CHICAGO, April 24 (UPI) -- Ben Smith's goal 15:30 into overtime Sunday handed the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 win over Vancouver, forcing a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
Marian Hossa worked the puck deep into the Vancouver zone and found Niklas Hjalmarsson in the high slot. His blast was stopped by Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo with an arm save, but Smith shoveled in the rebound over the prone netminder.
The goal allowed the defending NHL champions to avoid elimination with their third straight win after going down 0-3 to the Canucks.
It set up a decisive seventh game Tuesday in Vancouver.
Chicago forced overtime 2 1/2 minutes into the third period when Michael Frolik scored on a penalty shot to forge a 3-3 tie.
Starting Vancouver goalie Cory Schneider (17 saves) was injured on the play and was replaced by the Luongo, who stopped 12-of-13 shots the rest of the way after being benched for ineffectiveness.
Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland also scored for the Blackhawks, who will try to become only the fourth team in NHL history to come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a post-season series.
Daniel Sedin, Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa scored for the Canucks.
