EXTRA THRILLS
HAWKS RALLY WITH THREE IN THIRD; HOSSA WINS IT AGAIN
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — For years now, the Blackhawks have had the firm belief that they’re never out of a game, that they have the firepower, the experience and the sheer force of will to pull out a victory in almost any situation.
After the Hawks’ furious threegoal third period in a wild 4- 3 overtime victory Saturday against the Canucks, the rookies now know that, too.
‘‘ In the locker room between the second and third, everyone was still chatting, saying what we needed to do, things we needed to do a little better,’’ winger Vinnie Hinostroza said. ‘‘ Guys are saying: ‘ We’re coming back. There’s no way we’re losing this one.’ It’s definitely cool to hear that and be a part of the comeback.’’
Hinostroza was a big part of it. So were Ryan Hartman, Nick Schmaltz, Richard Panik and Michal Kempny, all of whom had big third periods. It was Marian Hossa who scored the game- winner after a breathless overtime that saw Jonathan Toews’ apparent winner overturned because the play was offside. But it was the kids who pulled this one out.
Surely angry and likely a bit embarrassed after trailing 3- 0 through two periods against one of the worst teams in the league, the Hawks looked like a different team to start the third. A penalty on Daniel Sedin in the first minute gave them a power play, and Artemi Panarin unleashed a one- timer off a pass from Patrick Kane seconds after the power play ended to give the Hawks some life.
Hinostroza then made a nice move to the net around Alexander Edler and followed his own shot for his first NHL goal and point. Hinostroza leaped into the glass to celebrate, and the Hawks suddenly trailed only 3- 2 and had all the momentum.
The Canucks were hanging on for dear life, as they withstood a shot by Brian Campbell off the crossbar and a Hawks power play. But at 15: 46, Hinostroza found Hartman in the slot, and Hartman beat goalie Jacob Markstrom for the equalizer, leaving the beleaguered Canucks fan base more bummed than stunned.
‘‘ It was definitely exciting,’’ Hinostroza said of his first points. ‘‘ Been thinking about it a lot, actu- ally, so it’s nice to get that out of the way and hopefully keep producing.
‘‘ I think last year in the AHL it took me 20 games to score. And it was probably about a year ago any day now. I thought it was about time to put one in, and my linemates were playing great.’’
After Toews’ apparent winner in the opening seconds of overtime, Markstrom already was gone, hav- ing broken his stick on the way to the dressing room.
The next four minutes were a blur of golden scoring chances, with Hawks goalie Scott Darling making several huge stops, including one on the Sedin twins and one on a breakaway by Loui Eriksson. Kane had a breakaway turned aside by Markstrom, as well. Finally, it was Hossa who broke through in the final minute of overtime.
‘‘ We didn’t panic,’’ Hossa said. ‘‘ We knew there’s still 20 minutes left, and this team is able to score three goals in a period. Just a great start of the third period and a big third goal by our young guys. Beautiful play by three of them.’’
The Hawks found themselves down 3- 0 through two periods largely because of poor puckhandling and uninspired play. But the third was a different story, albeit a familiar one for the Hawks, who have made third- period rallies a staple of their game.
‘‘ This group found a way to win,’’ Hossa said. ‘‘ There’s so much leadership in this room. We never give up, and that was a great example.’’
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