Trip counter
* Record: 5-3.
* Miles covered: 7,800.
* Place in standings at start: 32-11-4, 68 points, tied for 1st in Western Conference.
* Place in standings at end: 37-14-4, 78 points, 2nd, 3 points back.
* Goal differential at start: +53.
* Goal differential at end: +51.
MVP
Troy Brouwer. He led the Blackhawks with fi ve goals during the season-long eightgame road trip. The winger scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, in the biggest victory of the trip when the Hawks defeated the Sharks 4-3 on Thursday night.
Trip tidbits
* All-Stars named: None, although at least one of their six Olympians got a pretty good preview of the nightlife in Vancouver.
* Limousine photos released: Only four.
Quenneville’s best move
Sticking with Cristobal Huet as the starting goaltender for the last three games of the trip. The veteran played well enough to quiet most of the critics calling for Antti Niemi to get the bulk of starts.
Accomplishments
At the start of the trip, Joel Quenneville set the goal at double-digit points, and the Hawks pulled that off with fi ve wins (10 points). They also completed the most rigorous part of their schedule and opened a 15- point lead over the Predators in the Central Division.
The goals now
Take advantage of four of the next six games at home before the Olympic break and overtake the Sharks for the top spot in the conference and secure home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. One other small goal: Win the Stanley Cup. The road trip helped prove the Hawks are capable.
Back to the UC
7:30 p.m. Wednesday vs. Blues, Comcast SportsNet
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ckuc@tribune.com
