Blackhawks 0 - 3 Hurricanes
Final
  for this game

Ward blanks Blackhawks

Oct 29, 2011 - 3:30 AM Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Cam Ward was spectacular, making 30 saves to notch his first shutout of the season and 17th of his career as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-0.

"I felt like I was seeing the puck really well, that was because of the guys in front of me," Ward said.

Tim Brent, Brandon Sutter and Jiri Tlusty tallied for the Hurricanes, who snapped a three-game skid.

Corey Crawford stopped 30-of-33 shots for Chicago, which won three of its past four games heading in. The Blackhawks have never won at the RBC Center and have not earned a win at Carolina since January 14, 1998, a 4-1 decision at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Brent won the draw from the right circle, and Gleason wristed a shot on net. The puck got tipped by Brent's stick and past Crawford to give the Panthers a quick 1-0 lead just 3:08 into the opening period.

Jonathan Toews had a breakaway chance in the second period, but Ward made a fantastic save. Toews skated in from the right side and snapped a shot from the slot, but Ward made an excellent pad save and knocked the puck into the left corner.

A penalty shot was awarded to Eric Staal when he was tripped up on a breakaway late in the second period. Staal came in from the left on the penalty chance, and faked before lifting a forehand shot from the left side of the crease. Crawford came up big, stoning Staal with a nice stick save.

Seconds after Ward fought away numerous Blackhawk chances on their power play, Sutter broke free on a breakaway and finished with a hard wrister in the upper-left corner to make it a 2-0 game 5:39 into the third period.

Bryan Allen raced down the left wing and made a perfect pass to Tlusty from behind the net, who had an easy tip-in to make it 3-0 with 4:53 remaining in the game.

Game Notes

Carolina travels to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers on Saturday night, while the Blackhawks head home to square off against Columbus on Saturday night...Ward recorded four shutouts last season...Carolina is 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings.






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