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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
CHICAGO (AP) – Rookie Kyle Calder was the only Blackhawk to beat
Atlanta goaltender Damian Rhodes in Chicago's 1-0 victory over the
Thrashers on Friday night. According to the Thrashers, the goal
shouldn't have counted.
Calder connected 6:19 into the game when Stephane Quintal's
centering pass struck Calder's skate and deflected in. Although it
appeared Calder, stationed at the edge of the crease, may have
intentionally directed the puck, the goal withstood a video review.
"It's unfortunate, because that goal should not stick,"
Atlanta coach Curt Fraser said. "It was reviewed with him in a
direct kicking motion. I didn't think those were supposed to
stand."
Calder, whose stick was being held as he scored his third goal
this season, said he "didn't kick at all. I just kind of turned my
foot."
"Stephane Quintal made a great pass," he continued. "I wasn't
able to get my stick on it, but I got a lucky bounce off my foot."
The goal was all Chicago's Jocelyn Thibault needed to help the
Blackhawks snap a two-game losing streak and move within seven
points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western
Conference. He made 27 saves for his sixth shutout of the season.
"I just wanted to come tonight and do the things I'm used to,"
Thibault said. "It worked out."
Meanwhile, Rhodes stopped 25 shots, but couldn't prevent Atlanta
from dropping its fourth straight game. The injury-depleted
Thrashers, who were shut out for the fourth time this season, have
won just three times in their last 25 games.
"You never know what's going to happen in a hockey game,"
Rhodes said. "When one of those (goals) go in, and for that to
decide a hockey game is a pity."
Still, Thibault was only lightly tested by Atlanta. He did,
however, make one of his toughest saves six minutes into the
scoreless second by stopping Tomi Kallio from point-blank range.
Thibault stopped 10 shots in the third to nail down his 21st
career shutout.
Game notes
The game was the first for the Thrashers in Chicago and
only the third between the teams. ... Both the Thrashers and
Blackhawks are hard hit by injuries. Atlanta was without five
defensemen: Gord Murphy, Yannick Tremblay, Frantisek Kaberle, Adam
Burt and Petr Buzek. Chicago skated without defensemen Boris
Mironov, Jaroslav Spacek and Jamie Allison, as well as center Alex
Zhamnov.
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NHL Scoreboard
Atlanta Clubhouse
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RECAPS
Phoenix 7
Buffalo 3
Carolina 3
New Jersey 2
Washington 3
Montreal 1
Pittsburgh 6
NY Rangers 4
Detroit 4
St. Louis 2
Chicago 1
Atlanta 0
Dallas 5
Boston 4
Colorado 4
Minnesota 1
San Jose 3
Anaheim 1
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