In their first game of the preseason, the Chicago Blackhawks battled the St. Louis Blues at the United Center Thursday night. Fans filled the United Center with excitement and curiosity as they caught our first glimpse of the Blackhawks’ top prospect Connor Bedard.
Goaltender Petr Mrázek started in net for Chicago. The Hawks scored the first goal of the game shortly when forward Philipp Kurashev scored top-shelf to the left of Blues goalie Joel Hofer. Bedard was given the assist.
Mrázek stopped all eight of the shots he faced through the first period and half of the second before leaving the game. Goaltender prospect Drew Commesso entered the game for the second half. The Blues tied it up 1-1 with 11 minutes left in the third period. Forward Robert Thomas beating Commesso.
With less than a minute left in overtime, Bedard and forward Andreas Athanasiou charged down the ice. Speeding ahead, Bedard and got the pass around the Blues player to Athanasiou who ended the game; Bedard notched his second assist of the night. The Blackhawks won the first game of the six-game preseason 2-1.
The Hawks take on the Minnesota Wild Sept. 30 at the Xcel Energy Center.
