By ,
Published November 20, 2014
SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) - Antti Niemi made 44 saves to help the Chicago Blackhawks to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in the first game of the NHL's Western Conference finals on Sunday.
Niemi gave up a first period goal to Jason Demers then held out the top-seeded Sharks to allow the Blackhawks to take control of the game and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Patrick Sharp tied the game in the second period and Dustin Byfuglien scored the game-winner with 6:45 remaining to give the visitors the victory.
Evgeni Nabokov made 38 saves for San Jose.
(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/niemi-leads-blackhawks-to-series-opening-win-over-sharks