Byfuglien Posts Hat Trick As Blackhawks Top Canucks, Take 2-1 Series Edge
May 5, 2010 at 9:23 PM by AHN · Leave a Comment
Vancouver, BC, Canada (AHN) – Dustin Byfuglien pounded home a pair of power-play goals and completed his hat trick in the final period, helping the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal set at General Motors Place.
Kris Versteeg and Marian Hossa also lit the lamp for second-seeded Chicago, which aims to carry the momentum into Game 4 Friday when they visit the Canucks.
After getting thrashed 5-1 on home ice in the series opener, the Blackhawks battled back from a 2-0 deficit and rifled three straight goals in the final minutes of Game 2 to even the series.
On Wednesday, the Blackhawks raced to a 2-0 lead in the first stanza before Jannik Hansen and Alex Burrows put the Canucks on the scoreboard in the second period. The Blackhawks finally controlled the game in the final frame en route to a 2-1 series lead.
Antti Niemi finished with 31 saves for the victors. Roberto Luongo turned aside 30-of 35 shots in defeat.
