CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks skated to center ice, formed a tight circle and raised their sticks into the air in remembrance of assistant equipment manager Clint Reif after they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 on Sunday.

The Blackhawks discovered Reif had died at the age of 34 earlier in the day. Reif's passing hit the Blackhawks hard, as many of them had gotten to know him and become friends with him over the years. Reif was in his ninth season with the Blackhawks.

"He was just a selfless person," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "He was never thinking about himself. Thinking about how he could help others. It’s tough. Just a positive guy, a great guy to be around -- unbelievable. He’s part of our team. He might as well have been wearing one of these sweaters."

Many of the Blackhawks felt that way about Reif. It's what made playing in Sunday’s game so difficult and winning 4-0 so rewarding.

"It's tough to describe," Toews said. "You have to find ways to get [your] minds together and go out there and play as a team. It’s really tough to describe. [It's] something that still hasn't sunk in for most of us yet.

"We definitely were playing with heavy hearts out there. Like I said, we're still in disbelief. The fact we went out there and played the way we did, we dedicated that one to our good friend Clint. I'm glad we got the win tonight."

The Blackhawks wore "CR" decals on their helmets during the game, and a moment of silence was held for Reif at the United Center before the game.

Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp wasn't able to completely turn off his emotions during or after the game. He said the Blackhawks thought of Reif throughout the game. Afterward, Sharp had to stop his interview session because he was too emotional to speak.

"I think you did think about it in the game today," Sharp said. "Normally, when the game starts, you can kind of turn off whatever issues you have going on in your personal life, but tonight, I don't think anybody was able to do that. It was very quiet on the bench, very quiet in the locker room, and we wanted to make sure we had a good game for Clint and his family."

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, another team veteran, also spoke to how difficult the day had been on him and his teammates.

"Obviously, it was tough," Keith said. "I think it’s not every day you have to go through something like that, where you lose a close friend and have to try and play a hockey game on that same day, so it wasn't easy."

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was pleased his team was able to play as well it did, considering the circumstances. The Blackhawks extended their home win streak to eight games. Quenneville was also affected by Reif’s passing and had tears in his eyes when he spoke of Reif before the game.

"I commend the guys," Quenneville said. "Very emotional, draining day. They come up and play such a solid game from Antti [Raanta] on the way out."

The DuPage County Coroners Office and the Lombard Police Department are investigating Reif's death, according to a press release by the DuPage County Coroners Office on Sunday. The release included that he was found unresponsive at his home by members of the Lombard police and fire departments on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at 8:32 a.m. in his home.

Reif is survived by his wife, Kelly, and four children.