Blackhawks Locals Take A Bite Out Of Sharks, 4-1

Ryan Hartman and Vinnie Hinostroza, both had a goal and an assist, and Scott Darling had 33 saves in route to a 4-1 Blackhawks victory Sunday night over the San Jose Sharks.

Darling, a Lemont native, played back-to-back games, after defeating the St. Louis Blues, 5-4 last night, came up with 33 saves in a huge win tonight against the Pacific Divison leading Sharks. Hartman, a West Dundee suburbanite, notched his 2nd game-winning goal of the year.  Hinostroza, a native of Bartlett, scored his second goal in as many nights.

After a scoreless first period, the Sharks got on the board first when Joe Pavelski tipped a Brent Burns shot from the point, and deflected it past Darling, 1:13 into the second period.  With just over three minutes remaining in the period, Duncan Keith rifled a slapshot past Shark netminder, Martin Jones, for his first goal of the year to tie the game at 1, heading into the second intermission.

Hartman then took a puck from a Hinostroza face-off win, and snapped his 6th goal of the year past Jones to give the Hawks the lead near the seven minute mark.  Hinostroza, then gave the Hawks an insurance goal with under four minutes left in regulation when he wristed his 3rd goal of the year, 5-hole, through Jones.  Patrick Kane added an empty net goal, his 10th of the year.

Notable mentions: After going goalless over the last 9 games, Kane has scored in his last 2 games.  With his performance tonight, Darling and Crawford, both, have a .927 save percentage.  Artemi Panarin now has a 5-game scoring streak (4G 7A), +5.  Kane's goal brings him within 5 points of 700 for his career (261G 434A - 695pts).  The Sharks scored first tonight and were 14-4-0 when doing so.  Add one to the loss column after tonight.



3 Stars Of The Game 
1 - CHI - Scott Darling ~ 33 Saves, .971 SV%
2 - CHi - Duncan Keith ~ 1G, +2
3 - CHI - Ryan Hartman ~ (1G 1A)

Next Game: Tuesday, December 20th, Home vs. Ottawa Senators (18-11-3, 39pts)  
TV - CSN-CH, RADIO - WGN720AM

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!