Dean McAmmond sent another message that he belongs in the Blackhawks’ lineup Friday night.
His latest communique came in the form of the winning goal in the Hawks’ 3-1 victory over Columbus before a sellout crowd of 18,136 at Nationwide Arena.
It was scored midway through the third after Jaroslav Spacek’s shot from the high slot tied the score 1-1 earlier in the period.
Tony Amonte’s 23rd goal of the season sealed the verdict with 39 seconds to play. Amonte scored into an empty net after Blue Jackets coach Dave King pulled goalie Ron Tugnutt.
McAmmond’s winning goal came on a backhand rebound after Tugnutt rejected a Kyle Calder shot. The goal was the seventh of the season for McAmmond, who has been a healthy scratch in seven games, including two last week after he was taken off the second line.
Since being restored to the lineup Sunday, he has picked up a point in each of the Hawks’ three victories–getting an assist when he returned on the fourth line and goals in his last two games on the third line.
“It’s nice to be in the lineup and be in the lineup when we’re winning,” said McAmmond after the Hawks improved their record in their last 11 outings to 8-2-1.
Complementing the clutch scoring of McAmmond and Spacek was a 23-save performance by goalie Jocelyn Thibault.
“Again Thibault played a very good game,” coach Alpo Suhonen said. “Not as many saves as [Tuesday against the Islanders] but some in key moments.”
