Blackhawks defeat Sharks in Overtime

CHICAGO , Il – On Sunday night, in the United Center, before a Chicago season high, 21,130 fans, the San Jose Sharks chalked up another point, improving their recent streak to 9-0-3 in their last 12 games.   The Blackhawks went away with two points in the overtime win 4-3 over the Sharks.
 
The Blackhawks increased to the best home record in the league at 10-2-1.
 
In the first period, Brent Sopel scored a slap shot goal at 4:08 into the period to put the Hawks on the scoreboard first.   But at 15:01, the Sharks Dany Heatley scored with a wrist shot assisted by Joe Thornton and Derek Joslin.  
 

At 1:14 into the second period, Jason Demers scored his first goal of the season on a power-play.   His would be the first time in seven games that a team was able to score on the man-advantage against the Blackhawks.   Patrick Marleau scored again on a wrist shot about 30 seconds later, putting the Sharks up 3-1.   But the Hawks would not rest, and at 7:54, Patrick Kane scored on a slap-shot, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith.   Kane increased his point streak to seven games.   Late in the period, John Madden’s wrist shot would tie the game at 3-3.
 
The third period remained scoreless, despite what looked like a possible goal by the Sharks.   It appeared some of the players on the ice thought the rebounded shot had crossed the threshold, but following a video review by the referees, it resulted in a no-goal call.   But it would be the Blackhawks that would prevail early in overtime, with a wrist shot from Brent Seabrook that went past Nabokov.
 
The Blackhawks out-shot the Sharks 30-23. The Hawk’s netminder, Christobal Huet had 27 saves.
 
The fans celebrated Jeremy Roenick Heritage Night with the team throughout the night. Roenick played for the Blackhawks for eight seasons, between 88-96.   Roenick retired last year following two successful seasons with the San Jose Sharks.   Fans were presented a poster of Roenick as they entered the arena.   He was on the ice prior to the game where he dropped the ceremonial puck with his two daughters and wife.
 
Throughout the rest of the night, there were short clips played that shared short stories of Roenick by former teammates, coaches and Hollywood stars.   Roenick celebrated a 20-year history following his retirement in the off-season. He was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft (8^th overall).   He played only one season at the QMJHL level with the Hull Olympiques.  
 
Roenick played in a total of 1,363 games over his 20-year career, and was the third American player to post over 500 goals.   He retired with 513 goals, 703 assists for a total of 1,216 points and 1,463 penalty minutes.   Additionally, he played in 154 post-season games, culminating 53 goals and 69 assists throughout his career.   Roenick also played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and finally with the San Jose Sharks.  
 
Contact the writer at shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com 
Contact the photographer at jack.lima@prohockeynews.com