Red Wings’ Collapse Allows Blackhawks to Force Game Seven

For the seventh time in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs the Red Wings were outscored in the third period, with a final-frame collapse by Detroit on Monday giving the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 win to force a deciding Game Seven.

Detroit carried a 2-1 lead into the third in Monday’s Game Six with the opportunity to eliminate Chicago. Instead, the Blackhawks scored three times in the first ten minutes of the period.

Michal Handzus tied things up just 51 seconds into the period when he was left alone at the side of the net to take a pass from Niklas Hjalmarsson. He then made a quick move on Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard to make it 2-2.

At 5:48 it was Bryan Bickell who was left all alone, untouched at the top of the crease as he banged in the rebound of a Jonathan Toews chance and put the Blackhawks out in front.

Carlo Colaiacovo’s slash on Michael Frolik during a breakaway at 9:43 gave Frolik a penalty shot, on which he converted to put Chicago up 4-2.

Damien Brunner scored for the Red Wings in the final minute to pull them back to within a goal but Detroit would be unable to force overtime.

Marian Hossa had crashed the net at 3:53 of the first period to knock the puck past Howard for a power play goal to give Chicago the early lead.

With 1:09 left in the opening frame Patrick Eaves gathered up the rebound of a Drew Miller chance and shoveled it past Chicago netminder Corey Crawford, tying things back up.

Joakim Andersson’s knuckling shot from the left wing midway through the second gave Detroit a 2-1 lead.

Howard finished the night with 24 saves on 28 shots while Crawford stopped 35 of 38 chances.

The Blackhawks scored on one of five power play tries and added another on Frolik’s penalty shot. Detroit was scoreless on three attempts with the man-advantage.

Game Seven will be on Wednesday.