DENVER, March 9 (UPI) -- Matt Duchene touched off a four-goal second period Friday that sent Colorado to a 6-2 win and brought an emphatic end to Chicago's record point streak.
The Blackhawks played their first 23 games of the season without suffering a loss in the regulation 60 minutes -- their only three previous setbacks having come in overtime. That was the longest such streak to begin a season in NHL history.
In addition, Chicago had earned a point in 30 consecutive games dating to last season, the second-longest stretch ever in the league. The Blackhawks had also won their previous 11 games, the longest winning streak the proud franchise had ever produced.
All of that came crashing down Friday when the Avalanche bombarded a pair of Chicago goaltenders.
It was a 1-1 contest through one period, but Duchene and John Mitchell scored 33 seconds apart early in the second to start the onslaught. Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn also scored in the second period, leaving Chicago with too large of a hill to climb.
Duchene had three assists in addition to his go-ahead goal.
Semyon Varlamov picked up his first win in three starts by making 31 saves. Corey Crawford surrendered five goals on 19 shots in the opening two periods before giving way to Ray Emery.
Chicago's last loss in regulation had come on March 25, 2012.
