Versteeg lifts Blackhawks over Hurricanes in shootout

Hockey Betting Lines

03/11/2009 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kris Versteeg's shootout goal was the difference, and the Chicago Blackhawks cooled off the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2, at United Center.

After the first three rounds of the shootout ended in a 2-2 stalemate, Versteeg's forehand wrister beat Cam Ward just below the crossbar to give Chicago the lead. Sergei Samsonov represented the last hope for Carolina, but Cristobal Huet made the save to secure the win for Chicago, its first over the Hurricanes since 1999.

"I wasn't trying to think too much," Versteeg said. "You try to do your own thing and use it to your advantage. Shoot the puck and hope it goes in."

Troy Brouwer and Versteeg scored in regulation for Chicago, which had lost two straight and five of seven coming into the game. Huet made 29 saves for his 19th win of the season.

"We needed to come out tonight and bring it to them," Versteeg said. "It was a huge game, and all the teams are trying so hard right now to win. We need our own winning streak."

Rod Brind'Amour scored for the third straight game, while former Blackhawk Tuomo Ruutu also tallied for the Hurricanes, who had won four straight and eight of 10. Ward stopped 39-of-41 shots in the loss.

"The standings are so tight, you just have to keep on winning," Ruutu said. "There are six teams trying to get the playoff spots, and it will be a big battle until the end."

The Hurricanes got on the board first, as Samsonov dished across the crease to a wide-open Brind'Amour, who easily tapped the puck into the net at the 5:24 mark of the opening period.

Versteeg tied the game late in the second, wristing a shot past Ward from the left circle while on the rush with 2:52 left in the period.

A four-minute high-sticking penalty on Ruutu killed a Carolina power play and handed the Blackhawks a two-minute man advantage, and the hosts made it count. Patrick Kane skated around the goal and found Brouwer at the other side of the crease, and he tucked it into the net for a 2-1 lead 4:51 into the third.

Carolina pulled Ward in the final moments in an attempt to equalize the game, also receiving a power play with just over a minute to go. The Hurricanes took advantage of the opportunity, as Ruutu scored through traffic from the slot with 27 seconds on the clock, and the game went to overtime.

"It was a good back-and-forth pass for us, and then a hell of a shot," Ruutu said. "It was really awesome."

Kane had the best chance for either team in the extra period, but his shot from in front hit the crossbar, missing a wide-open net, and a shootout was needed to decide the contest.

Game Notes

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville was behind the bench for the 900th time Wednesday...Chicago activated goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin from injured reserve. He had been out with a groin injury...Jonathan Toews' five-game point streak was snapped...Chicago improved to 7-9 in overtime games this season, while Carolina fell to 8-6.

Sportsbok Hockey Betting News

<< Robert Morris wins NEC title in final seconds
Coraopolis, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas Green's jump shot off a broken play with 2.5 seconds left propelled Robert Morris past Mount St. Mary's, 48-46, for the Northeast Conference Tournament title, earning the Colonials their first t

<< Bryant rallies Lakers to win over Rockets
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 37 points and scored 12 of Los Angeles' final 14 points to lift the Lakers to a 102-96 victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Bryant scored 18 points in the

<< T'Wolves snap skid with rout of Grizzlies
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Gomes posted a game-high 25 points to help Minnesota snap its 10-game losing streak with a relatively easy 104-79 drubbing of the Memphis Grizzlies. Kevin Love logged 19 points and 11 rebounds, a

<< Knicks pick up big road win, knock off Pistons in OT
Auburn Hills, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nate Robinson scored 30 points and doled out six assists to help the Knicks upend the Pistons, 116-111, in overtime. Larry Hughes had 22 points, including three free throws with 10 seconds left to send

<< Miami's Wade stays hot, torches Celtics
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dwyane Wade didn't need any theatrics on Wednesday, but his 32-point effort was enough to pace the Heat to a 107-99 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena. The

Anthony, Denver handle Oklahoma City >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carmelo Anthony finished with a game-high 22 points and Linas Kleiza came off the bench to post 20, as Denver snapped its three-game losing streak with a 112-99 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rena

Vaidisova advances; Dokic drops Indian Wells opener >>
Indian Wells, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic handled Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands, while veteran American Jill Craybas upended Aussie Jelena Dokic in Wednesday's first-round action at the $4.5 mi

Syracuse pulls away in second half to down Seton Hall >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf each scored 19 points, as 18th-ranked Syracuse pulled away to beat Seton Hall, 89-74, in a physical second round matchup of the Big East Tournament. Syracuse (24-8) advanced

Niedermayer lifts Anaheim past Vancouver in overtime >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Niedermayer scored in overtime to win it, and the Anaheim Ducks edged the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3, at Honda Center. Teemu Selanne, Petteri Nokelainen and Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Ducks, who snapp

Nowitzki leads Mavs past Blazers >>
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, as the Dallas Mavericks halted the Portland Trail Blazers 12-game home winning streak with a 93-89 win at Rose Garden. Jason Terry poured in

MySportsbook.com Releases World Series Championship Lines

New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox early favorites to win 2008 World Series
The Major League Baseball season starts this weekend and MySportsbook.com, a leading online sportsbook for over 8 years, is the first to offer baseball sports betting lines on who will win the 2007 World Series.

"The World Series is the biggest baseball event in the sports betting world and MySportsbook.com is excited that we are first to market with betting lines on every team," says Tim Dalton, Marketing Director, MySportsbook.com. "We are getting things ready for a great baseball season and our members are looking forward to our Player Payback Bonuses, as well as Dime Lines, all season long."

Going in to this weekend, MySportsbook.com's favorites to win the World Series are the New York Yankees at 7-2 and last year’s winners the Chicago White Sox at 9-2.

"These betting lines are ripe for the picking," Dalton added, "baseball fans know that the season is long and many factors, including players staying healthy, will affect these Future odds as the baseball season progresses. Betting on your favorite team in the beginning of the season could prove quite lucrative. We are seeing examples of this right now in the NCAA College Basketball Tournament with a lucky few that placed pre-season bets on George Mason to win it all. Anything can happen."

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Mastercard needs..

About www.MySportsbook.com
MySportsbook.com is the foremost online sportsbook offering Internet wagering to its worldwide customers. Fully licensed and regulated in St. John’s, Antigua since 1997, MySportsbook.com offers a complete range of online casino games, sports betting lines, poker tournaments and horse racing offtrack betting daily through its portfolio of companies and managed services. With over 7 years of experience, MySportsbook.com has become one of the most respected companies in the gaming industry by providing unparalleled 24/7 customer support and timely payouts. MySportsbook.com is part of the SportingBet PLC group of companies that is publicly-traded on the London Stock Exchange ( LSE ) under the symbol SBT.L. MySportsbook.com provides a secure environment for sports and casino wagering and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including MAXIM Magazine, Cigar Aficionado, and CNN’s Paula Zahn Now among others.