SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Jonathan Cheechoo offset fellow rookie Tyler Arnason's first career hat trick Saturday night by scoring midway through the third period to lift the San Jose Sharks into a 3-3 tie with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Named NHL Rookie of the Month for October, Arnason accounted for all of Chicago's offense, scoring twice in the first period and netting a power-play goal early in the second to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead.
But the 22-year-old Cheechoo utilized his speed in the third, streaking down the right wing before unleashing a wrist shot from the faceoff circle that deflected off goaltender Jocelyn Thibault's right pad and into the net at 10:10 for his third tally of the season.
Niklas Sundstrom and Mike Ricci also scored for the Sharks, who are unbeaten in their last four home games (3
1-0).
Steve Sullivan and Eric Daze each had two assists for Chicago, which moved to 6-1-3-0 in its last 10 contests.
