Blackhawks win, force Game 7

Associated Press

DETROIT

Bryan Bickell scored a go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Chicago Blackhawks held on to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in Game 6 on Monday night, giving the NHL’s top-seeded team a shot to advance to the Western Conference finals.

The Blackhawks, who trailed the second round series 3-1, began the third down by one and were up by two goals midway through the period after an offensive flurry. They needed the cushion because Damien Brunner scored with 52 seconds left to pull Detroit within one.

The Red Wings pulled their goaltender, but they were unable to score with the extra skater.

Detroit carried a 2-1 lead into the third but Michal Handzus tied it in the opening minute of the final period. Bickell scored about 5 minutes later. Michael Frolik’s backhander on a penalty shot at the 9:43 mark put the Blackhawks ahead 4-2 and silenced the once-raucous crowd.

The Blackhawks will have the fans on their side Wednesday night in Game 7 against seventh-seeded Detroit.

Frolik became first player in league history to score two goals on penalty shots in the playoffs.