The Chicago Blackhawks played their 19th game of the season on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames at the United Center, marking their second encounter this season. Fresh from a strong victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks entered the game with confidence, while the Flames, holding the NHL’s worst record, sought a breakthrough.
Earlier in the season, Chicago shut out Calgary 4-0 in Calgary, a physical game with several penalties. In this latest matchup, Ryan Donato opened the scoring at 15:05 in the first period, ending the Blackhawks’ scoring drought and earning an assist for Louis Crevier, who netted his eighth goal of the season. Oliver Moore also assisted. At 2:15:11 into the game, Connor Bedard scored with a burst of speed and skill, assisted by Sam Lindsell, who cleared the puck from defense.
Calgary managed to score their first goal against Chicago this season late in the second period, with Matt Coronato narrowing the gap to one goal after nearly five full periods without scoring against them. The Flames tied the game in the third period, with Rasmus Andersson and Arvid Soderblom each scoring two goals.
However, Connor Bedard quickly responded less than two minutes into the third, scoring again assisted by Ryan Green. Oliver Moore then scored his second career goal, providing the Blackhawks with a cushion that Head Coach Moore praised post-game. Bedard completed his second hat trick of the season by firing a shot into an empty Flames net as they pushed to equalize in the final moments.
Bedard now boasts 13 goals and 29 points in 19 games, showcasing a remarkable run that strengthens his case for representing Canada at the Olympics. His hat trick helped the Blackhawks secure a 5-2 victory, improving their record to 10-5-4 with 24 points, positioning them close to a playoff spot by American Thanksgiving—a key milestone in the NHL calendar.
Up next, the Blackhawks will face the Seattle Kraken Thursday night. Earlier this month, Seattle defeated Chicago 3-1 in Seattle.
Fan Take: This game highlights Connor Bedard’s rising stardom and impact on the Blackhawks, signaling a bright future for the team and Canadian hockey. For fans, Bedard’s performance is exciting proof that the NHL’s next generation of talent is ready to take center stage.
