Oliver Moore tallied the OT winner as the Blackhawks defeated the Blues in Game 1 of the Showcase

The Blackhawks have officially started playing hockey again, and it started with a bang as St Louis and Chicago’s prospects brought the bad blood, even in a meaningless prospect game

Period One

St Louis got the jump on the Blackhawks quickly in the first period, as 90 seconds in, Otto Senberg ripped a snap shot far side right in front to make it 1-0. Chicago kept pressing, including a couple of great chances by Nick Lardis in the first (link). After Aidan Thompson went to the sin bin, Dalibor Dvorsky nearly buried one but couldn’t beat Stanislav Berezhnoy to double the advantage. Later on the PK AJ Spellacy had a great chance but an excellent pad save by Will Cranley. 

Period Two

Starting the period on the Power Play, the Blackhawks couldn’t capitalize. However, that would quickly change as former Hobey Baker Finalist Sam Rinzel made an excellent cross-ice pass in the offensive zone to find his linemate Tage Harding to tie it. Soon after, Ryan Mast threw a flukily shot from the far side end boards that snuck its way through Matthew Koprowski, who replaced Cranley after he shut out the Hawks in his 30 minutes of play.  

Period Three

Period three was a shift in the tone of the game. The feeling-out process was gone, and it was back and forth physical play. After Spellacy was called for roughing,  St Louis held all the moment, and even after Stan the Man did his best Belfour impression, making two HUGE back-to-back saves on Stenberg once again, Anthony Kelleher broke through to even the score, giving us some free hockey to start the year 

Overtime

Off the puck drop, the puck went to Rinzel, then to Moore, then to nylon. Blackhawks win 3-2

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The Cowboy Round-Up

Blackhawks go through the Fist Bump line after tying game vs St. Louis in Tom Kurvers Showcase. Photo Credit NHL Chicago BlackhawksBlackhawks go through the Fist Bump line after tying game vs St. Louis in Tom Kurvers Showcase. Photo Credit NHL Chicago Blackhawks

Three Stars of the Game

Stanyslav Berezhnoy, Goalie, 31 Saves .940SV%, W

Sam Rinzel, Defenseman, 2 Assists, W

Otto Stenberg, Forward, 1G, L

Other Performers

In terms of hockey, anything would have been nice to see, but this game was very entertaining. Off the box score, players like Lardis, Cumby, and Spellacy stood out. As usual, Levshunov showed flashes of his potential, but the inconsistency in his game remains something to improve upon. Chicago will face Minnesota in the second and final game of the showcase at 3 p.m. CT on Sunday.

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