Blackhawks' Panik-Stricken During 5-3 Win Over Predators

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators played the second half of a home and home series at the United Center tonight.  Scott Darling got his first start of the season stopping 33 shots, and Richard Panik recorded his first career hat trick as the Blackhawks held off the Preds, 5-3 for their first win of the season.

It didn't come easy as Darling was tested early and often, but he came up with save after huge save.  The Blackhawks went to the penalty box only twice tonight, although they gave up one power play goal.

Nick Schmaltz started the scoring with his first career goal, 6:36 into the first period.  Brent Seabrook followed, as did Panik's first goal of the night, as the Hawks built up a 3-0 lead, half way through the first period.

Then, Nashville decided to make things interesting, by scoring the next two goals, both within 2 minutes of the end of the first and second periods.  The third period started tense, but Panik put fans at ease as he took a Marian Hossa centering pass in front of the net and deposited it past Predators' goalie, Marek Mazanec, to provide a little breathing room, and a 4-2 lead, at the 4:56 mark of the third.  That lasted 5 minutes until Viktor Arvidsson received a 160 foot pass from Mattias Ekholm and got around Brian Campbell and got one past Darling to bring them to within 4-3.  Panik would complete his natural hat trick after receiving a nice pass from Patrick Kane to complete the scoring with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

Notable Mentions: Tyler Motte had another productive game picking up his 2nd point in 3 games.  He drew a penalty on P.K. Subban, after poke-checking a puck from him.  Brent Seabrook had a complete game, compiling 2 points (1G 1A), 5 hits, and 3 blocked shots over 23:15 TOI.  Marian Hossa still reminds on 499 career goals.





Next Game: Tuesday, October 18th, Home vs. Philadelphia Flyers 7:30PM TV:CSN

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!