The Blackhawks, the one good pro team in this town continued to roll as they knocked off a nemesis,the hated Detroit Red Wings 3-0 before a very loud crowd which for a change had very few Wings Fans. The Red Wings are short handed to be sure and do not look anything like the one that ousted the Hawks in five games in last Spring’s Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, or even the one that will likely get healthier later this season. In fact,Detroit was pretty much shut down in this one,mustering just 20 shots on Cristobal Huet who earned his third shutout of the season and sixth in total by the Hawks. Duncan Keith scored what proved to be all the Hawks needed with a slap shot that whistled past a screened Chris Osgood to make it 1-0 after one period. Then Brian Campbell netted his third of the season,and second of the current home stand to make it 2-0,again Osgood may have been unable to see the shot. The one goal that Osgood likely would like to have back was off the stick of Dustin Byluglien who’s slapper handcuffed the Wings goalie who did make 32 saves on the night. The third period was scoreless as the Hawks continued to deliver a message to the rest of the Western Conference(which the Hawks now lead in points)and the entire NHL.
NOTES—Huet was chosen as the NHL’s “#1 Star” for thepast week. ….The Hawks host San Jose Tuesday night, then tarvel to Joe Louis Arena for a rematch with Detroit Wednesday evening.
LES