The much bally-hooed streak of the Chicago Blackhawks came to an abrupt end Friday night at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. The same Avalanche who nearly killed the run two nights ago in the windy city came out on their home ice with a purpose.

Welcoming newly signed (and newly numbered 90) Ryan O'Reilly back to the Pepsi Center for his 2013 home debut, Colorado surrendered the first goal of the night. The Avs came roaring back though with five unanswered tallies of their own. Matt Duchene and his fancy white skates led the charge with a goal and three assists during the Avalanche blitz.

Chicago came into the night with a record of 21-0-3 for 45 points. Their streak, primarily a product of the NHL’s scoring system, was basically a string of games where the Blackhawks were able to acquire a point. A non-regulation loss streak sounds decidedly less awesome than a 24 game winning streak, but I guess the string of non-regulation defeats was somewhat impressive.

Chicago has distanced itself from the rest of the Western Conference during their run, sitting 10 points above their closest conference opponent, and 17 points on top of their division over second place Detroit. With home ice almost guaranteed, barring an epic collapse, the Blackhawks control their own destiny.

The streak is, or should I say, was nice, but the Blackhawks have a much more significant goal in mind. Taking a few losses in the regular season will do nothing but build character and resolve in Chicago. Their season will be measured by their performance in the postseason, not by a media generated “non-regulation loss” streak.