Bedard Records a Pair of Assists in Blackhawks 2-1 OT Win

CHICAGO – No matter what happened–win-or-lose, there would be some judgement for the Chicago Blackhawks even in a preseason game. Could Connor Bedard hold his own? Did the Blackhawks look improved? How about the rest of the youngsters?

The long and short of it is that yes—Connor Bedard looked like the real deal. Yes, the kids looked good–especially Wyatt Kaiser. But the night’s attention was on #98 as he notched two assists in the Blackhawks 2-1 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues.

Bedard received a loud ovation when he was announced and shown on the big board. He drew an ooh and ah when he had a toe drag early in the first period. He looked solid in his Blackhawks debut, notching an assist and looking like he absolutely belongs. Bedard even had a point blank chance with just over 7:30 left that was turned away. But in with a crowd not near capacity, it was still loud. A chance in a three on three in overtime–right off the bat? Loud again.

Finding Andreas Athanasiou for the winning goal in overtime? Bedlam.

There will be a learning curve and some of the Blues were able to stand him up while he tried to enter the zone or skate through the middle of the ice. But for those who paid to see Bedard skate in his first game at the United Center, no one went home disappointed.

If anything, it likely amped up the excitement even more.

Blackhawks Start Strong

Outshooting St. Louis, who was playing a bit lighter without many of their starters, Chicago took it to the Blues early. The Blackhawks had an early power play chance, and nearly coughed up a short handed goal off of a turnover that led to a breakaway–but not converted on. It was back and forth for some time, with Chicago generating chances but unable to get many quality shots on net.

Petr Mrazek looked sharp in his debut, making seven saves on as many shots before Drew Commesso took over at the 9:45 mark of the second period. Chicago finally got on the board after Philipp Kurashev cleaned up a rebound and roofed it for a 1-0 lead. Bedard picked up an assist on the play as he shuffled a shot that generated the rebound. Kevin Korchinski also notched an assist on the play.

Commesso stood tall as well. He turned away a point blank shot and was tested almost immediately as he went into the blue paint. The Blues got on the board with 11 minutes left in the third when Robert Thomas picked the right corner to beat Commesso and even the game at one.

Corey Perry Gets Big Cheers

Remember how Blackhawks fan absolutely hated Corey Perry? It’s safe to say that’s over and done with pretty quickly. After Martin Misiak was rocked by a Hunter Skinner hit that caught Misiak’s head, Perry came flying in to take care of business. The partisan crowd roared its approval with one of Chicago’s newest acquisition.

Safe to say things are good between Blackhawk fans and Perry.