CHICAGO: The Chicago Blackhawks matched a NHL record start to a season yesterday, beating the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 to post their 16th consecutive game where they earned at least one point.
Chicago is now 13-0-3 this season and have tied the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks’ record of points from consecutive games.
The Blackhawks host the San Jose Sharks on Friday where they will have an opportunity to beat the record. Chicago’s Andrew Shaw beat Vancouver goaltender Cory Schneider with a nifty high backhand shot in the third round of the shootout. Canucks forward Ryan Kesler was the next shooter and had a chance to extend the shootout, but Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery made a glove save to give them the victory.
“I guess you can get some pretty ones once in a while,” Shaw said. “I heard my name and I was nervous. But I won’t forget this.”
Slovakia’s Marian Hossa had two goals while Canadian Patrick Sharp also scored for the Blackhawks, who have now won three straight.
There was disappointment for the Blackhawks however when star forward Hossa was injured in the third period, after taking a forearm to the head from Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen, and had to leave the game.
Hossa, who has a history of concussions, will be checked by team doctors on Wednesday.
Sweden’s Daniel Sedin, Kevin Bieksa and Alexander Edler scored singles for the Canucks, who have lost their last three contests. Chicago led 3-1 with three minutes left in the third period. But Edler and Bieksa both scored on slapshots to tie the game with one minute left in the period and force the overtime. AFP
