Blackhawks Vs. Coyotes, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 4: Michael Frolik Forces Overtime

With 1:26 to play in the third period and an extra attacker on the ice, Chicago Blackhawks forward Michael Frolik scored his second goal of the series when he backhanded a loose puck into the net behind Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith to force overtime in Game 4 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series.

This will be the fourth consecutive overtime game between the Coyotes and Blackhawks and only one other series in NHL playoff history has seen each of the first four games go to overtime. (The 1951 Stanley Cup Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs)

After two scoreless periods, the Coyotes caught a break when Shane Doan beat Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford with a wrist shot at the 7:03 mark. 44 seconds later, Taylor Pyatt put Phoenix up 2-0 when he beat Crawford with a wrist shot. The Blackhawks battled back, and Brendan Morrison beat Smith with a slap shot midway through the period.

Through 60 minutes, Smith has stopped 28-of-30 shots the Blackhawks have put on net with his forwards and defense blocking another 21 shots. Crawford has had a relatively quiet night, stopping 16-of-18 shots from the Coyotes, including five from defenseman Rostislav Klesla.