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Blackhawks rally past Lightning, spoil Stamkos' hat trick

Feb 18, 2009 - 4:38 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks scored four unanswered goals to overshadow a career night from top overall pick Steven Stamkos.

Captain Jonathan Toews tallied twice as the Blackhawks stormed back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-3, on Tuesday.

All-Star Patrick Kane added a goal and two assists, defenseman Duncan Keith tallied and assisted on another and Dave Bolland also scored for Chicago, which overcame the first career hat trick from top overall pick Steven Stamkos.

"It's obviously a memorable game for me," Stamkos said. "Anytime you get a hat trick it's pretty special, but to do it on home ice in Tampa in my rookie season is a dream come true for me.

"I give credit to my teammates. I had some pretty good passes and I was able to capitalize on some power-play chances. This was the best feeling of the year for me so far, but I'd much rather have the win."

The 19-year-old Stamkos became the first rookie in Tampa Bay's franchise history to register a hat trick, but it was still not enough as the Lightning lost for the seventh time in nine games (2-6-1).

"It's big because he (Stamkos) knows he can play against a quality team like that," Tampa Bay interim coach Rick Tocchet. "If you look at Chicago, they've got some good young players that are in their second, third years - this is Stamkos' first year. It's a measuring stick for him."

The native of Scarborough, Ontario scored three straight goals bridging the first and second periods for a natural hat trick and a 3-1 advantage.

However, Chicago dominated play for much of the contest, holding a 49-23 advantage in shots on goal - and it paid off in the third.

"I like the way we're playing," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "We didn't change much and we just kept coming."

Cristobal Huet stopped 20 shots in net for the Blackhawks, who improved to 7-3-0 in their last 10 games while playing nine of 10 on the road.

After Toews scored on the power play with just 48 seconds left in the second period to cut the deficit to one at 3-2, the Blackhawks came out on fire in the final period.

"You try to hold the fort," Tocchet said. "They had three power-play goals and that was the key for them. To beat a team like that, you have to play really disciplined and smart. You can't give them freebies. I think we took a couple of penalties that were kind of stupid."

Tampa Bay defenseman Lukas Krajicek was whistled for interference just 29 seconds into the session and Kane made the home team pay 77 seconds later with his 18th goal of the season.

"It's definitely nice to score a goal," said Kane, who scored for just the second time in 22 games.

"You could see by my reaction that I was pretty happy. It's nice to get off the schneid there, nice to contribute. With the absence of (Patrick Sharp) obviously some players have got to step up and we got contributions from a lot of players tonight."

Sharp is expected to miss two to three weeks after suffering a lower body injury during Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Dallas Stars.

Bolland flipped in a loose puck in front of goaltender Karri Ramo to put Chicago ahead with 7:14 remaining in the game, and Toews doubled the lead with 4:01 remaining to seal the win.

Ramo made a season-high 44 saves in net for Tampa Bay.