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Anaheim Ducks grab series lead on Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago seemed poised for more overtime magic in Game 5 after scoring two goals late in regulation to force an improbable extra session.

But Matt Beleskey was in no mood for another marathon game.

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Beleskey scored just 45 seconds into overtime to lift the Anaheim Ducks to a 5-4 victory over the Blackhawks for a crucial series lead in the Western Conference finals.

Following a failed Chicago dump-in, Jakob Silfverberg sent a stretch pass up to Ryan Kesler, who embarked on a 2-on-1 into the Blackhawks zone. Corey Crawford kicked aside Kesler's wrist shot, but the rebound went straight to Beleskey, who sent the puck into the top of the net to send the Honda Center faithful into a frenzy.

Sami Vatanen and Kesler each tallied a goal and an assist, Cam Fowler also lit the lamp and Ryan Getzlaf and Silfverberg each supplied two assists.

Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for the Ducks, who will try to book their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals since 2007 in Game 6 at United Center on Wednesday.

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Jonathan Toews scored twice late in regulation, Teuvo Teravainen and Brent Seabrook each finished with a goal and a helper, and Crawford stopped 23 shots for the Blackhawks, who were coming off a 5-4 victory in double overtime on Saturday.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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