High drama, but Hawks unable to cap night with victory

For the Blackhawks, the night nearly ended as dramatically as it started.

But an apparent tying goal by Rene Bourque with 32 seconds to play was wiped out as the Hawks lost 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks at a sold-out United Center, ending their home winning streak at five.

Referee Steve Kozari immediately ruled Bourque batted the puck into the net with glove, though it was still on his stick, a ruling that held up through a video review.

"It was a natural reaction; the puck came to me and it went off my glove," Bourque said. "I would say it's against the rules. I kind of moved my hands going toward the goal."

Hawks coach Denis Savard grudgingly agreed that the call probably was correct.

"But to me, your hands are attached to your stick," Savard said. "It's not like you batted it with your hand. Maybe it's something they should look at. If it hits your stick, it's good. It's a game of inches, I guess."

The Hawks are hoping the loss only temporarily halts their playoff drive. They trail Nashville and the playoff spot by 6 points after the Predators beat Calgary 2-1 Friday night in overtime.

"We'll come to practice tomorrow and get back to work," Brent Seabrook said. "It's still in reach. We've got to keep battling and get some wins."

Savard would still consider it a successful three-win week if his team can knock off Edmonton on Sunday at the UC.

"These kids know what's at stake," Savard said. "They'll come back."

The Sharks showed why they're the fourth-best defensive team in the NHL by holding the Hawks to 19 shots on goal.

"It was a frustrating game for us tonight," Bourque said. "We didn't play like we have been for the last few weeks. Our forecheck wasn't there tonight and we didn't spend a lot of time in their end. We're not going to score goals if we don't."

The Hawks rode the momentum from a stirring pregame ceremony for Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita and took a 1-0 lead 3:35 into the first period on a power-play goal by Seabrook.

However, the Sharks responded and tied it 17 seconds later when Jonathan Cheechoo scored off a pass from Joe Thornton, slipping the puck through goalie Patrick Lalime.

San Jose went ahead 2-1 at 12:45 when the Hawks let Thornton set up shop behind the net and spot Kyle McLaren cutting down the slot for the shot past Lalime.

Thornton finished with 2 assists.

"He's a great player, about as good as they come," Savard said.

Moments later, the Hawks had a two-man advantage for 56 seconds but came up empty. It was their seventh consecutive failed 5-on-3.

The Hawks did make it 2-2 before the end of the first period on Jonathan Toews' 19th goal at 18:09.

San Jose got the only goal in a mostly even second period when Patrick Marleau got free and beat Lalime with a hard wrist shot from the left side.

"On their first 2 goals, we had possession of the puck," Savard said. "We battled with them and just didn't get the result."

The Hawks finished the season series 0-4 against the Sharks, losing four times by 1 goal.

"They're a great team," Seabrook said. "But four 1-goal games shows how good a team we are."