Hawks bang into playoffs // Murray scores winning goal in overtime

BLACK HAWKS 4 MAPLE LEAFS 3

If you were wondering how long it would take the Black Hawks tostart playing as if it mattered, the question was answered Sundaynight.

After 4,857 minutes of playing time this season, they startedplaying as if it mattered. They had to. It was time fordesperation.

"I don't know what else you'd call it," saiddefenseman-turned-right wing Keith Brown. "We were down 3-1 to theMaple Leafs and we had to at least tie to get into the playoffs. Weneeded two goals coming back in the third period, and it was now ornever."

With Brown's hitting providing the spark, the Hawks tied it ongoals by Dirk Graham and Bob Bassen 1:31 apart in the third period.

And when Troy Murray's shot hit the net 48 seconds into overtime,the Hawks had a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at thetumultuous Stadium and the final playoff spot in the Norris Division.

The Hawks kept alive the NHL's second-longest streak of playoffappearances at 20 consecutive seasons. They open the playoffsWednesday night at Detroit against the first-place Red Wings.

"We get a new start," Hawks coach Mike Keenan said.

The Hawks looked as if they might be finished after two periods.The Leafs led 3-1 after Vincent Damphousse scored midway in the firstperiod, and Daniel Marois and Gary Leeman scored in the second.

And ex-Hawk Ed Olczyk almost put it away as the third periodbegan.

"I had a couple of chances to make it 4-1," said Olczyk, who wasstopped by goaltender Alain Chevrier. "If I score, we put the gameaway."

Then, about four minutes into the third period, Brown hopped overthe boards to play right wing with Murray and Bassen, and everythingchanged.

"We needed to do something to spark the hockey club," Keenansaid. "He's a good skater and he could forecheck aggressively."

Brown (6-1, 195), Murray (6-1, 195) and Bassen (5-9, 170) beganbanging bodies on the ice and lifting bodies from the seats.

"Brown's crunching body checks made the Stadium come alive,"Keenan said.

The Hawks came back to life when Denis Savard centered from thecorner and Graham buried a shot to bring them close at 5:14. Thendefenseman Trent Yawney sent the puck behind the net to Murray, whohit Bassen in the slot for the tying goal.

All the Hawks had to do was hold on for the tie, but Brown,Murray and Bassen weren't through. On their first shift inovertime, Toronto defenseman Todd Gill was loose with the puck in hisown end. When Murray grabbed it, turned around and hit the top ofthe net with his shot, everything broke loose.

"We were just forechecking, and he (Gill) started skating up thezone," Murray said. "I was just chasing him. I reached in front ofhim and pulled the puck back. His momentum carried him forward and Ihad to stop. I was one-on-one with the goaltender and I took a shotand it went in."

The Hawks mobbed Murray on the ice. On the bench, Savard jumpedinto Keenan's arms. When they adjourned to the dressing room, theplayer who got them started tried to shrug off what he had done.

"I just did whatever I could," Brown said. "I haven't got thegreatest hands in the world, I know that. I was up there (atforward) for a reason, and that's to hit, take the body andcontribute whatever I can to the team."

This time, it was the playoffs.