Afternoon Box Score: Blackhawks Fall In Opener

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Oct 2, 2009 9:45PM

Oh, hey, the Blackhawks started their season today! That's right, lost amongst the Chicago 2016 hoopla and fall-out, the Chicago Blackhawks opened their 2009-2010 season in Finland today against the Florida Panthers but wound up on the wrong end of a 4-3 shootout. The Blackhawks got on the board for the season first in the second period courtesy of a Patrick Kane goal early in the second period. That began a see-saw battle of the teams exchanging goals. Florida answered to tie the game 1-1 by the end of the second period. In the third, Dustin Byfuglien got a goal early, less than four minutes into the period. Florida bounced back with a goal of their own a few moments later. Once more, the Blackhawks went ahead thanks to Patrick Sharp's first goal of the season but, once more, the Panthers battled back and with a little over two minutes left in the game. After a scoreless overtime, the Panthers took the victory with a two goals to one shootout. Cristobal Huet stopped 21 of 24 shots but the Blackhawks managed a mind-boggling 55 shots on goal - 24 in the third period - but only came away with the three goals and a loss. The teams tangle in Finland again tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Chicago time (CSN).