Chicago Downs The Flyers; Raanta Picks Up The Win

Chicago, IL- The Blackhawks (4-0-1) went into Tuesday nights game against the Philadelphia Flyers (1-3-2) with out their starting netminder, Corey Crawford. Crawford is listed as day-to-day, as he recovers from  a upper body injury. With the absence of Crawford, the duties were handed to the 25 year old Finnish goalie Antti Raanta. Raanta would stop all 32 of Philadelphia's shots to give Chicago the 4-0 win.

The scoring started mid-way through the first period when Brandon Saad tapped the puck past Flyers goaltender Steve Mason after a mix-up in front of the net, Brad Richards and Bryan Bickell would each be awarded the assists. Roughly 90 seconds later the Blackhawks would strike again, Patrick Sharp would blast a shot from the blue line which bounced off Masons pads and Patrick Kane would finish the play giving Chicago their 1st power play goal of the night; Sharp and Toews would be credited with the assist. The Flyers just couldn't seem to stop the bleeding, the Blackhawks would yet again tickle the twine. This time it was Bryan Bickell who tallied home his first goal of the season off a saucer pass from Brandon Saad at the 14 minute mark in the 1st. 

"It was a 3-on-2, Travis (Van Riemsdyk) drove the middle and then Saad made a great pass. I just picked a side and was happy to see it go in" Bryan Bickell on his goal, " It's nice to see him come in, this is his first year yet it doesn't seem like it. He has a lot of poise on offense with that puck. Its fun to look him make plays out of nothing and its nice to have him back there" Bickell on the play of rookie Trevor Van Riemsdyk.

The second period was scoreless, however two penalties did occur. Philadelphia's Zach Rinaldo would be sent to the sin bin for 2 minutes for roughing on Daniel Carcillo. Michael Raffl would also be sent to the box for roughing against Daniel Carcillo. 

Fact: Blackhawks haven't scored in the second period so far this year

Patrick Kanes second power play goal of the night would come early in the 3rd period. Kane knocked in Duncan Keiths shot that was deflected by the pad of Mason, Kanes goal would seal the deal for Chicago giving the Hawks a 4-0 win at the Madhouse on Madison Tuesday night.

3 Stars of the Game: