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Stars shut down Blackhawks

Mar 18, 2011 - 5:36 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Kari Lehtonen made 23 saves to backstop the Dallas Stars to a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in a battle between playoff-hopeful clubs at American Airlines Center.

Jamie Benn and Brenden Morrow both registered a goal and an assist for Dallas, which avoided a third straight loss and improved to 2-2-1 on its seven-game homestand. The Stars also moved into a tie with Chicago for sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

"We really wanted to win this one," said Lehtonen. "We played the right way and did all the things right and be responsible in all three zones."

Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford was pulled early in the second period after allowing three goals on 10 shots. Marty Turco turned away 15 shots in relief.

The Blackhawks have dropped four of five.

Steve Ott beat Crawford on a breakaway to open the scoring with 2:23 remaining in the first period.

The Stars extended their lead to 3-0 with a pair of goals in the middle stanza.

Benn one-timed a Mike Ribeiro pass to finish off an odd-man rush 61 seconds into the frame then Morrow lit the lamp off a feed from Benn at 3:35.

Jason Williams and Brandon Segal tacked on goals in the third period.

"I'm not a psychologist...I don't know why we decide to pack it in like that," admitted Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. "I'm not pointing the finger at anyone else, I'm included."

Game Notes

Benn extended his point streak to nine games (8G, 5A)...Lehtonen recorded his second shutout of the season and 16th of his career...Ribeiro and Brad Richards both had two assists.