Analysis
Despite late rally Blackhawks lose 5-2 to Utah in season opener
The Chicago Blackhawks started the 2024-25 NHL Season with a tough road matchup against the new kids on the block – the Utah Hockey Club. Sadly, facing a new team, the Blackhawks fell into old habits losing 5-2.
Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson hoped to leave preseason problems in the preseason. A slow start in the first period was a staple of the Blackhawks throughout the preseason, and unfortunately old habits die hard. The Hawks ended the first period down 2-0 with just a few scoring chances in the offensive zone.
The Blackhawks Score Sheet against the Utah Hockey Club:
1st Period:
4:56 UHC: Dylan Guenther (1) [CHI 0 – UHC 1]
Assisted by Michael Kesselring (1) Logan Cooley (1)
13:35 UHC: Clayton Keller (1) [CHI 0 – UHC 2]
Assisted by Nick Schmaltz (1), Barrett Hayton (1)
2nd Period:
8:46 UHC: Barrett Hayton (1) [CHI 0 – UHC 3]
Assisted by Mikhail Sergachev (1), Nick Schmaltz (2)
14:27 CHI: Teuvo Teravainen (1) [CHI 1 – UHC 3]
Assisted by Connor Bedard (1), Seth Jones (1)
3rd Period:
4:46 CHI: Nick Foligno (1) [CHI 2 – UHC 3]
Assisted by Alex Vlasic (1), Connor Bedard (2)
19:16 UHC: Dylan Guenther (2) [CHI 2 – UHC 4]
Unassisted
19:38 UHC: Lawson Crous (1) [CHI 2 – UHC 5]
Unassisted
Stars and standouts:
Connor Bedard registered two assists in the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Bedard had a handful of linemates tonight, it looks like finding Bedard’s linemates will continue to be a theme throughout the opening road trip.
Philipp Kurashev looked great tonight. Kurashev fit right in as the second line center, generating a lot of scoring chances on one of the Hawks strongest lines. While he didn’t score tonight, Kurashev did have plenty of looks.
Philip Kurashev hits the post on an open net, and he was not happy with himself going to the bench. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/s95appZ6YQ
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 9, 2024
Highlights:
After a tough start, the Chicago Blackhawks finally got on the board near the end of the second period. Chicago came out with some speed in the second period, looking to make up from a bad start. This was a good break for the team that gave them some life going into the second intermission.
The Chicago #Blackhawks first goal of the season!
Teuvo Teravainen after a great setup from Connor Bedard
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨pic.twitter.com/6mPtCquhRf
— Jim Lynch (@JimRLynch) October 9, 2024
Utah came out flying in the third period. Who else but the captain Nick Foligno to bring the Blackhawks deficit to just one goal five minutes into the third?
MY CAPTAIN 🫡 pic.twitter.com/JkUqUZRiNk
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 9, 2024
The Blackhawks won’t have to late too long to take the ice again. Chicago will play the second of a four game road trip on Friday against Winnipeg.
