For the second straight game Friday night, Alex Zhamnov was unable to play on his sprained right ankle.
The Blackhawks’ top center may try to give it a go in Game 3 Sunday afternoon at the United Center.
“It’s disturbing to everybody that he can’t play,” said coach Craig Hartsburg. “But there’s not much you can do about it.”
As he did in Game 1, Murray Craven stepped into Zhamnov’s spot on the top line with Tony Amonte and Sergei Krivokrasov, though Craven left the game after being hit by a puck.
“Obviously, I can’t do the things Alex can do,” said Craven before the game. “But I don’t feel any more pressure. I know what I have to do. I’ve been through it too many times. I’ve always played the swing role.”
Craven’s line, like the rest of the team, never got on track in Wednesday’s 6-0 setback. Craven had no shots on goal, Amonte just one and Krivokrasov four.
Pully power: The complaints by General Manager Bob Pulford about the constant foot traffic parading past the Hawks’ dressing room before, during and after Game 1 was addressed Friday and things were much better. Pulford also complained about the officiating Wednesday and Bryan Lewis, the NHL’s director of officials, was on hand Friday. Colorado had more penalties called on it, but it didn’t do the Hawks any good.
Out of here: Hawks assistant coach Lorne Henning booted Colorado director of player personnel Michel Goulet out of the Hawks’ morning skate at McNichols Sports Arena.
“Gou,” Henning shouted toward the second level of the arena, “(Colorado coach) Marc (Crawford) kicked us out last year.”
Goulet, who played four seasons with the Hawks, didn’t miss much at the 10-minute workout.
Won’t take the bait: As much as the Hawks tried to get the Avalanche out of its game in Game 1, daring it to play rock-’em-sock-’em hockey, Colorado’s players weren’t biting.
“I’m not going to fight Bob Probert,” said Peter Forsberg.
“I’ve been on teams that weren’t as talented and we tried to even things up that way, try to intimidate and get after their best players,” said Adam Foote, who will fight Probert. “But in professional hockey, it’s tough to intimidate that way.”
The Hawks took some heat for being “goons” in the opening game, but Hartsburg said, “I’d like to see if we were up five or six goals and see what would happen.”
“It’s all part of hockey,” added Chris Chelios. “I’m sure if the shoe was on the other foot they’d do the same thing. When you’re down 5-0, 6-0, you can’t quit. You have to play physical.”
