|
 Defenseman Adam Clendening started what he hopes is a lengthy NHL
career on a high note, too.
Clendening scored just four minutes into his debut and the
Blackhawks scratched out a 4-3 victory Thursday over the Calgary
Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome, their first stop on a six-game
trek.
"First game, first period, you score a goal. ... It can't get any
better than that," said Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville. "And
you get a win as well, so it's a good start for (Clendening). I
thought he played very well, too."
Clendening was recalled Tuesday from the American Hockey League's
Rockford IceHogs, but it could be awhile before the 22-year-old from
Niagara Falls, N.Y., can get settled in the Windy City.
With the Barnum and Bailey's Circus taking over United Center in
Chicago for 10 days, Thursday's meeting with the Flames marked the
first of six straight road games for the Blackhawks.
 "We enjoy this trip and enjoy being together," said Blackhawks right
winger Patrick Kane, who scored the game-winner Thursday at the 9:12
mark of the third period with a terrific individual effort and also
added an assist against the Flames.
"I think for these circus trips especially, you want to take it a
game at a time and not worry about what the overall record is going
to be at the start. Just take it game-by-game."
So far, so good.
Defenseman Brent Seabrook and left winger Dan Carcillo also lit the
lamp for the Blackhawks (11-7-1), who have now won four of their
past five outings.
Right winger Paul Byron had a goal and a helper, while defenseman
Dennis Wideman and center Sean Monahan also provided the offense for
the Flames (12-7-2), who had their three-game winning streak snapped
and didn't want to talk moral victories after a tight loss to one of
the NHL's elite squads.
"We know we can compete with these teams, so I don't know if there's
much of a positive tonight after a loss," Monahan said. "We just
have to find ways to win. We know we're up there with those teams
and we have a solid group right now and we're rolling, so we're not
happy about the loss."
The Flames erased a two-goal deficit in the first period and then
evened it up after falling behind again in the second, but they
couldn't score a late equalizer after Kane's goal, which was the
result of a miscommunication on what should have been a harmless
dump-in.
Flames goalie Jonas Hiller tried to bank a pass off the end-boards
to one of his teammates, but Kane grabbed the loose puck, stepped
around left winger Sven Baertschi and slipped the would-be winner
past Hiller.
"Without taking anything away from the talent that they have on
their team, we were not sharp," said Flames head coach Bob Hartley.
"On every goal, there's a huge mistake. As we know, this is a game
of mistakes and they have the talent to make you pay."
Clendening's memorable moment came on just his second shift of the
night. With the Blackhawks on the power play, the rookie accepted a
pass from right winger Marian Hossa at the point and fired a low
shot through traffic, fooling Hiller.
[to top of second column] |
"I didn't know it actually went in," Clendening said. "I think it
might have hit off one of their guys and found its way in. As soon
as Hoss put his hands up, I knew it was in. I just couldn't believe
it."
When Carcillo gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead at the 7:12 mark of the
opening period, firing a shot from the left wing that clanged off
the inside of the post, the Flames still hadn't managed a shot on
goal.
The hosts, however, evened things up before the first intermission
with two power-play goals.
With Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger off for interference and
another delayed penalty coming, Byron buried a rebound from the high
slot at the 13:44 mark.
Just 54 seconds later, with Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson
sitting in the penalty box for tripping, Wideman scored on a wicked
slap shot from the point to tie the score.
The Flames and Blackhawks swapped goals again in the second period.
Kane spotted Seabrook in the high slot, and the defenseman zipped a
shot over Hiller's glove hand at the 10:52 mark.
Less than two minutes later, Flames left winger Curtis Glencross
cruised into Chicago's zone and showed great patience before sending
a pass to Monahan, who finished it off with a one-timer.
Blackhawks starter Corey Crawford finished with 24 saves, while
Hiller made 18 stops.
NOTES: The Blackhawks reported Thursday that D Trevor van Riemsdyk
had successful surgery to repair a left patella fracture. ... LW
Michael Ferland returned to Calgary's lineup after missing eight
games due to a concussion. Meanwhile, Flames D Kris Russell missed a
second consecutive contest because of a lower-body issue. Calgary's
lengthy list of injured players also includes C Mikael Backlund
(abdomen), C Joe Colborne (wrist), RW David Jones (upper body), LW
Mason Raymond and C Matt Stajan (knee). ... Blackhawks C Andrew Shaw
didn't face the Flames due to an upper-body injury. LW Patrick Sharp
(knee) is also out for the Blackhawks. ... The Flames wrap up a
five-game homestand with Saturday's date with the New Jersey Devils.
... Calgary was the first stop on a six-game road trip for the
Blackhawks. Up next is a Saturday clash at Edmonton.
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