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Buffalo, N.Y. • Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane can finally focus solely on his NHL career after avoiding criminal charges in a rape investigation, with prosecutors ending a bizarre three-month ordeal that put one of hockey's biggest stars at the center of intense speculation and criticism.
Prosecutors announced Thursday they declined to file charges against Kane because of a lack of credible evidence in a case "rife with reasonable doubt." The accuser signed an affidavit saying she did not want to press charges, prosecutors said.
Roland Cercone, a lawyer for the 21-year-old woman who made the accusation, did not return messages seeking comment from The Associated Press. A person who answered the accuser's mother's cellphone hung up Thursday when contacted by The AP.
Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said a three-month investigation found that physical and forensic evidence "tend to contradict" the accuser's claim that she was raped on Aug. 2 at Kane's offseason home outside Buffalo.
"The DNA results lend no corroboration whatsoever to the complainant's claim," said Sedita, who decided against presenting the case to a grand jury for possible charges.
"I have repeatedly said that I did nothing wrong," Kane said in a statement issued by the Blackhawks. "I have respected the legal process and I am glad that this matter has now been closed and I will have nothing further to say going forward."
It's not immediately clear whether Kane could face disciplinary action from the National Hockey League. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league wouldn't comment until reviewing the prosecutor's findings.
The investigation led to Kane's removal from the cover of a popular video game and fan chants of "She said no!" and "No means no!" during a couple of early road games.
With a goal and assist in a 6-5 overtime loss to St. Louis on Wednesday, Kane's 18 points have him ranked third in the NHL's scoring race. —
NHL standings
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Montreal 15 12 2 1 25 55 27
Ottawa 13 7 4 2 16 40 39
Tampa Bay 15 7 6 2 16 38 37
Boston 12 6 5 1 13 43 40
Detroit 12 6 5 1 13 30 31
Florida 12 5 4 3 13 34 26
Buffalo 13 5 8 0 10 29 39
Toronto 12 2 8 2 6 26 40
Metropolitan GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Washington 12 9 3 0 18 40 29
N.Y. Rangers 12 8 2 2 18 36 23
N.Y. Islanders 14 7 4 3 17 39 35
Pittsburgh 12 8 4 0 16 27 22
New Jersey 12 6 5 1 13 29 31
Carolina 12 5 7 0 10 26 34
Philadelphia 12 4 6 2 10 24 37
Columbus 13 3 10 0 6 30 48
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Central GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Dallas 13 10 3 0 20 46 37
St. Louis 13 9 3 1 19 36 31
Nashville 12 8 2 2 18 35 27
Winnipeg 14 8 4 2 18 42 38
Minnesota 12 7 3 2 16 37 35
Chicago 13 7 5 1 15 33 32
Colorado 12 4 7 1 9 33 36
Pacific GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Los Angeles 12 8 4 0 16 29 25
Vancouver 13 6 3 4 16 38 29
San Jose 12 6 6 0 12 33 33
Arizona 11 5 5 1 11 30 32
Edmonton 13 5 8 0 10 36 41
Anaheim 12 3 7 2 8 17 31
Calgary 13 3 9 1 7 30 56
Thursday's Games
Ottawa 3, Winnipeg 2, SO
Tampa Bay 4, Buffalo 1
Washington 4, Boston 1
Montreal 4, N.Y. Islanders 1
Nashville 3, Minnesota 2
Philadelphia at Calgary, late
Colorado at Arizona, late
Florida at San Jose, late
Columbus at Los Angeles, late
Friday's Games
Detroit at Toronto, 5 p.m.
Chicago at New Jersey, 5 p.m.
Dallas at Carolina, 5 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at Colorado, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Anaheim, 8 p.m.