Morning Box Score: Crawford Strong In Net For Hawks

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 9, 2015 3:50PM

Blackhawks 4, Minnesota 2
Corey Crawford has struggled since returning to the Blackhawks lineup after a foot injury. Before Thursday Crawford was 3-3-1 in net since his return but he earned First Star of the Game honors for his performance at Xcel Energy Center. Crawford stopped 42 shots and received early offensive support with first period goals by Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. Bryan Bickell added two third period goals to bolster Crawford. The Hawks only had 20 shots on goal all game but Crawford withstood a persistent attack by the Wild, including two stops at point blank range in the opening period. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville called if "a goalie win."

"They were the better team tonight for sure and we dodged a bullet."