Chicago’s Ben Smith (28), the Avon native, controls the puck as New York’s Casey Cizikas (53) pursues in Thursday’s game on Long Island. The Islanders won in OT, 3-2. (Photo courtesy Chicago Blackhawks)
UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Avon native Ben Smith scored his fifth goal of the year Thursday night to tie the game but the New York Islanders topped the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime, 3-2 at the Nassau Coliseum.
It was the first of a two-night, two-game series in the Tri-State area for the Blackhawks. Chicago plays at New Jersey in Trenton on Friday night.
New York’s Kyle Okposo scored 58 seconds into overtime past Chicago goalie Corey Crawford to give the Islanders the victory. It was his 16th goal of the season and it gave the Islanders their third straight win.
New York led 2-0 late in the second period on goals by Casey Cizikas and Thomas Vanek. Chicago’s Brent Seabrook scored a power-play goal with 1:36 left in the second period to cut the lead to one goal.
Smith tied the game less than two minutes into the third period after Chicago’s Patrick Sharp carried the puck to the net and tried to jam a shot through Nabokov’s pads. Nabokov made the save, but Smith lifted the rebound into the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Crawford, making his return after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury, looked sharp making 31 saves. He stopped Brock Nelson on a breakaway shortly after Smith’s goal and robbed Tavares alone in front less than two minutes later. But Crawford’s best save came with just under 2:00 remaining when he used his glove to rob Okposo on a wide-open one-timer from the slot.
Goalie Evgeni Nabokov made 37 saves for the Islanders (14-21-7). Chicago slips to 28-7-8.
Smith was selected as the third start of the game for his overall strong play. He played over 12 minutes and had three shots. It’s his second point in three games. Smith had an assist on Saturday night in a win over St. Louis.
Material from NHL.com used to help compile this report.
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