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Blackhawks Wed Dec 28 2011
Hawks Continue Surge
While the Blackhawks weren't at their best Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team was able to snap out of it and bring home a 4-1 victory after their four-day Christmas break.
The Hawks continued their December domination, winning their second consecutive game and being the first in the league to reach 50 points. They are 9-1-1 this month, with home games on the horizon tonight against the Kings, Friday against the Red Wings and Monday against the Oilers.
The Hawks started slow against Columbus, but Viktor Stalberg and Corey Crawford showed up to play. The team was outshot 13-5 in the first period.
Patrick Sharp scored the first goal for the Hawks a little over four minutes into the second, opening the floodgates for more. The Hawks are the only team not to lose in regulation when scoring first.
Stalberg then scored his first goal of the evening a little over four minutes later to make it 2-0. He then put another one past Columbus goaltender Steve Mason with a little under five minutes left in the second to make it 3-0.
Crawford had a good night in goal with 37 saves in his second consecutive start since sitting out for six games. Columbus got one past Crawford in the beginning of the third to rid the chance of a shutout but Marian Hossa added one more to before the end of regulation.