The Blackhawks fall to the Minnesota Wild by a final score of 3-2 in a shootout and have now picked up at least a point in their first 7 games this season.
Minnesota opened up the scoring just 1:30 into the first period when Matt Cullen snuck behind a couple Chicago defenders burying home a rebound for his first goal of the year.
The Blackhawks responded roughly four minutes later when Andrew Shaw found the back of the net for the first time this season assisted by Bryan Bickell who created the play driving hard to the net.
Jonathan Toews was quick to extend the Blackhawks’ lead slipping a shot underneath Wild goaltender Josh Harding’s five-hole giving the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead.
It didn’t take long for Wild head coach Mike Yeo to make a move, electing to substitute Josh Harding with starting net-minder Niklas Backstrom.
Chicago committed two penalties towards the later stages of the first period which set up a 5-on-3 advantage for Minnesota, but Corey Crawford and the Blackhawks penalty kill unit came up strong to preserve their one-goal lead.
59 seconds into the second period, Cal Clutterbuck tied the game redirecting a shot from the point.
The two teams exchanged penalty kills in the final 20 minutes, but a scoreless third period sent the game to overtime and eventually a shootout.
Zach Parise and Toews traded first round goals in the shootout, but Cullen potted the game-winner in the third round.
Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane each registered an assist tonight and have now recorded at least a point in 6 of the first 7 games.
Crawford was tested early and performed large again stopping 23 of 25 shots (.920 save %) on the night, including 15 first period.
Power Play: 0-for-2
Penalty Kill: 4-for-4
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Blackhawks head to Vancouver to battle the Canucks for the first time this season on Friday night; puck drop at 9:00pm CT!
(For more Blackhawks coverage, please visit http://www.hawkeyonthefly.com/)
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