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Arkhipov's overtime goal help Blackhawks end long skid

Jan 29, 2007 - 12:44 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Denis Arkhipov and the Chicago Blackhawks needed regulation and overtime to finally end their long losing streak.

Arkhipov scored in the final seconds of regulation and in overtime as the Blackhawks edged the Calgary Flames, 4-3, ending their 10-game slide.

Defenseman James Wisniewski and Jeff Hamilton each tallied early for Chicago, which was two losses away from a club-record 12-game losing streak to close the 1950-51 season. The Blackhawks also lost 10 in a row last season.

"There is a bunch of good men in that room and I am proud of them," said Blackhawks coach Denis Savard, who got emotional talking about his team. "I am so happy for them, it's not about me. Some nights you need a little luck, finally we got a little bit of luck."

After Alex Tanguay gave the Flames a 3-2 lead with 3:17 left in the third period, Arkhipov sent the game into an extra session with 44 seconds remaining without lifting his stick.

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith blasted a shot from the top left circle which deflected off the forearm of Arkhipov and just under the crossbar of the net to tie the game at 3-3.

"This is a big win for us after losing 10 straight," Arkhipov said. "Maybe now we can win the next 10 games."

"It's very disappointing to be up late in this game and not be able to put it away," Tanguay said. "Chicago did outplay us for most of the game, but we were able to capitalize on some of our chances."

Arkhipov seemed to injure his arm on the play, going to the bench to have it wrapped.

"The puck hit me up by the shoulder," Arkhipov said. "It wasn't where they were taping me (forearm) on the bench. Just before the goal, I had gotten slashed on the play."

On a power play in the extra session, Tuomo Ruutu gained possession of the puck on a faceoff and delivered it to defenseman Cameron Barker, who found Arkhipov at the top of the right circle.

"The Flames were playing the 4-on-3 well, but then we got it off the wall and moved it out to the middle," Barker said. "From there Arkhipov just got off a great shot."

Arkhipov blasted a shot through traffic and past netminder Mikka Kiprusoff to also help the Blackhawks end an eight-game home losing streak.

"Every time you score in overtime it's a special, special feeling," Arkhipov said.

"The credit goes to the players," Savard added. "The coaches had some individual meetings with some players yesterday, but the credit goes to the players."

Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 19 shots for the Blackhawks, whose four goals matched the total of their previous three games.

Calgary's Daymond Langkow had a goal and assist and Kristian Huselius also scored to extend his points streak to nine games. Huselius has six goals and six assists during his streak.

Tanguay added two assists and Kiprusoff made 36 saves for Calgary, which has lost two straight games and four of six.

"We knew the Blackhawks were trying to get out of their losing streak," Flames coach Jim Playfair said. "But the reality is that we have a bad road record and are trying to address that. We wanted to play a good road game for 60 minutes and we almost accomplished that."