Avalanche 5 - 4 Blackhawks
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Blackhawks, Avs complete home-and-home in Chicago

Oct 22, 2011 - 3:42 PM (Sports Network) - The Colorado Avalanche are among the league leaders in points this season and also one of the best as the visitor. They hope to keep it that way tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks in the opener of a quick two-game road trip.

Colorado has 10 points and owns a 5-0-0 record away from the Rocky Mountains. It is coming off Thursday's 3-1 home loss to the Blackhawks in the opener of a home-and-home series and got its lone goal from Ryan O'Byrne. Semyon Varlamov made 27 saves on 29 shots for Colorado, which had its five-game winning streak come to an end.

"It was a good close game, they dominated play in the first half we seemed to dominate in the second half," O'Byrne said.

In addition to tonight's game at the United Center, the Avalanche will also visit Calgary on the quest.

Avs center Peter Mueller (head) missed Thursday's game and was sidelined the entire 2010-11 season after suffering a concussion late in the 2009-10 campaign. He will miss tonight's meeting with the Blackhawks.

Chicago has won two in a row and four of five games, and will play two straight and four of their next five tests in the Second City.

Patrick Sharp broke a tie early in the third period on Thursday, while Jonathan Toews provided a goal and an assist for the 2009-10 Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, who got an empty-net goal from Marian Hossa and 31 saves out of netminder Corey Crawford.

"We weathered some storms early tonight," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We were in their end the first 10 minutes. Corey did not have to make many great saves but there were no rebounds. We had the right guys killing that penalty and were fortunate to get the empty-netter."

The Blackhawks will host Anaheim on this homestand before hitting the road to Carolina. They will then return to the United Center for a two-game residency versus the Blue Jackets and Predators.

Chicago has won two in a row against the Avalanche and is 14-11-1 in the previous 26 matchups between the two clubs.

Colorado has lost seven of 10 and eight of its last 12 at Chicago.






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