UPDATE: The Chicago Blackhawks faced a crushing 3-2 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night, marking their 11th consecutive defeat against the Canucks since 2021. The heartbreaker was compounded by a controversial disallowed goal from forward Tyler Bertuzzi late in regulation, leaving fans and players in disbelief.
With just 5:12 left in the third period, Bertuzzi appeared to have scored, but the goal was waved off for goaltender interference. Referee Kelly Sutherland informed defenseman Connor Murphy that the puck was considered a dead play, lodged under Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen‘s pad. Murphy stated, “They looked at that as a dead puck even though the whistle still wasn’t blown.” The Blackhawks argued that since Bertuzzi only pushed the puck over the line, the goal should have counted.
Head coach Jeff Blashill expressed his frustration, asserting he would challenge the call again “10 out of 10 times.” Bertuzzi echoed this sentiment, saying, “I think it was not that great of a call,” despite refraining from further comment to avoid a potential fine.
The Blackhawks initially led the game, showcasing a strong first period with a 2-0 lead and a commanding 13-5 advantage in scoring chances. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum as the Canucks rallied back, taking the game to a shootout after surviving two power plays against them.
In overtime, Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight made crucial saves, but the team faltered in the shootout, with all four attempts failing before Brock Boeser clinched the win for the Canucks. Murphy lamented the missed opportunity, stating, “To not put together enough of a push to take a team’s will away is a big difference in winning and losing.”
In the midst of the game, expectations rose for a fight involving Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson, stemming from an incident last season. Dickinson had expressed readiness to face any consequences for a hit on Canucks’ Filip Chytil. Surprisingly, no altercation occurred with Dickinson, but a significant fight broke out between Louis Crevier and Canucks defenseman Kaiden Guhle, marking Crevier’s first fight in the NHL.
Crevier, who recently made his NHL debut in December 2023, continues to demonstrate improvement, with Blashill praising his defensive skills and physicality. “Getting in the fight was great for Louis, too. It shows he’s got that physicality and is going to bring more of that edge,” Blashill noted.
Despite the loss, Blackhawks fans remain hopeful as Connor Bedard continues to impress, firing off seven shot attempts during the game. Blashill commended Bedard’s competitiveness and dedication to winning, emphasizing his importance to the team’s culture.
The Blackhawks now stand at 2-2-2 for the season, with their next matchup looming. Fans will be watching closely to see if the team can learn from this heart-wrenching defeat and turn the tide moving forward.
