Blackhawks torch Luongo to avoid sweep by Canucks

Associated Press

CHICAGO

Dave Bolland returned to the Chicago lineup after missing 17 games with a concussion and had a goal and three assists Tuesday night as the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks avoided being swept, routing the Vancouver Canucks 7-2.

Vancouver still leads 3-1 in the first-round series that heads back to the Rogers Arena for Game 5 on Thursday night.

Chicago’s Patrick Sharp scored two power-play goals in a chippy final period that featured pushing, shoving, jawing and a fight between Vancouver’s Kevin Bieska and Chicago’s Viktor Stalberg.

The Blackhawks got an offensive lift from their defensemen as Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith scored 17 seconds apart in a four-goal second period.

Bryan Bickell had a goal 1:43 into the game as Chicago finally solved Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo, who may have been shaken up making a save late in the opening period. He was pulled in the final period.

Michael Frolic scored on a breakway after a pass from Bolland to give Chicago a 5-1 lead in the second. Sharp’s first power-play goal early in the third put the Blackhawks up five and just more than a minute later, with 15:55 left in the game, Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault replaced Luongo with Cory Schneider.

Sami Salo scored on a power play for the Canucks in the first period and Daniel Sedin added a power-play goal on a tip-in in the final period.

Chicago played without top defenseman Brent Seabrook, who was ruled out after taking a hard hit from Raffi Torres in Game 3, a blow to the head that many of the Blackhawks thought merited a suspension.

And the Hawks took a few early shots at Torres, especially Keith, Seabrook’s usual mate on the blue line.