Neither Turco nor Hawks can finish in 7-5 loss

DENVER — There was a lot of anger in the Blackhawks' dressing room following Monday's night's collapse at the Pepsi Center.

The Hawks led by a goal with less than three minutes to play only to lose to the Avalanche 7-5 in what was their most pathetic defensive effort of the season.

Defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook each were minus-4, with Seabrook committing 2 turnovers that led directly to goals, including Matt Duchene's with 1:24 to play that snapped a 5-5 tie.

Forwards Patrick Sharp and Tomas Kopecky were each minus-3 and Jonathan Toews minus-2.

“It's devastating, embarrassing, humiliating. I don't know what word you want to use, but it's not going to be a good one,” Toews said. “I don't know what it is. It doesn't seem to matter who we play against, our level of satisfaction just gets right up there for no reason in particular.

“I don't really understand. That's what ticks me off so much. We know what we have to do as a team to go out there and find a way to win with five minutes left and up a goal and we just do the things that we know are going to set us up to fail. We're going to come in here all ticked off, but what good is that going to do? The game is over and we didn't get the 2 points.”

Quenneville didn't know where to start when reviewing the defensive blunders in front of goalies Marty Turco and Corey Crawford.

“It might have been giveaways, it might have been coverage, it might have been mental mistakes,” Quenneville said.

“Our back end had a real tough night. Some games you remember that got away, and that was one of them. It feels like you got kicked in the gut. We weren't sharp all night and were fortunate to have a lead.”

Turco got a chance to retake the net, but he was pulled 40 seconds into the second period after allowing 4 goals on 10 shots.

Crawford, who Quenneville reluctantly sat after getting the Hawks points in eight straight games, played well in relief. But the Hawks collapsed around him late when the Avs scored 3 goals in the final 2:24, including an empty-netter.

“I feel bad for Marty,” defenseman Brian Campbell said. “There's only so many 2-on-0s he can stop. I think every one of us owes him an apology.”

Crawford was very good in relief, and it looked as if the Hawks might win after they took their first lead of the night 5-4 on Troy Brouwer's second power-play goal with 8:17 to play.

But Tomas Fleischmann scored with 2:24 left on a shot that hit something on the way. Then Seabrook's turnover behind the net led to Duchene's winner.

“It thought Crow was fine there and did a good job,” Quenneville said. “He gave us a chance right to the end.”

Tim Sassone's game tracker

<p><b>Three stars</b></p>

<p><b>1. Matt Duchene, Avs: </b>Two goals, including the game winner, and an assist.</p>

<p><b>2. Troy Brouwer, Hawks: </b>Scored 2 power-play goals and had an assist.</p>

<p><b>3. Tomas Fleischmann, Avs: </b>Tied the game with 2:24 left and had 2 assists.</p>

<p><b>The defense rests</b></p>

<p>Hawks coach Joel Quenneville called it a tough night for the team's back end, with the spotty play of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith standing out. Both defensemen were minus-4 with Seabrook committing 2 turnovers that led to goals. Keith now is minus-11 for the year.</p>