Dec. 22--The Blackhawks played Sunday night for a man Jonathan Toews said was so integral to the team, "he might as well have been wearing one of these sweaters."
Toews said the team dedicated its 4-0 victory over the Maple Leafs to Clint Reif, the club's assistant equipment manager since 2005. Reif, 34, died Sunday morning shortly after returning to Chicago from Columbus with the team.
"I commend the guys," coach Joel Quenneville said. "It was an emotional, draining day. They channeled their emotions properly, which was good to see."
Those emotions were plain to see after the game. Asked what made Reif so special, Patrick Sharp began to answer but then apologized and walked out of the dressing room.
Duncan Keith, who was perhaps the player closest to Reif, said: "It was tough. To lose a close friend and have to try to play a hockey game on that same day, it wasn't easy."
The team declined to offer details about Reif's death, and players were not made available before the game or between periods to radio or TV partners.
The Hawks observed a moment of silence before the game and players wore a decal on their helmets with Reif's initials.
Reif, the father of four children, was found unresponsive in his home at 8:32 a.m. Sunday, according to the DuPage County coroner's office. Lombard police and DuPage County officials are investigating the death.
"It's something that has not sunk in for a lot of us yet," said Toews, who scored a third-period goal, his 13th of the season. "We played with heavy hearts out there."
Toews called Reif "a selfless person, always thinking about how he could help others. Just a positive guy, an unbelievable guy to be around. A special dude, for sure."
Said Quenneville: "The trainers (are) a fraternity, which is as tight as any fraternity in any field. They all lost a brother today."
Former Hawk Viktor Stalberg, who now plays for the Predators, tweeted: "One of the best guys I've met through hockey. RIP my friend."
The Hawks were sharp from the start, but the game's first 15 minutes resembled a replay from Saturday night, when they dominated in Columbus but could not prosper.
But all those primo chances bore fruit late in the first period, when David Rundblad broke through with his first Hawks goal -- and the second of his career.
"He moved the puck, made a lot of direct plays," Quenneville said. "I think that's his best game."
Sharp also was superb, recording three assists. Brent Seabrook had two.
And Antti Raanta was outstanding, earning his second shutout of the season by rejecting 31 shots.
Like Quenneville, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle had concerns about his team's focus heading into the game -- but for an entirely different reason.
"The holiday season poses an issue," Carlyle said. "When everyone is out being merry and enjoying the Christmas season, we have to go to work. It's natural for your mind to float to different areas, knowing you have Christmas shopping for your wife or loved ones. Those are little distractions you have to overcome."
The Hawks managed to overcome the loss of a friend. Or, as Toews might put it, a teammate.
tgreenstein@tribune.com
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
