Sharks 3 - 4 Blackhawks
Final
  for this game

Blackhawks hold off Sharks

Jan 16, 2012 - 5:55 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks took a 4-3 decision over the San Jose Sharks at United Center.

Viktor Stalberg also recorded a goal and an assist, while Dave Bolland and Andrew Shaw also lit the lamp for Chicago, which won its third game in four tries.

Corey Crawford allowed three goals on 24 shots in the victory.

"We certainly took it to them right off the bat," said Stalberg. "We sat back a little bit starting off the second period, but overall it was probably one of our most complete games this year."

Joe Pavelski, Jamie McGinn and Tommy Wingels netted goals for the Sharks, who had their eight-game point streak snapped. Antti Niemi stopped 36-of-40 shots in defeat.

Two late first-period goals by the Blackhawks gave them the early advantage.

Bolland struck first with 1:59 remaining in the opening frame when he ripped a shot from a tough angle past Niemi after the goaltender lost track of the puck behind the net.

Then, with 21 seconds left in the period, Stalberg redirected a Toews pass into the net from the slot for a two-goal edge.

But Pavelski got his stick on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic wrister from the point at the 1:42 mark of the second period and McGinn's quick shot from the right of Crawford found its way through the goaltender's pads 26 seconds later to knot the game at two.

Toews, though, gave Chicago back its lead five minutes later, taking advantage of a Niemi turnover by tipping the disc into the open net off a Patrick Kane pass.

"We had full momentum. We had to take the opportunity to pounce on them right away and I don't think we did that. Then they got the next goal and that was key," Sharks forward Jamie McGinn said about the second period.

Shaw extended the Blackhawks' lead 2:37 into the final stanza when he stuffed a rebound into the net.

That goal turned out to be the difference, as Wingels' first career NHL goal off a rebound with 4:57 left in regulation closed the gap.

Chicago's Niklas Hjalmarsson was whistled for hooking with 1:07 to go in the game, giving the Sharks a 6-on-4 advantage with the goaltender pulled, but Crawford stood strong as he was peppered with shots in the closing seconds to hang on for the victory.

Game Notes

Chicago improved to 17-5-4 at home this season...The Blackhawks hold a 2-1 advantage in the season series, with each team winning at home...San Jose went 0-for-3 on the power play...Chicago was scoreless on its lone man advantage.






Related News