CHICAGO, (CO) -- Chicago hosted the Minnesota Wild in an effort to get back to .500, after last nights loss to Buffalo. And the Hawks gameplan worked out like a charm. The speedy Wild had trouble against the punishing Blackhawks. Chicago used there high forecheck and intense play all over the ice. Mark Bell scored his 3rd goal of the season late in the second period. And Ryan VandenBussche scored his 2nd goal this season halfway through the third period, putting the end to the scoring. Jocelyn Thibault who was back in net for Chicago made 30 and gave Chicago a good chance of winning the game.
"Jocelyn played an awsome game for us tonight. If we had lost tonight, it would not been due to soft goals, thats for sure. He bailed us out more then once tonight. He was flat out awsome tonight." - Captain Chris Chelios said after the game.
The Hawks rough play continues. Scott Nichol was ejected in the second period. Nichol was given the game misconduct after he had railroaded Ron Francis. The veteran center had to leave the game with a shoulder injury, and it looks like Francis will miss the next couple of games. The Hawks have now been on the reciving end of a total of 4 game misconducts in 8 games. 3 of the misconducts have come in the last 3 games.
"Its a shame how the Hawks play. They are just out to hurt players out there. The league must put an end to this, or things will get out of hand soon. I see no reason for why the Hawks are playing like this. You can play physical without making dirty hits. Brian Sutter must talk to his players and get them to calm down." - Said an anonymus scout for another team.
Chicago will now have 3 games off before they take on the Blue Jackets at home in United Center.