CHICAGO URBAN DAILY
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— The captain is back, and the Blackhawks finally look like the Blackhawks again.
Connor Bedard made his season debut Tuesday night, helping Chicago to a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center — his first game since shoulder surgery July 8, an injury sustained in an offseason training session on July 2.
It took the 21-year-old center no time to make his mark. Bedard recorded a primary assist on Roman Kantserov’s power-play goal in the first period, logged 21:06 of ice time — fourth on the team, first among forwards — and showed instant chemistry skating on the top line with Patrick Kane and Kantserov. After months of rehab, he kept it simple: “Just to be back out there … it’s what I live for.”
Teuvo Teravainen starred with two goals and an assist, including the game-winner midway through the third after Sidney Crosby’s second of the night had tied it 3-3. Kantserov scored twice for the first multi-goal game of his career, and Tyler Bertuzzi sealed it with an empty-netter. Spencer Knight held the fort in goal.
The win is just the second of the season for Chicago, which went 1-5 without its captain and was outscored 26-12. Bedard, named the second-youngest captain in Original Six history on September 15 and fresh off a $75 million extension, was expected to be out until November. He beat that timetable by weeks.
Next up: the Winnipeg Jets visit the United Center tonight.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily as the Hawks try to turn one win into a streak.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
