National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Chicago 5, Columbus 2
When: 8:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Referees: Don VanMassenhoven, Jean Hebert
Linesmen: Thor Nelson, Jay Sharrers
Attendance: 21229

Viktor Stalberg continued his dominance against Columbus with his first career hat trick as the Chicago Blackhawks snapped their season-high four-game losing streak and spoiled Todd Richards' debut behind the Blue Jackets' bench with a 5-2 home triumph on Tuesday.

Dave Bolland notched a goal and an assist, Ben Smith also scored and Corey Crawford made 32 saves for Chicago, which is 1-1-1 on its four-game homestand.

After Bolland and Columbus' R.J. Umberger traded goals in the first eight minutes of the second period, Stalberg converted a backhand pass from Patrick Kane with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the session to put the Blackhawks ahead for good.

Stalberg fired a loose puck past Curtis Sanford from the bottom of the right faceoff circle at 6:32 of the third and completed his hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:40 to play. Seven of Stalberg's 12 goals this season have come against the Blue Jackets.

Antoine Vermette tallied and defenseman Aaron Johnson had two assists for Columbus, which concluded a 1-3-0 road trip with its 10th loss in 12 overall games. The Blue Jackets have dropped five straight meetings with the Blackhawks, including four this season.

Richards was named Columbus' interim coach for the remainder of 2011-12 after Scott Arniel was fired on Monday.

Top Game Performances
 
Columbus   Chicago
Aaron Johnson 2 Points Viktor Stalberg 3
R.J. Umberger 1 Goals Viktor Stalberg 3
Aaron Johnson 2 Assists David Bolland 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals David Bolland 1
Curtis Sanford .833 Save Percentage Corey Crawford .941
Curtis Sanford 20 Saves Corey Crawford 32
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Columbus 34 2 0-5 4-4 20 20
Chicago 25 5 0-4 5-5 42 25
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Blackhawks have a W/L % of .583 after a win and .579 after a loss.
  • Columbus will play their next game at home against Phoenix. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .083 after a win and .333 after a loss.