The Chicago Blackhawks staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 5-3, highlighted by Connor Bedard’s impressive performances. Bedard scored two goals and provided two assists, solidifying his role as a key player in the match.
Game Overview
The Blackhawks, now with a record of 11 wins, 9 losses, and 5 overtime losses, had been struggling with five consecutive games without a win prior to this match. Spencer Knight made 22 saves for Chicago, while Petr Mrazek recorded 13 saves before leaving the game due to injury.
Key Events and Goals
- First Period: Anaheim quickly established dominance, scoring three goals. Cutter Gauthier opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the game.
- Historic Goals: The Ducks’ back-to-back goals by Gauthier and Olen Zellweger set a record for the fastest two goals in franchise history, achieving this in just 47 seconds.
- Kreider’s Milestone: Chris Kreider scored his 600th NHL point, contributing to the Ducks’ early 3-0 lead.
- Blackhawks Respond: Tyler Bertuzzi scored on a power play, narrowing the gap to 3-1 before the end of the first period.
Turning Point in the Second Period
The Blackhawks began their comeback in the second period. Ryan Greene scored at 6:43, assisted by Bedard, tying the game at 3-3 with a strong performance on a 2-on-1 break.
Crucial Third Period
Bedard took the lead for Chicago, scoring at 9:55. He capitalized on a turnover by the Ducks’ Alex Killorn, finding the net past goalie Ville Husso, who had only been in the game for just 46 seconds. Bedard then secured the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:05.
Ducks’ Performance
For the Ducks (15-9-1), Troy Terry assisted twice, while Gauthier added a goal and an assist. Their strong start was not enough to maintain the lead against Chicago’s resilient comeback.
Upcoming Challenges
The Blackhawks will look to build on this victory, while the Ducks aim to rebound after losing a lead in such a critical matchup.
