CHICAGO SPORTS NEWS FLASH (1/4/14): Blackhawks Hold Off Devils, 5-3 with the Help of Patrick Sharp's Hat Trick

Patrick Sharp scored three goals for the Chicago Blackhawks, and in a fairly high-scoring game, Chicago left Newark, New Jersey with a victory. The game was pretty even up until the third and final period, as the 'Hawks scored 4 goals, while the Devils only scored 2. The third period proved to be the decider of the game, along with the Patrick Sharp Hat Trick.

Sharp has been on an absolute tear recently, and the Friday (1/3/14) hat trick was his second in five games. In his last 13 games, the 32-year-old scored 14 goals and has 7 assists. In 44 games this season, he has 25 goals.

The first period was dead even, with no goals scored at all. The NHL's winningest goaltender, Martin Brodeur (of the New Jersey Devils) performed very well in that period. His counterpart, rookie goalie Antti Raanta, performed equally as well as Brodeur. Although Raanta started, the game was just a chance for normal goalie Corey Crawford to rest, as he made his return to the ice on Thursday (1/2/14) coming back from an injury sidelining him for over 3 weeks.

Blackhawks coach, Joel Quenneville reassured that the starter is Corey Crawford. The Blackhawks are known for regularly rotating starts between Crawford and Raanta.

The second period was also even, with both teams scoring one goal apiece. The third period was what made the difference. Both teams scored pretty well in that period, but it was Chicago that went on a scoring spree, powered by Patrick Sharp.

Goal scorers for New Jersey were Andy Greene (7th goal of season, assisted by Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier) and Marek Zidlicky (6th goal of season, assisted by Andrei Loktionov and Reid Boucher). Zidlicky scored twice. His second goal was on a power play, and it was his 7th of the year. The second goal was assisted by Eric Gelinas and Adam Henrique. Zidlicky scored both of the Devils' goals in the third period.

Goal scorers for Chicago were Brandon Saad (15th goal of season, assisted by Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook), Marian Hossa (15th goal of season, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith), and of course, Patrick Sharp. Sharp scored his 23rd, 24th, and 25th goals of the season on Friday night. The first goal was assisted by Jonathan Toews. The second was assisted by Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The third was assisted by Keith. Toews, Keith, and Seabrook each had 2 assists, and Patrick Kane had one.

The win kept the 'Hawks at #1 in the NHL Standings. However, the Anaheim Ducks are right on Chicago's tail. The defending Stanley Cup champions have 66 points; the Ducks have 65. Chicago has played one more game than Anaheim this season.

The streaking Blackhawks take on the San Jose Sharks in the United Center on Sunday (1/5/14).

CHICAGO BEARS NEWS

Bears Right Tackle Jordan Mills Undergoes Surgery on Left Foot

On Friday morning (1/3/14), rookie RT Jordan Mills underwent surgery for his left foot. He suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal on that foot. 

The fifth-rounder suffered the injury during the first quarter in a loss against the Green Bay Packers (Week 17). Mills hurt his foot while going from the sideline into the game, not when he was actually playing. 

Mills has been a pleasant surprise for the Bears, performing much better than expected coming into the season.

CHICAGO BULLS NEWS

Bulls' Injury Bug Strikes Again; this time Carlos Boozer is Out

The Bulls will face the Atlanta Hawks in Chicago Saturday night (8 P.M. ET). However, they will play without starting Power Forward Carlos Boozer, a veteran. Boozer's knee is sore.

Chicago has been hit with a spree of injuries during the course of the season, and it seems they have never been all collectively healthy. Jimmy Butler, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, and now Boozer have missed time off due to injuries. Joakim Noah's foot is inconsistent, and of course, there's Derrick Rose. After being the youngest MVP ever in 2011, Rose suffered a torn left ACL in the first playoff game of the 2012 lockout NBA season. After missing the entire 2013 season, Rose only played 10 games this season before tearing his right meniscus in the knee. Rose will be out for the entire season.

CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

No news. The Cubs continue their tear down, rebuilding process.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NEWS

No news. The Sox signed pitcher Scott Downs to a one-year deal on Thursday (1/2/14). See previous post for more details.