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Anaheim Ducks beat Chicago Blackhawks to edge closer to Stanley Cup finals

Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks
Image: Anaheim Ducks: Closing in on ticket to the Big Dance

The Anaheim Ducks blew a two-goal lead in the final minutes of their Western Conference final against Chicago, but redeemed themselves in overtime to notch a 5-4 victory and come within one win of the Stanley Cup finals.

It was the third game of the series to go into overtime but unlike Saturday's double-overtime marathon win for Chicago, this one ended quickly as left winger Matt Belesky converted a pass from Ryan Kesler 45 seconds in.

That goal quashed a determined effort by the Blackhawks, who fought back from a first-period three-goal deficit and tied the game with two goals in the final two minutes of normal time from center Jonathan Toews.

The game went Anaheim's way early, the Ducks 2-0 up by the six-minute mark on goals by Cam Fowler and Kesler while Sami Vatanen made it 3-0 before the period was over.

But the Blackhawks, who have been comfortable living on the edge in this post-season with four overtime wins, narrowed the lead in the second on goals by Teuvo Teravainen before Patrick Maroon restored a two-goal cushion for the Ducks early in the third.

The win puts the Ducks up 3-2 in the series and within one win of their third Stanley Cup final series. They previously won the Cup in 2007, while the Blackhawks are five-time champions, their last success coming two years ago.   

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