Game 37: Chicago 5, Red Wings 1

Chicago, IL (1/7/70)- The Red Wings turned in another lackluster performance and dropped their fourth straight game and seventh in their past nine as the Chicago Black Hawks skated away with a 5-1 victory Wednesday night at Chicago Stadium.

Five different Black Hawks scored as they fired 45 shots on a beleaguered Roger Crozier.

Garry Unger scored the lone goal for Detroit (16-12-9).

"Not enough energy a-tall," said Red Wings coach Sid Abel. "We had a couple days off but it didn't seem to help."

Of his team's 2-7 record in the past nine games, Abel said, "We're not getting it done. We have too many guys looking at each other and not in the mirror."

Gordie Howe said, "We won't win another game if we keep playing like this."


Detroit's Gordie Howe and Chicago's Keith Magnuson battle for a loose puck during Wednesday's game 

The game was scoreless after 20 minutes, but Chicago broke through for three goals in the middle period.

Unger scored at 1:50 of the third period to make it 3-1, but any thoughts that the goal would breathe life into the Red Wings were dashed when Stan Mikita buried a wrist shot just 39 seconds later.

The only bright spot for the Red Wings was that their stellar penalty killing continued. The Black Hawks were shutout in six power play chances.

The Red Wings travel to Pittsburgh for a game on Saturday.

DET 0-0-1 = 1
CHI 0-3-2 = 5

1st Period
No scoring

2nd Period
CHI- Nesterenko (Jarrett, Maki) 5:27
CHI- Martin (Koroll, McKay) 11:13
CHI- Maki (Nesterenko, Magnuson) 12:40

3rd Period
DET- Unger (Libett) 1:50
CHI- Mikita (B. Hull) 2:29
CHI- B. Hull (Magnuson, Shmyr) 18:19

Shots on Goal
DET 10-7-13 = 30
CHI 13-13-19 = 45

Goalies
Crozier (DET); Esposito (CHI)

Power Plays
DET 0-for-5; CHI 0-for-6

Penalty Minutes
DET 16; CHI 14

Fights
None