|
 Leclaire had to make a handful of tough saves, although the tight-checking Blue Jackets limited Chicago's offensive space and chances.
Boll scored his fifth goal of the season on a deflection in the second period, his first score in 15 games.
Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago's highest-paid player, made his first start in six games. Khabibulin made 26 saves, but his personal losing streak reached eight games (0-7-1).
Backup Patrick Lalime started the Blackhawks' previous five contests and won four straight before Chicago lost 3-2 at San Jose on Tuesday. Khabibulin hasn't won since Dec. 26.
Among Khabibulin's nine saves in the scoreless first period was a point-blank stick stop on David Vyborny during a Columbus power play midway through the period.
Boll's deflection at 7:20 of the second turned out to be the game's only goal. Standing in the slot, he redirected Ole-Kristian Tollefsen's shot from the left wing past Khabibulin on the stick side.
[to top of second column]
 |
Leclaire wasn't heavily tested in the second, but made saves on one-timers by Patrick Sharp from the slot early in the period and by Brent Seabrook from the left circle late in the frame.
During a delayed penalty call, Leclaire made a point-blank save on Adam Burish as 6:04 of the third. He then robbed Robert Lang with a right pad save from the edge of the crease with 8:03 left.
Notes: The Blackhawks played without six regulars, all forwards -- Jonathan Toews (knee), Jason Williams (sports hernia), Kevyn Adams (knee), Dave Bolland (broken finger), Martin Lapointe (bruised kidney) and Kris Versteeg (shoulder). ... The Blackhawks play their next seven games on the road and don't return to the United Center until Feb. 17. ... Chicago LW Ben Eager returned after missing 13 games with a concussion. ... Columbus C Sergei Fedorov missed his fourth game with a concussion. Blue Jackets D Dan Fritsche sat out his first game with a lower back sprain.
[Associated Press]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
|
