Cowboy’s Round-Up: Story from Chicago’s Win Over Utah 3-2

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Utah Mammoth 3-2 in the United Center. Tonight was the first home game since the passing of Troy Murray for Chicago.

After dropping Sunday’s game to Dallas in a crushing 4-3 overtime, the Chicago Blackhawks found a way to rebound and get the full two points against the Utah Mammoth.

Franklin’s Redemption:

Tonight was a rough night for Blackhawks fans. The team honored fan favorite player and broadcaster  Troy Murray before and during the game. The famed number 19 for Chicago passed away Saturday morning. So just how fitting was it that Frank Nazar, number 91, would be the one to score the game-winner for Chicago?

After botching a breakaway earlier in overtime, losing the puck at the top of the dots. Frank Nazar had a chance to redeem himself for the Chicago crowd. On the penalty drawn by Andre Burakovsky, Teuvo went too Nazar across the point. Finally, Chicago’s 91 found the back of the net in a night that honored the city’s number 19. 

60 days. It had been 60 days without a goal for Chicago Blackhawks forward Andre Burakovsky. Many fans had been calling for Andre to be moved off of Connor Bedard’s line, or even to be a healthy scratch. Burakovsky even admitted earlier this month, “I’ve experienced this before in my career, where maybe you start doubting yourself a little bit, and confidence is going down, and it becomes harder to play.”

Story continues below.

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The story looked to be the same. Frank Nazar opened the net for Andre Burakovsky, faking out Vitek Vanacek and giving Andre a full 6×4 net to work with. Burakovsky put his shot past Vanacek, right onto the post. 

But in game 19, without a goal, “Bura” finally broke through. Connor Bedard’s errant shot bounced behind the net, and Andre Burakovsky hit a Michigan-esque goal to tie the game for the Blackhawks. 

With Spencer Knight being out for the third straight game, Chicago looked to one of its budding youngsters to bail them out. Prior to the game against the Dallas Stars, Drew Commesso and Nick Lardis were both given a call-up to give support to the club. Tonight, Commesso was given the nod in net and he did not disappoint. The Blackhawks’ win was supported by a huge .920SV% performance from Drew Commesso. At his start tonight, Jeff Blashill remarked

“When we needed a big save, Drew gave us a big save.” 

Indeed, he did keep the Blackhawks well in the game, especially at the start of the tilt.