Morning Box Score: Blackhawks Snow In Avalanche

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 28, 2013 3:30PM

Blackhawks 7, Colorado 2
The NHL returned from its Christmas break and the Blackhawks showed no rust or laziness from eating Christmas goose as they thoroughly dominated their Central Division rivals at the United Center and retook the points lead in the league. Patrick Sharp celebrated his 32nd birthday with a hat trick; his third goal came 27 seconds into the second period. Sharp also set up Jonathan Toews' second period goal to end the night with four points. Toews finished with two goals and missed two golden opportunities to notch a hat trick, Patrick Kane extended his current points streak to 13 games with an assist and the Hawks defense made an easy night for goaltender Antti Raanta. The Finnish rookie only faced 18 shots all night and the Hawks have allowed 30 shots in the last two games.

They are the team to watch right now in Chicago, ladies and gentlemen.

The Hawks look to pad their division lead when they travel to St. Louis tonight to take on the Blues.

In college basketball DePaul defeated Northwestern 57-56 in a battle of local Division I teams.