Blackhawks - Blue Jackets

Toews Company, Sea's a Crowd...

Chicago's first line sinks Blue Jackets in OT, extend point streak to 21

Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook combined in overtime on Friday night to help the Chicago Blackhawks over the line against the injury-ridden Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center.

Chicago, currently enjoying a streak of 21 games without a loss in regulation, were up against a Columbus outfit with the fewest total points in the league this season. With these division rivals occupying opposite ends of the league standings, it would seem on paper to have been an unquestionable mismatch, and indeed there was minimal concern over the likelihood of the Blackhawks record-breaking streak ending any time soon.

However, it was in the first minute that the Blue Jackets silenced the Chicago home crowd, as Vinny Prospal  capitalised on a rebound to shoot past Ray Emery and give the travelling Columbus side a 1-0 lead.

Viktor Stalberg tied the game with 3:51 left in the first after a rebound came lose from Brandon Saad's shot on the powerplay. Stalberg continued his excellent record against Columbus (11 goals and 2 assists in 15 games) after fighting his way through a scrum in front of Steve Mason's net.

It was the Blue Jackets who wrestled back the authority however, as Artem Anisimov restored their lead mid-way through the second period. His shot deflected off the left skate of Chicago's Daniel Carcillo before beating Emery in net.

The Blackhawks began to dig deep and soon showed how they have managed to keep producing results in increasingly tight contests. Hawks winger Patrick Sharp cut down the left before releasing a sharp-angle backhand shot which beat Mason after striking the Columbus goaltender's blocker.

All over: Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook wheels away to the delight of the home crowd after netting the winner in overtime.

Within a minute, a 2-on-1 break involving Stalberg and Bryan Bickell gave Chicago the go-ahead goal, as the latter fired a wrist shot into the top right hand corner of the net. 

Chicago have a record of 12-0-3 in games decided by a single goal, and this contest looked to maintain this pattern of consistency. However, Ryan Johansen scored for the Blue Jackets with 7:37 left in the third to break his 37 game goal drought and take the game to overtime.

The winning goal was something of a masterpiece, as captain Jonathan Toews was released down the left wing. Powering past his opposing defenseman, he shaped to shoot before throwing the puck across the goal for Seabrook to fire into an open net. 

Scorer of the Hawks' third goal, Bryan Bickell, mentioned the determination keeping the team going. 

'We were down early in this game. It shows the character in this dressing room to come back. We're just having a blast right now'.

'They had us on our heels a couple of times, but it was good to see Brent get on the rush and pop the OT winner'.

Ray Emery was the less busy of the two goaltenders, as the hawks toppled the Blue Jackets for the second time in a week, after a 1-0 victory the previous Sunday.

For Chicago, Friday's victory meant a tenth straight win over Columbus, dating back to February 18th 2011.