CHICAGO – Connor Bedard ended his goal drought in dramatic fashion, scoring the game-winner in overtime to propel the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Friday night at United Center.
Bedard, who had gone eight games without a goal, circled around the net before firing a shot from the slot past Karel Vejmelka, sealing the win for Chicago.
Blackhawks Overcome Early Deficit
Nick Schmaltz put Utah ahead just 56 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a defensive miscue by Chicago. Clayton Keller set up the goal, retrieving the puck behind the net and sending a pass that deflected to Schmaltz, who finished with a stick-side shot.
The Blackhawks responded in the second period when Wyatt Kaiser tied the game at 9:23. After hitting the post, Bedard regained possession and set up Kaiser, who rifled a wrist shot past Vejmelka.
Chicago grabbed the lead at 12:50 when Ilya Mikheyev converted a drop pass from Ryan Donato, weaving through Utah’s defense before slipping a backhand shot under Vejmelka’s left arm.
A penalty shot extended Chicago’s advantage to 3-1 at 14:30 after Frank Nazar was pulled down from behind on a breakaway by John Marino. Nazar made the most of his opportunity, deking before lifting a backhander over Vejmelka’s right pad.
Utah Rallies Late
Utah fought back in the third period, cutting the deficit to 3-2 when John Marino scored his first goal of the season at 5:04 with a shot from the right point.
A power-play goal from Keller at 12:16 evened the score. Mikhail Sergachev set up the play, sliding a crisp pass to Keller, who unleashed a one-timer from the right face-off circle to beat Spencer Knight.
Knight, making his second start since joining Chicago in a trade from Florida, finished with 36 saves, securing his second consecutive victory in net.
Up Next
The Utah Hockey Club will look to bounce back when they host Toronto at Delta Center on Monday night .
