Oliver Moore Shootout Hero, Blackhawks Defeat Hurricanes 4-3

Artyom Levshunov, the rookie defenseman for Chicago, experienced his “Welcome to the NHL” moment getting absolutely crunched in the corner. Spencer Knight made a few more big stops, including a big rejection on Logan Stankovens’ chance off a turnover. The teams were tied at one heading into the first frame. 

Story continues below.

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Second Period: 

The second period started with Chicago under siege early. Connor Murphy slid across, pads stacked,  the crease making a huge block on Nikolaj Ehlers’ shot. Andre Burakovskys shot marked a turning point in the period as moments later, Chicago’s youngsters would connect for a goal.

Oliver Moore pursued the puck into the corner, getting a spinning backhand pass to Ryan Donato. Donato then fed a wide-open Nick Lardis right in front.

However, the scoring in this game was like a boomerang, going right back to a tie game. When Artyom Levshunov failed a pinch at the red line, 37-year-old Jordan Staal broke free on a 2-on-1 where his shot would get past Spencer Knight to once again even the score. 

Oliver Moore had quite the birthday today. After Nick Lardis got dumped by Alexander Nikishin, Oliver Moore stood up for his teammate. The only caveat? Moore is 5’11, 176 pounds. Nikishin measures out to a whopping 6’3 196 pounds.

After taking three solid hooks, Moore hit the ice, then the dressing room for some quick repairs. The Chicago Blackhawks headed into the third with a man advantage and deadlocked with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Third Period: 

On the Power Play to start the period, everyone’s favorite duo nearly combined for a goal. Frank Nazar entered the zone and left a drop pass for Connor Bedard, whose shot reverberated off the post and across Lenovo Center. Off this rush, Seth Jarvis and Ryan Donato would trade heart-stopping chances that both netminders saved in an action-packed sequence. Later, Frank Nazar would be lit up in the defensive zone, making Blackhawks fans around the world check their pulse, fortunalty Nazar was not hurt on the play.

Soon after, the tie-breaking goal would come from an unlikely source later in the period. Connor Murphy’s drive to the net put him in a perfect position to deke out Freddy Andersen and give the Chicago Blackhawks the advantage late in the third and Murphy’s second of the season. 

However, boomerangs always come back. Less than 60 seconds transpired when Logan Stankoven found the stick of Jackson Blake on a wraparound play.  The game was even as the clock hit triple zeros, North Carolina got treated to some free hockey. 

Overtime/Shootout

Chicago dominated the overtime frame. Connor Bedard and Wyatt Kaiser had great chances on Chicago’s end of the ice. With about a minute left, Seth Jarvis 2-on-1 opportunity was turned aside. After the chance, the resulting stretch pass found Oliver Moore, who sent his chance into the pads of Frederick Andersen. 

In the shootout, Oliver Moore scored the Blackhawks’ second goal to win it on his 21st birthday. The Chicago Blackhawks calmed the Carolina Hurricanes in the tight affair, 4-3. 

Cowboy’s Three Stars of the Game

Oliver Moore, CHI, Modified Gordie Howe Hattrick, 1A, 1 Fight, Shootout Winner

Ilya Mikheyev, CHI, 1G, 1A, 2P 

Joel Nystrom, CAR, First career goal

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