HAWKS POWERLESS
Four shots in second, 1 for 8 on power play overshadow Varobiev's 2-goal effort

By: Gary Zahara

Bobby Hull said it best. If you shoot the puck, you'll score.

That's one of the first things you're taught when you step on the ice. The Chicago Blackhawks haven't been able to follow that golden rule for sixty minutes. It came back to bite them in the second period as the Columbus Blue Jackets peppered Nikolai Khabibulin for 12 shots and two goals, while the Hawks managed only four in a 3-2 loss Sunday at the United Center.

The 11,062 fans that showed up were not pleased with the effort and let the Hawks hear about it as the second period ended. Blue Jacket enforcer Jody Shelley, in his fifth season, had only seven career goals coming into the game, scored the game winner following former Hawk Bryan Berard's shot with 11:10 left in the second. The loss dropped the Hawks to 1-2 in the opening homestand as they head out on a four game road trip starting Tuesday in St. Louis.

The power play, surprisingly fifth in the NHL at 25% went just 1 for 8 for the night.

"The first two periods we weren't committed to playing together or the game plan. I'll accept responsibility for that," head coach Trent Yawney said.

Pavel Varobiev, the lone bright spot in a otherwise punchless offense, scored two goals for the second straight game. He has accounted for four of Chicago's nine goals. Varobiev was moved to the first line with the absence of Eric Daze, who was out for the second straight game with back stiffness.

Varobiev's second goal was as easy as they come.

With Columbus goalie Marc Denis(30 saves) down and flailing like a fish out of water, Varobiev had time to pick his spot and put the puck in the upper left hand corner to pull the Hawks to within 3-2. But Chicago could not get that elusive third despite outshooting the Blue Jackets 16-2 in the final period.

“I thought the guys were outstanding tonight. Our forward group played a very, very smart road game. They came back and they were available for our defense," Denis said.

Berard got sweet vindication scoring a goal and an assist against the team that released him following the 2003-04 season.

"It definitely puts a little extra spice on it, but it was just nice to get the first win, that's the most important thing," Berard said.

Khabibulin has not looked comfortable in the Indian Head sweater the first three games. His stats certainly don't match the Stanley Cup year in 2004. His goals against average is 4.03 with with only a .833 saves percentage.

"Of the three games I've played so far, I thought I felt the best tonight,'' Khabibulin said. "Obviously, I'm not close to where I want to be.''

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