RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes may have played their best overall game of the season Friday in beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 at the RBC Center.
With Cam Ward notching 30 saves for his 17th career shutout, the Canes ended their three-game winless streak.
"We got dominated in all areas of the game," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They were the more determined team."
Brandon Sutter's goal at 5:39 of the third period gave the Canes a 2-0 lead, and Jiri Tlusty scored off a Bryan Allen pass to make it 3-0. The Canes snapped a three-game winless streak while the Blackhawks had not lost in regulation since their season opener.
"I thought there was lots of good energy," Canes coach Paul Maurice said.
Sutter took a tripping penalty at 3:33 of the third, but Ward and the Canes killed off the penalty -- Ward stopping a Patrick Kane shot. Sutter then jumped out of the box, took a pass from Jussi Jokinen, skated in from the left wing and blasted a shot past Corey Crawford.
"Usually when you step out (of the box), the last thing you're expecting is a chance like that," Sutter said. "It's always nice to get a chance like that and it's nice to bury it."
Tim Brent's first-period goal accounted for all the scoring until the third.
Brent won a faceoff in the Hawks zone, the puck going back to Gleason at the right point. Gleason unloaded a shot that nicked Brent and got past Hawks goalie Corey Crawford at 3:08 of the first period.
Canes captain Eric Staal took a stick in the face late in the first and left the ice bleeding. Kane was given the double minor for high-sticking but replays showed Dan Carcillo hit Staal just after a faceoff in the Canes' zone.
The Canes did make good use of the four minutes of power-play time, losing faceoff after faceoff. Staal did not return in the first period, but was on the bench for the start of the second with a cut on the bridge of his nose.
Staal failed to score on a penalty shot with 2:38 left in the second period. After a takeway on the Canes' penalty kill, Staal was hooked from behind by Brent Seabrook.
Staal appeared winded and got off a late forehand that Crawford blocked with his pad as Staal could not elevate the puck.
The Canes had a power play early in the second and nearly made it 2-0. Jeff Skinner rifled a rising shot from the low slot that Crawford managed to glove.
Ward then kept it 1-0 for the Canes. Catching the Canes in a line change, the Hawks' Jonathan Toews took a pass at the Carolina blue line and had a breakaway, but Ward knocked away Toews' forehand attempt.
"That was the difference right there," Sutter said of Ward's save. "If he scores that goal they probably get a little momentum. A big stop."
After the game, the Canes announced forward Brett Sutter had been reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Staal's wingers...
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 14:14 — hockeyhickI have no problem with Tlusty getting his shot. His size and skill set, along with his hustle thus far, have earned him a shot. LaRose is not a top nine, much less 1st liner. Mo is struggling to manufacture offense that just isn't there. Personally I would like to see Stewart get a crack once he's healthy...
On another note...T Kab is looking like the horrible waste of money EVERYONE expects. And he looks like Jeff Dunham's next puppet...
Game
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 13:32 — louis12580A good solid effort last night. Everyone was pulling their oars in the same direction. Now let's see how they play tonight. Philly will be a bit angry tonight after their abymsal showing against the Jets, so the 'Canes need to be ready. All that said some of the calls/non calls on both sides were, shall we say, curious. Carcillo's hit on Pitkanen was even questioned by John who rarely questions the officials. The penalty shot awarded was marginal. I've seen worse infractions not called. How all of them missed the Chicago player clearly knock the broken stick towards the 'Canes player knocking the puck off his stick is beyond comprehension. The non-call on Skinner being hooked (2nd. period) was a good one. He (Skinner) could have been called for holding the stick as well.
i am happy with
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 11:16 — esteban1949the win..and so this fan wil not "micro-manage" or attrempt to do so and enjoy the effrots of the entire team at this time...for myself..anything else would spoil the moment..and i hope #13 for the Hawks get 7-14 days off too..but that's another topic for another blog isn't it ?
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!! Go Canes & Checkers !!
AGREE
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 10:58 — NetMinderWhat is LaRose doing on our top line? Tlusty has the size, jump and skill to play with Staal, but LaRose is completely out of his league — too small, embarrassingly slow (outskated to the puck by the Hawks' "D" several times) and it appears that both his skill set and ability to get under the opponents' skin has declined — and what's Mo thinking putting him on the PP? When Rosey was at his very best he was paired with Adams and Adams on the fourth line the year we won the cup. He's still a fourth line winger. Period. Play him there, give him some PK time and put someone on the first line who complements Staal's game.
The Canes played well.
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 10:32 — B11656It was not a physical game like it will be tonight. I thought LaRose got manhandled a little. Tlusty played OK but neither are First line Wingers. Ward was great, Smooth and Steady. I think Mo should Let Him Go again tonight. The Canes played more under control and it showed. Kaberle made a couple of bone head playes but that is what it is. Tonight will be an entirely different style of Hockey especially after Philly losing a 9-8 debacle to the Jets. The refs will be busy tonight. Enough, The East Coast Eagles come to the Beach today to play Our Clippers.
Fun game but..
Fri, 10/28/2011 - 23:51 — Fastfred92Great job tonight but why is our highest paid player being relegated to irrelevance? Staal had no help tonight on his line and that made most of his efforts a waste of time. I don't see how he will be able to play his way out of a slump paired with Chad and Tlusty. Nice goal by Tlusty but only for the efforts of Allen. If the team could play like this night in and night out it makes you wonder what the team could do with #12 paired with a couple legit NHL caliber top line wings..