HELSINKI (Reuters) - The Chicago Blackhawks enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday to secure a split of their season-opening series in Finland.
Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist and Finnish goaltender Antti Niemi made 23 saves to lead the Blackhawks to victory as the NHL continued to expand its international brand.
Brian Campbell, Patrick Sharp and Dustin Byfuglien also scored for Chicago, which controlled most of the play against a Florida team that visibly tired as the game progressed.
On Friday, Florida's Finnish defenseman Ville Koistinen gave the fans something to cheer by scoring the winning goal in a shootout to secure a 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks in the first NHL regular season game played in Finland.
On Saturday, it was Niemi's turn as he notched his first shutout in just his fourth NHL game and earned a rousing cheer from supporters after the game.
"It's an unbelievable feeling. Getting to play a game in Finland, and (to) get a win and get a shutout... it's amazing to be able to do this," Niemi said.
STRONG START
Kane continued his strong start to the season, picking up an assist on Campbell's goal in the first period when the defenseman blasted a slapshot past screened Florida goaltender Tomas Vokoun.
Kane made it 2-0 to the Blackhawks by knocking in a rebound off a Patrick Sharp shot in the second period.
With less than a minute left in the period, Sharp increased the lead to 3-0 when he took a pass from Kris Versteeg and backhanded the puck past Vokoun.
Byfuglien rounded out the scoring in the third period, getting the puck behind the Florida defense and banging it past Voukoun.
Kane looked sharp throughout the two games in Helsinki, leaving the Finnish capital with four points.
Florida coach Peter BeBoer was satisfied with a split versus a tough Chicago team but conceded his side was outplayed on Saturday.
"I thought offensively they smothered us and we got the result we deserved... they are a very good club," he said.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
