Blackhawks Edge Out Canucks

Even if it's too late, Eric Daze and the Chicago Blackhawks are on a roll.

Daze, who like his team, has struggled for most of the 1998-99 season, scored two goals Monday night to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Although the Blackhawks have been eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight season, Chicago coach Lorne Molleken likes what's he seen from Daze lately.

"He's getting in scoring areas and (Jean-Pierre) Dumont and (Josef) Marha are getting him the puck," said Molleken, whose team is 4-1-0 in its last five games and has won its last six home contests. "I think Eric was playing a game in the first part of the season where he was taking himself out of scoring position to hit people."

Daze now has 21 goals this season. In his three previous seasons, he posted 30, 22 and 31, respectively.

"Right now, I feel like I'm good with the puck and creating offensively," Daze said. "I'm doing much better now, with J.P. and Josef, playing with more confidence."

Chicago improved to 9-6-4 under Molleken, officially the team's interim coach. The Blackhawks have lost only two of their last 10 (5-2-3).

Chicago goaltender Jocelyn Thibault lost his bid for a sixth shutout this season with 5:17 remaining in the third period on a long short-handed goal by Vancouver's Dave Scatchard. Thibault stopped 24 shots as the Blackhawks handed the Canucks their fourth straight defeat.

"We were better in every area tonight, except we couldn't finish," Vancouver coach Marc Crawford said. "I think we worked really hard tonight."

Vancouver goaltender Kevin Weekes, acquired in the Jan. 17 multi-player trade that sent Pavel Bure to Florida, remained winless with the Canucks and in NHL play. Weekes' record with Vancouver dropped to 0-7-1 in 10 games and 0-12-2 in 20 NHL appearances.

Daze gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead wen he scored his 20th at 1:25 of the second period. He completed a 3-on-2 Chicago rush by firing a low shot from the right circle through Weekes' legs.

Daze made it 2-0 at 8:19 of the third period with his 21st goal. He swept across the slot and lifted a high shot over Weekes, who had sprawled to block the attempt.

Scatchard ruined Thibault's shutout bid when his 50-foot shot from the right wing dipped under the Chicago goaltender's glove.

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