Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Riley Stillman scored his first-career goal with 3 minutes, 1 second left in the third period to force overtime, and Alex DeBrincat netted the game-winner for a 2-1 shocker against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday in Raleigh, N.C.
The comeback victory halted a six-game losing streak and was the Hawks’ third win against Hurricanes to close the series series. The Hawks, who were eliminated from playoff contention Monday, have two games remaining against the Dallas Stars on Sunday and Monday at the United Center.
“It was one of the things, puck got wrapped around the boards, I just touched it back to (Pius Suter), (who) made a good shot,” Stillman said. “Just happened to touch it and glad it went in.
“It was huge. I had a couple of opportunities during the game, and I had couple of opportunities in the past, but it was big to get that first one out of the way.”
The Hurricanes were 25-0-3 when leading after two periods.
Goalie Collin Delia turned in another strong performance, his only goal allowed coming during a play in which Duncan Keith lost possession during a collision and left Delia to fend for himself against a two-man rush. He made 36 saves.
For more than 21/2 periods, the Hawks threw just about everyone and everything they had at Petr Mrazek, but the Hurricanes goaltender foiled every attempt.
Keith and Brett Connolly left the game with injuries and didn’t return. Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said afterward that both suffered concussions.
Mrazek survived multiple rushes, including a 3-on-1, MacKenzie Entwistle’s near-miss, Alex DeBrincat’s shorthanded backhander that drew iron and Patrick Kane’s streaking attack with a second left in the second period.
Mrazek entered the game ranked second in goals-against average (1.75) among goalies who played at least four games.
During the Hawks’ power play in the first period, Keith slipped while trying to keep the puck in the zone, and his head hit linesman Ryan Gibbon’s knee as Keith tried to stand. The puck drifted and teed to Martin Necas’ shorthanded breakaway goal during a two-on-none rush with Sebastian Aho.
With 2:20 left in the second, Connolly and Steven Lorentz accidentally collided as Connolly apparently didn’t see Lorentz in his path. Connolly was helped off the ice.
Keith’s absence left the Hawks with five defensemen, a situation they faced several times recent weeks. One of the remaining blue liners was Alec Regula, who made NHL debut.
Ian Mitchell and Nicolas Beaudin were healthy scratches, and Calvin de Haan (hip) hasn’t played since April 21.
Kirby Dach officially done for the season
Dach was held out of Tuesday’s game because of scar tissue aggravation in his surgically repaired right wrist, and team physician Michael Terry issued a statement Thursday saying the 20-year-old center would be shut down: “After aggravation of his right wrist injury, Kirby Dach continues to have some post-operative discomfort. We elected with Kirby to rest him for the final three games of the season.”
Dach broke his wrist while playing for the Canadian junior team in December. He returned March 27 and had two goals and eight assists in 18 games but admitted he played through pain.
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