With a 5-2 win at USG Arena on Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks successfully split the 2026 Prospect Showcase against the St. Louis Blues. The Blackhawks showed some resiliency after a sloppy 3-1 loss on Monday night, rebounding with a resounding victory in the second and final game of the event.
For the second straight game, forward AJ Spellacy was the most noticeable Blackhawks skater on the ice. After failing to find the stat sheet on Monday, Spellacy scored twice in the second game and dished out a slew of sizeable hits. He used his dazzling speed to cause havoc everywhere he went, leaving Blues defenders bruised and battered after getting bumped into the boards endlessly.
“He’s a consistent worker,” head coach Jared Nightingale said about Spellacy. “You know when you’re playing against him as an opponent. That’s a valuable player to have. A forechecker like that [who] can finish and his speed. He’s a valuable player and I’m not surprised that he had those two type of games. He’s a bright spot for the Blackhawks.”
Martin Misiak was another standout for the second game in a row, tallying his second and third goals of the showcase and adding a secondary assist. The 2023 second-round pick’s offensive contributions during the two games was a pleasant surprise, leading the Blackhawks with four points. Misiak was also involved physically again in game two and used an active stick to help kill off penalties.
“It’s not a shock to us,” Nightingale said regarding Misiak’s productive showcase. “He’s a steady improvement… I thought he did a really good job and is collecting the fruits of his labor. It’s good seeing kids get rewarded like that.”
The third mult-point performer of the game was 2024 first-round pick (No. 27 overall) Marek Vanacker, who didn’t make much of an impact in Monday’s opener. Vanacker was much more involved in the second game and made a few heads-up passes, including one that led to Misiak’s second tally of the showcase. He also registered the primary assist on Spellacy’s opening goal in the first period.
“He’s a guy that’s willing to go to the dirty areas, collect garbage, and he can make plays,” Nightingale said after the game. “He made a heck of a play on that rush with Misiak. You don’t put up points [like he did] in junior without talent.”
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ 5-2 win over the Blues on Tuesday:
FIRST PERIOD
Spellacy pounced on Vanacker’s rebound for his first goal of the showcase at 12:23, putting the Blackhawks ahead 1-0 early for the second straight game. It was the first point of the showcase for both Spellacy and Vanacker.
SECOND PERIOD
Parker Holmes put the Blackhawks back ahead 2-1 at 3:59 in the second period, scooping up a loose puck in the offensive zone and wiring a wrist shot into the top-left corner.
Misiak extended the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1 at 11:56 in the second period with his second goal of the showcase. Vanacker calmly skated the puck to the slot and found Misiak alone in front for a deflection. It was Vanacker’s second assist of the game.
Misiak with a beautiful deflection goal off a feed from Vanacker to extend the #Blackhawks lead to 3-1 in the 2nd period.
Second assist of the game for Vanacker.
Second goal of the showcase for Misiak. pic.twitter.com/YoNPUorhVL
— Jack Bushman (@JackBushman2) September 15, 2026
Before the second intermission, Spellacy found the back of the net for a second time, blasting a one-timer from the slot at 17:59. Misiak recorded the secondary assist for his second point of the period.
THIRD PERIOD
Jakub Stancl cut into the Blackhawks’ deficit and made things somewhat interesting with four minutes left in the third period, making it a 4-2 game. The Blues pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker a few moments later, only for Misiak to hit the empty net and seal their fate.
It was Misiak’s second goal and third point of the game, putting a stamp on a remarkable showcase.
The final horn sounded at USG Arena, with the Blackhawks and Blues officially splitting the two-game prospect tournament. With the 2026 Prospect Showcase now in the books, the focus immediately shifts to the start of Blackhawks training camp on Thursday. There will only be two days of preparation ahead of the first preseason game on Saturday night in Minnesota, so things will continue to move quickly.
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