Ducks beat Blackhawks, enter break on hot streak

 

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Game Information

Arena: Honda Center Location: Anaheim, California

Referees: ChrisLee, BillMcCreary Linesmen: DerekAmell, JeanMorin

Attendance: 17,174 (100.0% full)

Team Stat Comparison
209	Goals	251
279	Goals Against	222
51	Power Play Goals	87
88	Power Play Goals Allowed	84
6	Shorthanded Goals	9
12	Shorthanded Goals Allowed	13
1544	Penalty Minutes	1459
19	Average Penalty Minutes	18

Scoring Summary
1ST PERIOD			CHI	ANA
6:55		Joffrey Lupul (Power Play) Assists: Andy McDonald, Teemu Selanne	0	1
2ND PERIOD			CHI	ANA
3:51		Patrick Sharp Assists: Mikael Holmqvist, Martin Lapointe	1	1
3RD PERIOD			CHI	ANA
0:17		Dustin Penner Assists: Todd Marchant	1	2
3:20		Corey Perry Assists: Ryan Getzlaf, Todd Fedoruk	1	3
18:24		Joffrey Lupul (Empty net) Assists: Todd Marchant, Francois Beauchemin	1	4

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are making a push toward the playoffs with some talented young players.

Dustin Penner and Corey Perry scored third-period goals lifting, Anaheim to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night.

Penner scored on a wraparound 17 seconds into the third period and Perry tapped in a pass from Ryan Getzlaf 3:03 later to help Anaheim move three points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Ducks have earned points in 13 of their last 16 games, going 9-3-4 since Jan. 9.

Penner, Perry and Getzlaf are all rookies, part of a young nucleus of players that have helped fuel the recent success in Anaheim.

The three young forwards have combined to score eight goals in the last nine Ducks games.

"Those guys have definitely all contributed," said Anaheim center Andy McDonald. "They had a really strong game tonight. Were going to need that if we want to go to the playoffs."

McDonald extended an 11-game scoring streak with an assist on a first-period goal by second-year NHL forward Joffrey Lupul. The point streak is the longest current streak in the NHL, with McDonald generating five goals and 13 assists during the 11-game span.

Teemu Selanne also had an assist to extend a three-game assist streak. Todd Marchant added two assists. Lupul scored a second goal into an empty-net goal.

"Its the best way to go into the break," said Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere who made 24 saves in the win. "We can go into the break feeling pretty good about ourselves. We have been playing well as of late. We put ourselves in a position where in March and April we can battle for a playoff spot."

The Blackhawks have not won in Anaheim since Feb. 7, 2001, going 0-7-2 in their last nine games at the Arrowhead Pond. Chicago has just one overall win in its last 11 games against Anaheim.

"It was important for us to come out and try and get some results," said Chicago forward Patrick Sharp who tied the game 1-1 with a second-period goal. "For the most part we did that, but we had a few letdowns and it cost us."

Penner broke the 1-1 tie by gathering the puck behind the Blackhawks goal, fending off several checks by Sharp and sweeping around the cage to swipe the puck under goalie Adam Munro.

"I waited to make contact and then spun off, like I've been trying to do on a consistent basis," said Penner. "I just tried to put a good shot on net."

The Blackhawks head into the Olympic break ending a six-game road trip with a 1-4-1 record.

"It's been a difficult year for everybody so far, and getting away from the game sometimes doesn't hurt," said Chicago coach Trent Yawney. "Its almost like a new start with the break as long as it is." ^Notes:@ The Ducks honored Selanne before the game. On Jan. 30 he generated his 1000th NHL point, becoming just the seventh European-born player to reach the milestone and just the second player from Finland to do so. Jari Kurri had 1,398 points during his NHL career. ... The Blackhawks were assessed a rare penalty for having the wrong starting lineup on the ice. Radim Vrbata was listed on the lineup card as a starter, but Rene Bourgue was on the ice.