In an outstanding overtime effort, the Chicago Blackhawks beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 with the winning goal by Dustin Byfuglien and 44 solid saves by Antti Niemi.

Additionally, Jonathan Toews broke a franchise record by scoring at least one point in 12 consecutive playoff games. Stan Mikita previously held the record, set in 1962, and was in attendance at the United Center on Friday for his 70th birthday celebration.

Toews scored not only the record-breaking point, but also the game-tying point by assisting Patrick Sharp with a pass across the mouth of the goal in the second period.

With the game tied at 1-1, Dave Bolland, who had three penalties, scored on a breakaway in the third period. However, the Sharks quickly reacted with a goal by Patrick Marleau, his second of the night, to tie the game at 2-2 with 4:23 left.

Approaching the 13 minute mark, Bolland swung behind the goal, feeding Byfuglien the puck who then scored the winning goal in a sudden-death overtime.

Game 4 will be played an United Center on Sunday at 2PM and could be the end of the Sharks-Hawks series.

According to ESPN, Sharp said, “They say the fourth win in a playoff series is the hardest to get. We expect that to be the case Sunday.”

Fans tweeted in on the Hawks’s win:

1. 
   tictactoeten Chicago Blackhawks are on a roll … Prediction: they will win the Stanley Cup this year … Whaddya think? 22 May 2010 from HootSuite
2. 
   acomicbookgirl @clever_cupcakes I just want the Blackhawks to win because I don’t want to be in a world where the Sharks are playing for the Stanley Cup 22 May 2010 from Twitter for iPhone in reply to clever_cupcakes
3. 
   iainm23 what ever way you paint the picture the chicago blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup this year. #fact 22 May 2010 from web
4. 
   _ladybyng @DuncanPenn Somtime in June, I’ll cross off “watch the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup” 23 May 2010 from UberTwitter in reply to DuncanPenn

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