hospitalized After Hit