PRESS CONFERENCE: Connor Bedard, Louis Crevier, Nick Foligno, Jeff Blashill HAT TRICK Game

PRESS CONFERENCE: Connor Bedard, Louis Crevier, Nick Foligno, Jeff Blashill HAT TRICK Game

coming to Winnipeg. Conor Bernard, I mean, it just seemed like it was only a matter of time and just to to see him hit that hat-tick tonight. Yeah. And for me, like I think Conor’s had a great start to the year. Um, you know, he’s done so many things the right way. Uh, he’s defending hard. He’s stopping on pucks. He’s doing a lot of things that that create, you know, that are winning hockey habits. I think he’s had a lot of um he’s he’s created a lot of offense that hasn’t always, you know, ended up in in goals necessarily, whether it’s him or uh you know, making a pass. It just hasn’t what for whatever reason, but there’s been certainly those opportunities where he’s, you know, for nights like this and and so for him to get rewarded for that, I think is great. Well, how critical is that third goal? Because you guys were coming off that second period, they’re within one and that kind of gave the confidence or kind of got it’s a huge it’s a huge goal, you know, and and um you know, they were obviously pushing and and we needed to kind of have a have an answer and that those are big answers, you know, when you can score like that, that’s a big answer. So, um again, I thought it was I I think it’s just kind of been a culmination of of I think a really good start for Connor to be honest with you. your scale success rate probably hasn’t been as high as you wanted this year. My own two. Yeah. Yeah. What’s what what I obviously took a time out and looked at it closely. You guys thought it Yeah. I I um I would challenge the what was the other one against Vancouver. Um I’d do that all day every day. Still again. You tell me. I’ll challenge that all day. Uh this one I probably wouldn’t, you know, like we probably ultimately um when I looked at it probably when we we I rewound it a little bit longer. you know, you’re kind of whatever. You’re looking through different stuff and there’s a lot a lot of stuff that goes on and the puck travels. Those are the hardest ones. The possession and control. Uh but when I looked at it uh in between periods, uh I I I don’t think I would challenge. That’s on me. How was that kill? I will say this, sometimes, you know, when you challenge um if you can get the kill, you do kind of gain some momentum from it, you know, and there was definitely a feeling on our bench we should challenge it. And I’m not saying you should listen to uh you know the players cuz they’re emotional at times, but uh there was definitely a feeling that we should challenge it. So good for us. So we went out there, we killed it. We got a two on. Didn’t score on it, but we got a two on. And so sometimes it’s it’s a bigger thing than just whether you win or lose the challenge. Obviously, we get scored on there. It’s a tough uh tough look or tough result, not look. I don’t care about looks, but um but I did think we get a little momentum after that. But yeah, you know, I told the linesman after in the third uh they made the right call with counter. he used to take a lot more chances and just wasn’t playing the way he’s playing this year. Did you guys say something before the year started? I mean, I know it’s your first year. He’s playing, like you said, more winning hockey. Was that something that you guys tried to still do this before the year started? So, the biggest thing I would say is is where I’ve been super impressed with Connor is he wants to win more than anything else. And I’ve said this already this year, he wants to win more than he wants to score. He wants to win more than he wants to point. He wants to he wants to win. And and I would say that true of the rest of the group in the in the locker room to be honest with you. I think they all really they want to win. They don’t want to be scorers on bad teams. And um Connor and every other guy in the team, we talked about the importance of winning hockey and winning hockey habits. And that’s been a message going back to the summer uh individual conversations we had throughout the summer uh into not just with Connor, with all our guys into training camp. Day one uh into the first day of training camp was all about winning habits. Um, that’s what we’re trying to instill here. And and for me, that’s going to help lead the long-term success. It’s nice to see Connor have an offensive night like tonight to get rewarded for the for the the the good two-way play that he’s had because um you know what I don’t want is uh not get rewarded and all a sudden you start cheating for your offense because that’ll equal not winning. And so he’s done it the right way and I’m I’m good for him. It’s been great. Is there a common theme to these second periods? H that’s a really good question. And um you know, we just talked about it. As a staff, we got to kind of do a deep dive and see why we struggle uh in the second. It seems like we get hemmed in more on our end in the second than we do in the first and third. And um if I had the answer, we’d have it fixed. Uh you know, you know how that goes. For whatever reason, we we uh we we don’t seem to break the puck out as well out of Dzone coverage specifically, and then we just get hemmed in for way too long. So, it’s something we got to look at. um something we got to make sure that we try to figure out and get an answer for. How big is it to get two points tonight ahead of the road trip instead of the other way around? Well, I think I think it’s big in a couple ways. Like, you know, is the third kind of time we’ve had a team coming in here in a back toback and we played a really good first and you don’t want to keep squandering those opportunities to to get those two points. And and I’m not saying those are easy wins. That’s not the case, you know. But when you do have a great a really good first period, you want to then make sure you kind of get it done. So I think that’s a huge thing. Are they going on the road? Obviously, you know, it’ll be uh tough chip in Western Canada. There’s a lot of good hockey teams. You know, it’s harder to win on the road in this league. And so I think it’s great to get those two points. You mentioned the two on the first penalty kill with the challenge, but how nice is it to get the reward for Frank on that short-handed goal in the third period when you’ve had a lot seemingly a lot of chances to get shorties? Yeah, no, no doubt. And I think, you know, short-handed goals are something that are are uh are real important. Um I think it’s a big part of penalty killing if you can score because it it it ultimately if you kind of get the reputation, you can score. It puts the other team on their heels before the game starts. Um and we have had chances and we haven’t done it. So it was great that he was able to to to kind of accelerate like he can’t accelerate and get that goal. What did you say during the timeout? Uh honestly, we’re more just looking at the one thing I said was just to remind guys, we’re up four to three. like we were the team in the lead and sometimes when you know another team’s mounting a comeback it feels like you’re down and we weren’t. We were up four to three and no matter what happens on the challenge we got to react uh positively and make sure we we find a way to kill it and move on. You obviously don’t want to have penalties but your penalty kill has been really good all season. Is there like a sense of comfort that you have when you go on that penico? No. But but I it’s been it’s I will say this like I thought early in the year um it wasn’t great but we kind of got away with some. I think it’s been much better. Like I thought tonight it was actually pretty good. Um so you know and I you know we did a little bit better job of not taking penalties tonight. We need to continue to do a better job not taking penalties. Um, but certainly, you know, with the kill, I think our guys are gaining confidence in it. So, that’s a positive factor for sure. And just continue to gain confidence matters a ton and whether it’s special teams or individual players. And so, good good for our kill. Can you comment on Colton Dock’s play tonight? Well, I think I think Docker has done a good job uh really the last two games. You know, I think he’s um uh you know, I thought the last game, his first period was really good. Like, I thought he did a lot of things that power forwards do. Um, you know, tonight he’s he’s he’s, you know, at the net. Um, I I thought he I thought he thought he’s been physical. Um, I think he’s like in the top five in hits in the league. Uh, all those things that are important that don’t always show up in the score sheet. I know for him, you know, it’s probably the score helps him kind of that confidence in it and and uh, you know, it’s an important factor, but I think Colton’s done a good job. I’m a I’ve been a fan of uh, of kind of his approach and what he is and he is different than a lot of our players. He’s a big strong power forward. What does it say both about Tyler Bertusi as an individual, but also kind of the camaraderie that you have in the room that when things got chippy there in the third period, coming back from dealing with, you know, something that kept him out of action that he would be one of the guys that jumps in as aggressively as he did there? T I’ve been around Tyler a long time. Tyler’s a foxhole guy, man. I’ll take him all day, every day on any team I’ve ever I ever coach. Uh he’s a foxhole guy and you want him in your foxhole and and um he he’ll look he’ll he’ll stick up for himself, stick up for his teammates. Um he he kind of embodies what we want to be as a group, you know. So it was honestly really good to have him back. It was good to have him in, you know, and uh uh he’s a big piece of of what we want to be here and and I’ve been really really impressed with him and his start and what he’s done and his approach. Uh again, I’ve known him a long time. Uh he’s been dialed in this year for sure. The upcoming road trip is longer than usual. Is there anything special you need to prepare for road trip like that? Uh debate two suits versus three. Um I’m going to probably go two. Uh uh you know, I mean there’s nothing, you know, like ultimately we’re not going to practice tomorrow. Um you know, so we’ll meet at the plane. Uh hopefully uh you just got to kind of go through it. I mean it’s it is what it is. Like it’s just part of it. I don’t mind long road trips to be honest with you. I think the ones that are harder when you’re constantly bouncing back and forth, you know, so going on the road for a while doesn’t you kind of get in the mode of it and everybody. So uh there’ll be zero excuse for us on the road. We got to go find a way to have success. McKay traveling with you. Yeah, he’s traveling. Uh I would say you know definitely still dayto-day. I hope he’s available on uh Thursday. Spencer Nel, anything that surprised you or is this like he didn’t have a ton of Nel experience, but he looks like Yeah. Um first off, I think Spencer has benefited from spending time in Florida and spending time with Bob Rosski, spending time with that with that team. I think it really helped him uh you know kind of shape what’s important in in in just you know his approach and and he’s he’s been he’s he’s added really good insight to me of of what that winning hockey that they’ve done there looks like. Um he’s he’s uh I think I always knew he’s really athletic um going back to his days at the national team development program where I watched him play a good amount. Um but he’s also very calm in the net. That’s probably, if you ask me what surprised me, it’s that uh he’s done a really good job of of being calm, but then using his athleticism to make big saves at big moments. To have that moment and and just what was the feeling when that third one went in? Um yeah, it’s nice. Uh you know, I think just how our whole team celebrates each other um in in moments like that. Uh and then, you know, kind of the fans reaction was was awesome. you know, we have so much support and um you know, obviously you want to get a head anywhere, but to get one at home is is nice and to kind of have that support is is unbelievable. I know you’ve always had confidence, but how much just the way this whole group is playing this year does that even give you more out there in in your game? Yeah, I think you know no matter what you’re going to go into every game like you can win, but you know we really have such a belief in here in our group and um you know I think coming into the year if you ask people that you know weren’t a part weren’t a part of our team um their expectations it might have been low but we never thought like that and obviously it’s it’s only 10 games in we have a you know a ton of work to do but uh we just believe in one another and and it’s such a you know tight-knit group that you know we’re going to play for each other so uh it’s been fun and but you know in the end it’s one game we got to keep building and um you know keep trying to stack wins. Jeff Lashel said a few days ago he just felt you were close to to you know being a little bit more precise on those goals. It seemed like you were you kind of hitting the spots you wanted to. Uh yeah I think that’s kind of you know how it goes and sometimes you can you know like Anaheim I don’t know how many shots I had probably 10 or something and none goes in and today it’s you know almost everyone. So that’s that’s how hockey is you know sometimes it’s going in sometimes it’s not. So I think for me just kind of trying to you know stick with it, keep shooting and um you know not not get too high, not get too low and and that’s our whole group. So um you know it’s nice to see him going for sure, but um you’re going to have you know ups and downs after last game with difficulties with the power play, your goal being a power play. How important was that? I thought thought it was huge especially uh time of the game. you know, we talked about them coming off a backto-back last last game and um you know, if we get one of those power plays and maybe they they don’t quit, but they they feel a little more and I think that’s that was the importance of that three nothing goal and um just for our power play, get a little confidence to get one and um but yeah, that’s big. We’re going to have we’re going to need our power to to win games and obviously it’s nice to get one there. How different is it to be on the right side of the power play like that than you were on the left side earlier in the season? Um, yeah, I just think uh gives you a different kind of vision of the ice. You know, you’re going you’re going downhill at guys and um, you know, I think I like both sides, but in some ways I think there’s there’s benefits to it and um, you know, obviously worked tonight. We only got the one and you know, we hit one shot and it it was it was uh, it was in, so obviously it looks good, but um, you know, I’m excited to get some more powers and kind of, you know, work work on that side and see how it goes. How do you look at this long road trip? I’m excited. Um, you know, I think for for us it’s going to be fun. You know, I think just, you know, time to bond and, um, you know, I think when you’re game four, five, six of the road trip and you’re you’re kind of grinding and, you know, that’s when you really become become a good team and, uh, become closer and and you’re really playing for each other when maybe, you know, you’re a little tired and uh, you know, the guys with kids and stuff might want to go see them. I mean, that doesn’t matter for me, so I’m I’m chilling, but uh, you know, stuff like that. So, I think it it brings you together and um you know, we’re looking forward to it and it’s it’s big for us. It’s six games. That’s a lot of games. So, we obviously have to have a good trip. We were talking about to with Nick about how this was a game that you guys kind of lost last year when it got to 43. What just the difference this year? Do you guys not feel the go like we’re still going to win this game? Yeah, I think you know we you know we gave up three goals there quick in the second and we didn’t we didn’t have our best period obviously and I think just coming in the room and and you fully reset. I think you got to go in every every period like it’s 000 and um you know I really think we did a good job of not playing not to lose. We were playing to win and attack and try to score more goals and uh we were able to do that. So um you know it’s a really good experience for us you know myself all the young guys to um have something like that a little adversity and then be able to pull away. Any initial thoughts on playing uh Connor but Jonathan T that guy? Um yeah, I think I think for him it’s going to be a cool game. Obviously someone that means so much to the city, the fans, um you know, the organization, everyone kind of here. So, um for him to get to play us again and and for for all of us, you know, it’s a guy we grew up watching and um you know, kind of someone I think the whole world is rooting for hearing his story of, you know, the last couple years and coming back and uh playing for his hometown. So, uh it’s going to be fun fun to get to play against against a guy like that. And I know obviously he’s not at home, but I think a lot of a lot of Hawks fans will be kind of watching that and um it’ll be it’ll be cool for them. I’m curious, this is a little further down the line, but do you think of the Olympics right now? Do you think of the possibilities of being on that team or is that something you put in the future or I’m just curious how much that’s on your mind? Yeah, especially when you have a hattick. Yeah. No, I mean, like I said, I don’t think you can get get too high. Um, you know, of course, if if that’s something that I get to do, that would be unbelievable. And, you know, I would do anything to be on that team. But, um, you know, I think just trying to kind of take things day by day and um, you know, have fun playing in the NHL and and trying to grow as a team and and win hockey games and um, you know, do everything I can to to play my best hockey. And, you know, in the end, that’ll be what you know, puts me in a spot to make it. But, there’s I mean, it’s Canada. There’s so many amazing players. You never know. So, um, you know, I just got to kind of keep doing what I doing, keep doing what I’m doing, and now I’m focused on the Hawks, and, uh, that stuff kind of comes later down the line. Is this the most fun you’ve had your three years here? Um, getting there. Yeah. I mean, I don’t know. I mean, I think, you know, personally coming to the year, maybe, you know, a little better mindset and and just knowing um, you know, the league and stuff and, you know, maybe being a little more more relaxed and, um, you know, it’s easy to say that after a hat-tick and, uh, a win, but um, you know, I think just just our group is is super motivated and um, you know, loves each other and it’s it’s been a lot of fun so far. So, we just want to keep building that and and keep, you know, having a good product on the ice. thought he was looking for opportunities and everything and we’ve seen what he’s been able to do. But to get that breakthrough tonight, the bad hatrick. Yeah, I mean it’s just that, you know, more important than anything I think was just huge for our team. He kind of picked us up in moments, you know, especially that fourth goal kind of gave us some confidence and in this second period that kind of was a little ugly and then he gets that that next one to to get the hattick and just kind of puts the game away. So, um you know, he’s he is elite. He’s understanding and becoming that player and um but all the while also doing things on the other side of the puck, too. So, I was thrilled for him. I mean, everyone remembers, well, some guys are lucky enough to get their first hat-ticks or hat-ticks, but uh when you do, it’s uh it’s an awesome feeling and um yeah, so it kind of brought me back and uh I was pumped for him. I think, you know, he’s a guy that likes to score, not likes, loves to score goals. So, uh you could see it on his face how pumped he was. And I mean, we get that kind of Conor Bard every night. It’s going to be fun. He was trending in that direction lately. Big time. I mean, you could see it. That’s why, you know, the thing about Connor is I I didn’t even realize how underrated of a play. Like I’ve not talked about a playmaker he was to be honest with you. I thought he was just a pure goal scorer and when I got here I couldn’t believe the plays that he made. So, you know, he’s had to be kind of got that that guy for us a little bit and you know, hasn’t had the setups that probably he deserves, but you know, he’s getting a great pass from Berky today off the draw and then does his own thing. You know, that’s that’s who he is. So, when he plays that dynamic, I mean, he’s a threat every time he’s on the ice. you can just see his confidence growing more and more in the game and that’s exciting for us. How how important was the kill after you guys lose? Yeah, I mean I more importantly we just can’t put ourselves in that situation of of getting scored on three times and um so that’s something we’re going to have to continue to work on but I love that we caught ourselves and and found a way to win that game. I think I talked about it in the room like that’s a sign of a team that’s becoming a good team that’s starting to understand how to win but we don’t want to put ourselves in that position. So you know that kill is huge. I I give our killers credit and I mean we we probably could have scored on that two on 0 would have been nice but um you know that was uh that was a huge kill and a big momentum boost back our way. That’s a thing you guys kind of lost last year when you were what is the difference now? Well, I just think it’s a there’s a mindset in here of of wanting to be part of something special, you know, and I I really genuinely like believe that and feel that in the room. And I know it sounds a little cheesy, but it’s true. Like I think every guy here wants to be part of bringing this team back to where it was and what it can be. So I think every guy is excited about the opportunity now to to become that team. So this was a chance for us to do that. Right. It was a as opposed to, you know, last everyone’s trying to win the game, but when you really believe in in what the direction is and then the the fiber of your group and the culture starts to build, then that’s the the result you get. And I’m really thrilled that the guys stepped up to do that today. Every win’s important, but how important was it to get the win today before you guys are on the road for Yeah, it’s nice. Especially in front of our fans and I think it’s so important that we make this a hard place to play, especially we let one slip away against a team that was coming in off a back to back and then tonight that was an area that we wanted to emphasize of making sure that any team that’s at a disadvantage, so to speak, is is going to feel that. And, you know, much like we’ll we’ll probably have to be up against it some nights uh and going into other teams barns. So, uh to get a big win at home is huge. I think the guys really feel good going into Winnipeg that our game is, you know, growing and and we’re finding different ways to win. That second goal of the door is probably going to be on a highline rail. Oh, for a while. Yeah, that was beautiful. I mean, that’s just what you kind of saw and dreamed about as as a guy that, you know, that’s what he does. I mean, it’s just he can zip through in the middle and then all of a sudden it’s off his stick and it’s in the net and um, you know, the goalies don’t have a chance. So, um, you know, we want want to see more of that, but more more importantly than that, I just it’s fun to watch Connor grow as an all-around player and, uh, that excites me for this group. Last one. I’m excited to get her out out with the guys. I mean, I’ll, uh, I’m I’m pissed. I’m missing trick-or-treating with my kids. I’m not going to lie. I got to talk to the NHL about letting me just trick. It’s my birthday, too. So, it pisses me off every year that I miss trick-or-treating. Um, especially the ages my kids are at. But, uh, I’m excited to get get on the road with this group and and, you know, build that that team chemistry and camaraderie and, you know, and and it’s it’s a lot of fun for us, you know, and especially the group that we have where we’re we’re growing together. It’s uh, it’ll be fun to get out there and and, you know, some play some great teams and great great buildings and um, these are the these are the fun road trips for sure. What’s your favorite candid? Um, probably a Reese’s World Cup. Yeah, that’s my go-to. I usually raid my kids bags. It was uh also a nice team win just to read the overall with Connor. I mean, we’ve seen what he’s been able to do in the three years that he’s been here and everything, but just him taking it to another level tonight and getting that hatrick. He’s uh yeah, he’s fun to watch. He’s uh amazing human being also. So, we’re all proud of him and it’s it’s that’s it. It’s keeps developing and getting better. It’s it’s it’s great to see. said that he sort of won up your night after was few. It’s good. It’s um No, I mean it’s it was I went on the ice after uh after that trick and there was still like some hats going in. It was cool experience. You almost have to be careful and not just watching. Um, I mean during the game it’s it’s uh it’s a little bit different from from the stand like you keep trying to focus on your on your game and what what you can bring next shift but uh no I mean after his his third goal I mean all eyes were what does it mean when things started to get chippy in the second third period he needed a guy like Tyler Berusi jump into the mix there? Yeah, I mean that was huge for us. He he was uh coming back today and uh it was he did pretty good there too. So yeah, it was it was really good to to see him you know get his revenge a little bit and uh you know having a good game too. You guys that second period could have been very detrimental. Could have really hurt you guys. you come back and and everything and how much does that kind of show the growth of this team and being able to kind of weather the the issues and getting past? Yeah, it was, you know, it’s it’s a situation we’ve been part of a couple of times, but we came back and experienced like we we stayed calm and I think we had our best period in the third. So, it was uh No, I think we can be proud of of our game even though the second was wasn’t it. You mentioned before that the game can slow down when you’re shooting. Did that happen on either of those shots in the first period for you? Sorry. You mentioned before they can kind of go slow-mo for you in your head when you shoot. Did that happen on either the shots in the first period? Yeah. Well, I didn’t. Yeah. On the on the the goal, I didn’t I think I think it was just like Yeah. To be fair, I didn’t see it again. So, it was I was just I saw Bird going to his usual spot like back door. So, I was trying to chuck a puck there and sometimes good bounce and gets in. Can a home win like this help prepare you for a sixgame road trip? Yeah, it’s it’s, you know, after a a loss also getting back in the win column, it’s it’s good for us. It’s gaining confidence and it’s uh, you know, it’s a it’s a big road trip coming up, six games, so it’s uh, but it should be fun. Yeah, it’s it’s you know that’s that’s why we’re

Watch the full press conference after an unforgettable Chicago Blackhawks game where Connor Bedard dazzled with a hat trick, and Louis Crevier and Nick Foligno made huge contributions. Head coach Jeff Blashill breaks down the team’s performance, key moments, and what this win means for the season. Get insider insights on Bedard’s scoring spree, team chemistry, and the Blackhawks’ offensive firepower. Don’t miss the analysis that fans and analysts are talking about!

00:00 Jeff Blashill
10:10 Connor Bedard
16:26 Nick Foligno
20:49 Louis Crevier

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