Blackhawks 5, Coyotes 2: Hossa’s return a happy one
By Ben Meyer-Abbott bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com October 18, 2011 9:50PM
Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews
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Updated: November 20, 2011 8:58AM
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Blackhawks just look better with winger Marian Hossa, who returned to action after missing the team’s game Saturday against the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury.
Hossa rejoined the Hawks’ lineup Tuesday on the second line with Patrick Kane and Daniel Carcillo and scored in a 5-2 victory against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena.
Hossa’s goal came on a 5-on-3 power play 15:06 into the first period. He also had two takeaways in nearly 18 minutes and saw time with both special-teams units.
‘‘[Hossa] really solidifies that second line for us with Kane,’’ defenseman Duncan Keith said. ‘‘[Whether the line is] 1A or 1B or whatever you want to call it. Then [Dave] Bolland did a great job, that whole [third] line. Really, every line did good. But when we have Hossa in the lineup, he adds a different element, for sure.’’
Hossa has 11 goals and 18 points in 21 career games against the Coyotes.
‘‘To tell you the truth, not practicing for four days, I was a little afraid,’’ said Hossa, who was hurt during the Hawks’ game Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. ‘‘But I tried to keep the shifts short, and my teammates helped me. So I think that was pretty good for the first game [back].’’
Bolland gave the Hawks a 4-2 lead with his fourth goal in as many games after stripping the Coyotes’ Radim Vrbata on the penalty kill early in the third period. He also assisted on a goal by Bryan Bickell that pushed the Hawks’ lead to 5-2. Bolland, Bickell and Michael Frolik combined for a plus-5 rating to continue their hot start on the third line.
Jamal Mayers added his first goal for the Hawks, who outshot the Coyotes 35-16.
Statue ceremony
Ch. 9 will broadcast the unveiling of the statues of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita outside the United Center at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Hawks will host the Colorado Avalanche at 7:30.
