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    NHL: Niemi shuts out Panthers as Blackhawks bounce back


    AP, HELSINKI
    Monday, Oct 05, 2009, Page 19

    Antti Niemi made 23 saves and the Chicago Blackhawks used three power-play goals to rout the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Saturday and split the season-opening double header in Finland.

    Niemi, a Finnish goalkeeper who replaced Christobal Huet for Chicago after Friday¡¦s opening shootout loss, pleased the crowd with his first NHL shutout in four starts.

    ¡§It was a good opportunity to play him in front of his own countrymen,¡¨ Chicago coach Joel Quennville said.

    Brian Campbell scored the opener at 3 minutes, 5 seconds on a power play with a low shot from the point. Finnish defender Ville Koistinen, who scored the winning penalty for the Panthers on Friday, had drawn the penalty for a push in the back on Brent Sopel.

    Florida turned up the pace in the second, but it was Chicago who made the most of their opportunities. Patrick Sharp fired a hard shot from the right and Patrick Kane beat defenseman Keith Ballard to the rebound to make it 2-0 on 5 minutes, 12 seconds.

    Chicago rediscovered their rhythm after that goal, but couldn¡¦t use an opportunity to play five-on-three for 55 seconds to increase their lead.

    Sharp finally added the third, however, on another penalty just a minute before the interval. Kris Versteeg broke up a shorthanded attack by the Panthers and fed Sharp, who beat Florida goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun on the breakaway.

    Dustin Byfuglien made it 4-0 on another power play in the third, after picking up a loose puck in the circle and beating Vokoun with a low shot.

    Florida coach Peter LeBoer said his team was tired after Friday¡¦s 4-3 win, but that he was pleased to at least leave Europe with a split series.

    ¡§A month ago I would have taken it, but after winning the last game you get greedy and want the four points,¡¨ he said.

    Vokoun made 29 saves as Chicago outshot Florida 33 to 23.



    Saturday¡¦s other results:

    ¡E Penguins 4, Islanders 3, SO

    ¡E Blues 5, Red Wings 3

    ¡E Capitals 6, Maple Leafs 4

    ¡E Flyers 5, Devils 2

    ¡E Canadiens 2, Sabres 1, OT

    ¡E Bruins 7, Hurricanes 2

    ¡E Rangers 5, Senators 2

    ¡E Avalanche 3, Canucks 0

    ¡E Blue Jackets 2, Wild 1

    ¡E Thrashers 6, Lightning 3

    ¡E Predators 3, Stars 2, SO

    ¡E Sharks 4, Ducks 1

    ¡E Flames 4, Oilers 3

    ¡E Coyotes 6, Kings 3

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