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| - Lineup |
 Post-Game Comments: Jim Vandermeer |
| Post-Game Comments: P. Lalime / R. Bourque |
| Post-Game Comments: Denis Savard |
| - Photo Gallery |
For the second time in a week, the Blackhawks capitalized with a shorthanded goal to beat Central Division rival St. Louis 4-2 at the United Center Friday.
Rene Bourque's shortie at the start of the 2nd period proved to be the game-winner as teammate Duncan Keith's shot bounced off his hip just outside the goal crease to trickle past Blues goalie Manny Legace. It was Bourque's 1st goal of the campaign.
Last week in St. Louis, Patrick Sharp scored two shorthanders in the final period to give the Hawks a 3-2 victory. Sharp also assisted on the goal that came 16 seconds into the middle frame with Jason Williams in the penalty box.
It was Chicago's 5th shorthander of the season to tie Ottawa for the most in the league.
The Hawks' power play connected twice late in the 1st period to grab the lead after the Blues had gone ahead on a power play by Steve Wagner midway through the stanza on a 45-foot screen shot. Hawks rookie Patrick Kane tied the game at 15:54 when his 20-footer went off Legace's glove.
It was his 6th goal of the year to tie him for the team lead. He added an assist in the final period to continue to pace the squad in total points (6-13=19).
Defenseman Jim Vandermeer gave the Hawks the lead less than three minutes later on another power play when his long shot found the back of the net thanks to screens from Adam Burish and Martin Lapointe.
Chicago dominated play, outshooting St. Louis 25-14 through the first two periods, and 31-25 for the game.
The Blues came into the contest with the 2nd best penalty killing percentage but the Hawks were successful twice in four attempts.
St. Louis cut the margin to 3-2 midway through the 2nd period on their second power play goal with rookie David Perron's 2nd career NHL tally. Perron's 30-footer went over the right shoulder of Hawks goalie Patrick Lalime.
Lalime boosted his record to 4-1 this season and made several key saves, most notably at the start of the 3rd period against veteran sniper Paul Kariya at the tail end of a St. Louis power play.
Yanic Perreault added his 2nd goal in as many games on an empty-netter at 18:56 as he was set up by Kane after Legace was pulled for an extra attacker.
Coach Denis Savard was pleased with his team's solid effort, especially in the first half of the game, but cautioned that his players have to cut down on turnovers and are picking up too many penalties.
He credited Bourque with a strong game en route to being named the #1 star.
The Hawks wind up the current homestand Sunday (6 pm) against arch rival and division leader Detroit at the United Center.
The Red Wings are the hottest team in the NHL and have won nine straight to set a franchise record. The Hawks handed them their last defeat and have beaten them in both meetings this season.
AP Notes: Chicago RW Martin Havlat missed his 15th game because of a shoulder injury, but has resumed practicing with contact. Blackhawks D Andrei Zyuzin missed his sixth game due to an injured hip muscle and LW David Koci missed his sixth with a broken nose. ... Chicago LW Sergei Samsonov returned to the lineup after sitting five games as a healthy scratch. ... St. Louis C David Backes missed his second game with a knee injury and is expected to be out four weeks.
Blues Quotes
Head coach Andy Murray: "It’s difficult for us to win a hockey game when... I don’t know if we did have five of our forwards play at average or above that. It’s difficult when you have 12 forwards dressed to have at least seven guys playing under the standard."
Goaltender Manny Legace: "As soon as we get down 3-1, we turned it on. We’re not a team that can do that. We get behind a couple goals, it’s tough to come back."
Center Keith Tkachuk: "We lost. That’s all that matters."
| Three star selections | |
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Winning Goaltender |
Losing Goaltender |
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