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 Quenneville isn't doing any complaining these days, that's for
sure. His Blackhawks have now scored 19 goals in their last three
games, including a season-high seven tallies in Wednesday's
dominating 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the United
Center.
"They've gone in the last three games and I thought tonight was kind
of comparable to the last few games," Quenneville said. "The quality
probably wasn't there, but they managed to go in."
With back-to-back 6-2 wins Sunday and Tuesday, the Blackhawks
outscored their opponents 19-6 in the last three games, which also
equals the current winning streak. It's also the first time Chicago
has netted six-plus goals in three consecutive games since the
1992-93 season.
Chicago (23-6-5) continues to lead the NHL in wins (23), goals per
game (3.68) and goals scored (125).
Wednesday's game marked the end of a six-game, 13-day road trip for
the Flyers, who went 2-4 away from home.
"I'm sure that nobody is satisfied with (the outcome)," Flyers coach
Craig Berube said. "I'm certainly not and I don't think my players
are either. I think we could've done a lot better and I'm sure they
think so too."
In much the same way as in the prior two games, the Blackhawks
spread the scoring around in Wednesday's game, with goals by
defenseman Duncan Keith (second goal of the season) and Brent
Seabrook (No. 3), centers Andrew Shaw (No. 10), Michal Handzus (No.
3) and team captain Jonathan Toews (No. 13), right winger Kris
Versteeg (No. 5) and left winger Patrick Sharp (No. 15).
Philadelphia (13-15-3) scored first in the game, at 12:31 of the
first period, on a power-play goal by right winger Jakub Voracek.
But the momentum quickly changed in the second period when the
Blackhawks exploded for five goals against former teammate Ray
Emery, now sharing goaltending duties with Steve Mason on the
Flyers. Emery signed with Philadelphia during the offseason.
"That start to the second was what we're looking for," Quenneville
said. "It was an ordinary first period, but great second period for
us. It kind of went from there."
First, Keith scored just 43 seconds into the middle frame to tie the
game at 1. Then, 39 seconds later, Shaw pulled off a perfect
wrap-around goal past Emery to make it 2-0.
"I think we just have confidence in one another in this room that we
have the ability to win games and I think when we're playing the
right way, everything just takes care of itself," Keith said.
At 5:27, Handzus played a little give-and-go with fellow forward
Marcus Kruger as they closed in on Emery. Handzus lost control of
the puck but it bounced off his skate and trickled into the Flyers
net, a short-handed effort at that.
[to top of second column] |
Philadelphia closed the scoring gap to 3-2 at 6:11 on right
winger Steve Downie's third goal on the power-play past Chicago
goalie Antti Raanta, who stopped 28 of Philadelphia's 30 shots.
Versteeg scored at 9:44 to put the Blackhawks back ahead by two
goals, 4-2. Toews tallied at 14:15 to make it 5-2.
Chicago's onslaught continued in the third period when Seabrook
scored at 1:05. Berube had seen enough at that point, pulling
Emery from his Chicago homecoming and replacing him with Mason.
"We go into the second with the lead and, just kind of a funny
one, I've got to make a save and pucks are kind of bouncing
around a bit," Emery said. "But you can't make excuses. As a
whole we've got to play better in the second."
With Philadelphia's Jay Rosehill (roughing) and Luke Schenn
(elbowing) both sent to the penalty box at 9:13 of the third
period, it took Sharp just 20 seconds to score with a 5-on-3
power-play advantage.
Sharp has been the hottest Blackhawk player of late, now with
six goals in his last eight games.
"It's a credit to our team game," Sharp said. "We know we have
guys in here that can put up big numbers and score goals, but
when we're playing well in all three zones, that's usually when
our offense clicks."
Philadelphia outshot Chicago 30-23 in the game.
NOTES: Attendance was 21,141. The Blackhawks are now only six
games away (206 regular season and 38 playoffs) from 250
consecutive sellouts at the United Center. ... The Flyers return
home to face Montreal on Thursday, are at Washington on Friday
and then play three of their next four games at home. ... The
Blackhawks play at Toronto on Saturday before hosting the Los
Angeles Kings on Sunday. ... Philadelphia still leads the
all-time series with Chicago (55-44-30). ... The Blackhawks
welcomed back former G Ray Emery with a video presentation and
large round of applause from fans. Unlike other players from
last year's team that have moved on to other clubs, Emery did
not acknowledge the video tribute or applause. ... The
Blackhawks and the United Center have been selected to host the
2017 NCAA Men's Hockey Championship (the so-called "Frozen
Four"). Also, the United Center agreed to a 20-year extension of
title rights sponsorship with United Airlines through 2034.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
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reserved.]
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