Flawless Blackhawks Soar, 3-1

Jeff Shantz and Tony Amonte teamed up for a perfect play, Jeff Hackett was nearly unbeatable in goal and the Chicago Blackhawks played an almost flawless game to defeat the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, Sunday night at Chicago.

“We played very well and deserved to have a point or two,” Detroit’s Igor Larionov said. “But you have to give credit to Chicago too. They’ve been playing great and winning.”

Hackett made 25 saves and has given up only eight goals in the last eight games in leading Chicago to a 5-1-2 record in that span.

Amonte was in awe of Shantz’s cross-ice feed for the winning goal.

“Perfect pass? He made the whole play,” Amonte said. “It’s his goal.”

Shantz got into Detroit’s zone by fighting through Bob Rouse’s check along the boards and threaded a pass past two defenders onto the stick of Amonte in the right circle. Amonte lifted the puck over goaltender Chris Osgood.