Kane finds a new way to ignite Hawks in win

Patrick Kane couldn't remember the last time he was used as a penalty killer.

But the preseason is a time for experimenting, which is why Kane was on the ice late in the first period Friday night at the United Center with the Blackhawks short-handed and trailing 2-0.

Kane admitted he was "cheating" in the neutral zone when a Brent Seabrook clearing attempt squirted to him. Kane scored on a breakaway to give the Hawks some juice as they rallied to beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 for their first victory of the preseason.

"They came up to me before the game and I thought they were joking," Kane said after scoring the first short-handed goal of his pro career. "They put me out the first time and I kind of cheated a little bit and got a breakaway."

Kane would love to see more minutes as a penalty killer but isn't counting on it.

"If that helps the team, but I'm sure there are a lot better guys suited for keeping the puck out of our net," Kane said. "Maybe if they need a little offensive surge to try and get things going. A goal like that can change the whole game. I'll try it and if it works out, great."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville also used Dustin Byfuglien as a penalty killer in the preseason opener against Washington when the winger normally doesn't do it.

"We've tried things," Quenneville said. "Getting some experience and exposure to it is something we can look at."

The Hawks played their best game of the preseason after three losses, outshooting the Wild 32-19 and getting the winning goal from Rob Klinkhammer on a tip-in with 5:20 to play.

After the game, Quenneville said all 29 players remaining on the roster would be making the trip to Switzerland for the final two exhibition games on Monday and Tuesday in Zurich.

That means players such as forwards Klinkhammer, Evan Brophey, Bryan Bickell and Jake Dowell and defenseman Jordan Hendry still have a shot to make the club.

Klinkhammer, Brophey, Bickell, Dowell and Hendry all played and contributed to Friday's win. Bickell had 5 of the Hawks' 21 hits.

"We'll see how some of the guys play," Quenneville said. "They had real good games and deserve at least another game when we get to Switzerland."

Winger Radek Smolenak also is making the trip after being acquired Friday on waivers from Tampa Bay.

The Hawks got a major scare 34 seconds into the second period when Jonathan Toews was boarded by Andy Hilbert and grabbed his left leg. But after leaving the bench briefly, Toews returned to play a regular shift.

"At that moment it was a dangerous looking play, but he came out of it OK," Quenneville said.

Martin Havlat made his return to the UC and had a goal and assist for the Wild in the loss.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=324355">Hossa happy with decision to have surgery <span class="date"> [9/25/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>