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Blackhawks aim to rebound from tough loss

Dec 31, 2006 - 5:30 PM Chicago (16-16-5) at Columbus (14-20-4) 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks try to rebound from a tough loss when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

The Blackhawks trailed the Boston Bruins, 4-0, on Friday before storming back with three straight third-period goals from James Wisniewski, Bryan Smolinski and Denis Arkhopov in a span of 4:19 to slice the deficit to a goal. However, the Bruins clinched the win with an empty-net goal with 11 seconds left.

Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin started for Chicago but was pulled after giving up three goals on seven first-period shots. Brian Boucher replaced him and allowed one goal in the 13 shots he faced over the last two periods.

The Blue Jackets, just 1-2-1 in their last four games, will be looking to tighten up defensively after allowing 11 goals in their last two games, both defeats.

Columbus absorbed a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Netminder Ty Conklin, who has only made three appearances this season, allowed four goals on 24 shots in his first start of the season.