Chicago Blackhawks Win One For Clint Reif

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs with teammates during the third period of their NHL game at United Center. Blackhawks won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Blackhawks record a 4-0 shutout the day after equipment manager Clint Reif passes away, honor him throughout game

If fans didn’t know who Clint Reif was before the Chicago Blackhawks matchup Sunday night, it didn’t make much of a difference — everyone stood together quietly before puck drop out of respect for him.

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The team’s assistant equipment manager for the past six seasons passed away this weekend; as a member of the Blackhawks family, the entire franchise showed their support for his family as they paid tribute to the team manager throughout their 4-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Head coach Joel Quenneville issued a statement earlier in the day, expressing their condolences to the wife and four children he left behind. He announced that the team would start the game with a moment of silence, and all the players wore a CR decal on their helmet’s in his honor during the game.

One could argue that the win itself was in his honor, but it went beyond that. On-ice celebrations were subdued, and the game was played with an almost quiet determination from start to finish. After scoring his goal to pull the team ahead to 3-0 midway through the third, Kane — who is almost infamous around the league for his ‘heartbreaker’ goal celebration — was seen quietly celebrating in a way not many have seen from him in the past.

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The team declined to comment further during the pregame media event, and have asked fans to respect the family in their time of mourning.

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