The NHL made history with the Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis broadcast. On Woman’s Appreciation Day, NBC Sports network had the NHL’s first all-female commentated and produced broadcast.
On the ice, this Sunday evening game featured a desperate Blackhawks team and a Central Division leading St. Louis Blues.
First Period:
In a lackluster first period, both teams put up seven shots apiece. There was one grade-A chance for either team and no goals scored. The lone standout for the Blackhawks was wing Drake Caggulia. Caggulia had three hits and one shot on net in one spirted shift. Craggulia hit the post on his chance which was the best chance for the Blackhawks in the period.
Second Period:
The second period started with a Blackhawks power play, early on. In typical Blackhawks fashion, their powerplay failed to generate offensive chances and yielded momentum to the Blues. At one point there was an audible “Let’s go Blues Chant” during the Blackhawks powerplay.
At 13:20 into the second period, the Blues scored the game’s first goal. Following a Blues rush, the Blackhawks yielded a second chance opportunity. Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo blasted a tough angle shot past Corey Crawford for the goal.
This period was defined by the Blackhawks’ inability to capitalize on power-play chances, which has not been unusual for the home team. They have only converted on 12.6 percent of their chances since Dec. 14. The most notable moment of the game came in the second period when Oskar Sundqvist delivered a flying elbow to defenseman Adam Boqvist.
No one throws Boqvist a flying elbow and gets away with it 😤 pic.twitter.com/qaUpln4gA0
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) March 9, 2020
The hit on Boqvist caused a bit of a line brawl, as the Blackhawks took exception to the seemingly illegal hit. The brawl was highlighted by Drake Cagguila and Vince Dunn dropping the gloves. Boqvist did not return after the hit and the team reported that he had entered concussion protocol. Cagguila also suffered a hand injury during this scrap with Dunn.
Both Boqvist and Cagguila did not return. The second period ended with the Blackhawks trailing 1–0.
Third Period:
In the third period, the Blackhawks sorely missed Boqvist and Cagguila. Without two key young players, the Blackhawks offense came to a screeching halt, failing record a shot on goal for the first 12 minutes of the period. The Blues, with a one-goal lead, put the game out of a reach with an insurance goal. Alex Pietrangelo doubled up the Blackhawks with a goal at 5:37 into the third period.
A beautiful give-and-go between Schwartz and Pietrangelo leads to an open net for #27. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/p7C5kVAa19
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 9, 2020
Despite a lackluster attempt to come back, the game finished with the Blues defeating the Blackhawks 2–0. After dropping two consecutive games, the Blackhawks already low playoff chances have dwindled away.
Along the Boards:
- The Blackhawks were swept by the Blues for the first time in franchise history.
- Blues goalie Jake Allen recorded his second shutout of the season.
- Corey Crawford has started his eighth consecutive since Robin Lehner was traded to the Golden Knights.