HAWKS ZAPPED BY BOLTS; FALL TO 1-5

When the NFHL announced it would be expanding in 1994, it seemed like a pretty good deal for the Chicago Blackhawks. They would play 6 to 8 games against a couple of new teams built mostly from the castaways of the league's 24 franchises. With the team setting a primary goal of increasing its win total compared to last season, the expansion teams could potentially provide some easier matchups and winnable games.

But it hasn't gone as planned yet. After being slaughtered 10-2 by the relocated Columbus Blue Jackets and only managing a 3-3 tie with the new Calgary Flames, the Blackhawks looked to get their 2nd win of the year in their first battle vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Hawks fought hard in this one but came up a bit short in a 4-2 Lightning win.

Chicago started the night off flat-footed as Dan Quinn broke free to score his 2nd of the season only 43 seconds in. This trend continued for most of the period as the Lightning enjoyed a 16-11 shot advantage. The Blackhawks would even the score just under 12 minutes later off the stick of Raimo Helminem but then the Broten Brothers connected on Aaron's goal to put Tampa up 2-1 at the break.

The Hawks tightened up defensively in the final forty minutes, outshooting Tampa Bay 20-12 but it was a quantity over quality situation. Quinn and Neal Broten tallied for the Lightning in the 2nd period while Derek King answered for Chicago in the 3rd. Darrell May stopped 29 of 31 to best Rick Tabaracci. The Blackhawks drop to 1-5 on the year with another matchup vs. Detroit next.

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