Sharp's shootout goal helps Hawks beat 'Canes

Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrick Sharp scored in the third round of the shootout to help the Chicago Blackhawks take a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

In the third round, Sharp skated in and faked to the forehand before stuffing a low shot past Cam Ward. Corey Crawford then sealed the win when he swallowed up a Jeff Skinner wrister.

Sharp and Marian Hossa scored, while Crawford made 32 stops for the Blackhawks, who have won three straight.

Alexander Semin and Ron Hainsey scored for the Hurricanes, who have dropped three straight. Ward finished the game with 34 saves.

Trailing by two goals entering the third period, the Hurricanes made it a one- goal game 3:54 in as a big slap shot from the right circle by Eric Staal was stopped, but the rebound sat on the doorstep and Semin swept it in for his second of the year.

Carolina tied the game with 6:27 to play, as Hainsey wound up with the puck at the left point and threw it on net. The disc sailed past several players and beat a screened Crawford.

"To come back and tie the game in the third period is a huge confidence booster for this team," said Ward. "We just have to learn how to finish these games."

Chicago took a 1-0 lead at 7:56 of the first as Sharp skated in on a short break and switched to the forehand before beating Ward with a wrister past the glove.

It was a 2-0 game midway through the first, as a botched clear saw Hossa backhand it in from the slot for his second of the season.

"It seems like we always have great starts and wind up making it interesting at the end," said Hossa. "We have to learn from this and manage the game better."

Crawford turned away 14 shots in the second period, while Ward made eight saves in the frame as neither side got one in the net.

Game Notes

Carolina had won five of the previous seven games against Chicago coming into Tuesday's contest ... Carolina hits the road for its next four games, starting in Toronto on Thursday ... Chicago hosts St. Louis on Thursday ... Carolina was scoreless over four power play chances, while Chicago was held off the board on its three man advantages.