Chicago Blackhawks’ point streak ends with 6-2 loss to Colorado

The Avs used a massive four-goal second period to bury the red-hot Blackhawks

Mar 9, 2013, 4:31 AM UTC

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It’s finally over.

The longest point streak in NHL history came to a crashing end in Colorado on Friday night, as the Avalanche defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-2, as their home fans chanted "End of Streak" in the waning minutes.

Chicago’s loss ended its run of 24 games with at least a point earned and suffered its first regulation loss since March 25, 2012. The Blackhawks had won 11 straight coming into Friday night, and all of that ended thanks in part to a monster four-goal second period from the Avalanche.

The Blackhawks got out to an early lead thanks to a pretty give-and-go goal by Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

But the Avalanche drew even before the first intermission. With Colorado on the power play, P.A. Parenteau used patience along the boards to feed the puck to Ryan O'Reilly at the point, who passed it over to Matt Duchene. Duchene fired it toward the net and Paul Stastny tipped it in for the game-tying goal to make it a 1-1 game going into the second period.

The Blackhawks couldn’t capitalize on a power play early in the second, and it cost them. Duchene scored his ninth of the season shortly after the Avs killed the power play off, and then John Mitchell scored just 33 seconds later to make it a 3-1 game.

The Avs weren't even close to being done. O'Reilly added another with a slap shot from the point at 10:47 while the Avs were on a power play, and Jamie McGinn made it 5-1 with a wrister supplied by Matt Duchene. It was Duchene's fourth point of the night and the Avs' fourth goal of the second period. It was also arguably the best period the Avalanche have played all season long.

Bryan Bickell scored Chicago's second goal at 8:53 in the third period to draw the Blackhawks a little closer, but Parenteau's goal with under five minutes remaining was the final nail in the coffin, and the Avs celebrated on home ice with a 6-2 rout.