For the third time in 12 days, the Chicago Blackhawks (25-29-11) got the better of the Utah Mammoth (34-26-6), winning 3-2 in overtime at the Delta Center on Thursday. Connor Bedard scored the overtime winner for his second point of the night, lifting the Blackhawks to a season sweep of the Mammoth in four meetings.
Much like he did on Monday, Bedard played with an extra edge in the season finale against Utah. He didn’t match his career-high of five hits thrown like last time, but he sure played with a different level of intensity.
After setting up Tyler Bertuzzi for a game-tying goal early in the third period, Bedard was caught staring down a Mammoth fan in attendance, likely after he fired some chirps towards the Blackhawks superstar from the stands. Bedard shot a glare into the seats before celebrating with his teammates.
Then, after cleaning up a rebound for the game-winning goal, Bedard once again let the Utah faithful know about it. He immediately skated over to the glass and exchanged words with some folks in the front row, letting them know that he’s coming out of the building with the win.
There’s been a noticeable feistiness from Bedard all season, but this was different than anything he’s shown through his first 51 appearances. For whatever reason, the game seemed personal to him on Thursday, and he took matters into his own hands to help his team pull out the victory.
Joining Bedard with multi-point efforts were Bertuzzi and Frank Nazar, both of whom were instrumental in the Blackhawks erasing a one-goal deficit to defeat the Mammoth for the second time this week. Nazar, the overtime hero in Monday’s 3-2 win at the United Center, scored for the second straight game and extended his point streak to a career-best five games. Bertuzzi tied the game on the power-play early in the third period and added an assist on Nazar’s tally.
It’s worth noting that none of the late-game heroics would have been possible without a dazzling return from Spencer Knight, who made his first start after missing the last three games with an illness. Knight was sensational from start to finish, but particularly in the third period and overtime, where he stopped 17 of the final 18 shots he faced. Shortly before Bedard’s game-winning goal, Knight made a crucial stop on a point-blank chance for the Mammoth. Without that save — or his stellar play late in regulation — the Blackhawks don’t come away with two points.
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ second straight 3-2 overtime win over the Mammoth, moving their record to 25-29-11 through 65 games this season.
FIRST PERIOD
One of the few chances created by either side in the opening 20 minutes, Bedard nearly kicked off the scoring for the Blackhawks just past the 11-minute mark. Andre Burakovsky made a perfect pass on a brief 2-on-1, finding a streaking Bedard as he drove the net. Bedard deflected the puck towards the top-left corner, but Karel Vejmelka stuck out his glove and made the save to keep the game scoreless.
Both teams were credited with only three high-danger chances in the period, but none found the back of the net. The score remained deadlocked at 0-0 entering the first intermission. Utah led 6-4 in shots on goal.
SECOND PERIOD
After 25 minutes of scoreless action, Utah broke through to grab a 1-0 lead with a goal from Dylan Guenther at 5:47. The goal was a direct result of a poor giveaway by Burakovsky in the offensive zone, springing Guenther and Logan Cooley for an odd-man break. Cooley slid the puck across under Sam Rinzel’s stick and over to Guenther for his 31st goal of the season. Burakovsky’s careless play
With these two teams having met three times in less than two weeks, it wasn’t surprising to see some tension on the ice at times. Bedard and Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar have been involved in a few sequences during the recent meetings, and they had another late in the second period. Bedard caught Weegar with a big jolt into the boards as they both skated into the corner for a loose puck.
The Mammoth remained ahead 1-0 through 40 minutes, and the Blackhawks were fortunate that was the case. The home squad led 19-12 in scoring chances and 10-4 in high-danger chances after two periods. Knight made a few timely saves to keep the game close.
THIRD PERIOD
After no penalties were called through 51 minutes, the Blackhawks finally received the game’s first power play early in the third period. In the final seconds of their man advantage, Bedard found Bertuzzi in the crease for a redirect at 2:18 to tie the game 1-1. Bertuzzi’s 28th goal of the season gave the Blackhawks a power-play tally in all four meetings against Utah this season.
Frank Nazar➡️Connor Bedard➡️Tyler Bertuzzi🚨
Bedard finds Bertuzzi in the crease for his 28th goal of the season to tie the game 1-1! #Blackhawks score a PPG in all 4 games against Utah this season.pic.twitter.com/nlpMLCu0Zm
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 13, 2026
Nazar extended his point streak to five games, a new career-best, with the secondary assist on Bertuzzi’s goal. He wasn’t done finding the stat sheet in the period, however, as he proceeded to give the Blackhawks their first lead of the night at 9:17. After Bertuzzi fired the puck on target, Teuvo Teravainen made a kick-pass to Nazar at the far post, and he whacked home his 10th goal of the season for his second point of the game. 2-1, Chicago.
Tyler Bertuzzi➡️Teuvo Teravainen➡️Frank Nazar🚨
Bertuzzi shots for a rebound, and then Teravainen makes an unreal kick pass over to Nazar for his 10th goal of the season! 2nd point of the period for Nazar. #Blackhawks lead 2-1.pic.twitter.com/ydTpXHuLpF
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 13, 2026
The Blackhawks were unable to hold onto their lead for long, as JJ Peterka tied the score again with just over six minutes remaining in regulation. Alex Vlasic coughed the puck up at his own blue line after being pressured by Michael Carcone, and then Peterka snuck a shot through Knight at 13:45. 2-2.
OVERTIME
For the fourth time in the Blackhawks’ last five games, overtime was required to determine a winner.
After Knight made a stellar stop on one end, the Blackhawks countered in the other direction with numbers on their side. Nick Lardis found Vlasic in the slot for a dangerous look, and while Vejmelka made the initial save, Bedard was in the perfect position to put home the rebound at 3:57. His 27th goal of the season gives the Blackhawks the 3-2 overtime win.
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