DENVER – The best start in NHL history is over. The Blackhawks finally left the ice without a point – but with their heads held high.

The Hawks lost, 6-2, to the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. It was their first loss in regulation and ended a remarkable run in which they earned at least one point in their first 24 games, an NHL record.

"We're proud of it, but it'll be nice to move on now," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "It's hockey, we've lost games before in our lives. It's not like we're going to sit here and cry."