Chicago Blackhawks defeat San Jose Sharks, 4-3 – NHL Update
Chicago Blackhawks ended San Jose Sharks’ two-game winning streak after beating them, 4-3, on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at the United Center, Chicago.
The Blackhawks remained dominant for most part of the game and face restrictions when they were least mattered.
Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg, Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw scored a goal each, while the goalie, Corey Crawford, made 21 saves to help the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks got a two-goal lead in the first period. The Sharks responded sternly in the second period to level the scores, but Blackhawks scored another goal to end the period with their lead.
In the final period, they struck another goal, while the Sharks also scored a consolation goal.
"It was probably the best game we've had," Stalberg said. "We've got a little more confidence. ... I don't know if they had a shot against us on a shift, and we had chances every shift."
In the first period, Chicago’s Sean O’Donnell and Sharks’ Brad Winchester was sent off for five minutes for fighting with each other.
Late in the period, the Blackhawks registered the first goal of the game. Jimmy Hayes sent a pass from behind the net to Bolland, who fired a wrist-shot to beat the goalie, Antti Niemi.
Just before the end of the period, Toews sent a pass to Stalberg, who tipped the puck into the net, taking the score to 2-0.
The Sharks started the second period quite well. Within the first three minutes they equalised the scores, but the rest of the period belonged entirely to the Blackhawks.
Joe Pavelski and Jamie McGinn scored a goal each within the span of 60 seconds to score two take the score to 2-2.
However, the Blackhawks did not allow the opponents to settle. Stalberg beat Niemi and sent the puck to Patrick Kane, who set up Toews for the Blackhawks’ third goal of the game.
The Blackhawks extended the lead early in the first period through a goal by Shaw, who scored on a rebound after his first shot was saved by the goalie.
Tommy Wingels scored first goal of his career to reduce the deficit, but no other scoring move could be made after Wingels’ goal.
"We need to just focus on one game at a time and the task at hand, and not worry too much about [the standings]," Toews said after the victory. "If you're watching the standings all the time, it's one of those things that might get in your head a little
bit. We finished off a good week and we've got to keep at it – and keep playing the way we have."
The Blackhawks, who are leading the Western Conference, are going to face Buffalo Sabres in their next game on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.
On the other hand, the Sharks are now going to face Calgary Flames on Tuesday, January 17.
Tags: