Blackhawks Suffer Heartbreaking 3-2 Loss to Canucks After Controversial Call

UPDATE: The Chicago Blackhawks faced a crushing 3-2 shootout loss against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night, marking their 11th consecutive defeat against the team since 2021. This loss is particularly painful as it came after the Hawks squandered a two-goal lead, leaving them with a record of 2-2-2 this season.

The Blackhawks started strong, dominating the first period with a 13-5 advantage in scoring chances and netting two quick goals. However, the momentum shifted in the second period when a controversial call overshadowed the game’s outcome. Tyler Bertuzzi believed he had scored the go-ahead goal with 5:12 left in regulation, only to have it disallowed for goaltender interference. Referee Kelly Sutherland ruled the puck was lodged under Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen’s pad, leading to a dead puck situation.

“They looked at that as a dead puck even though the whistle still wasn’t blown,” said Connor Murphy, reflecting the frustrations of the team.

Coach Jeff Blashill expressed his confidence in the challenge he would make again, stating he would do it “10 out of 10 times.” Bertuzzi, on the other hand, held back from criticizing the call too harshly, acknowledging the potential consequences of doing so.

Despite the setback, the Blackhawks fought to survive two Canucks power plays after the failed challenge and managed to reach overtime, earning a crucial point. Goalie Spencer Knight made key saves during the tense overtime period. However, the Hawks fell short in the shootout, with Brock Boeser ultimately scoring the decisive goal after the Blackhawks failed on four attempts.

“To not put together enough of a push to take a team’s will away — when you have them down against the ropes — is a big difference in winning and losing,” Murphy added. The team clearly recognized this game as a valuable learning experience.

In a surprising twist, the anticipated fight involving Hawks forward Jason Dickinson never materialized. Dickinson had been expected to confront Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood over a past incident, but instead, Sherwood fought Bertuzzi. Dickinson briefly exited the game due to an upper-body injury, demonstrating his determination to contribute despite the setback.

Adding an unexpected layer of excitement, defenseman Louis Crevier engaged in his first NHL fight against Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle last weekend. This incident highlighted Crevier’s growth and physicality, as he successfully landed punches despite suffering an injury himself.

Blashill praised rookie sensation Connor Bedard, who had seven shot attempts but couldn’t net a goal in this matchup. “He wants to win more than anything else,” Blashill remarked, emphasizing Bedard’s commitment to team success over individual accolades.

As the Blackhawks regroup and prepare for their next challenge, they must learn from tonight’s heartbreak. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team bounces back from this setback and whether they can finally overcome their struggles against the Canucks.