The Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect team opened the Matthew Wuest Memorial Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, last night with an exciting 5–4 overtime win against the host Detroit Red Wings’ rookie team.
After initially going down 1–0, the team of future Blackhawks stormed back in the first period to take a 4–1 lead. Detroit fought back in the second period and tied the game. Eventually, Blackhawks 2018 first round draft pick Adam Boqvist scored from a tight angle, just 43 seconds into the overtime period, to give the visitors the win.
Chicago looked a little rusty to begin the game and Ryan Kuffner took full advantage on the power play at the 3:10 mark of the first period, beating Chicago goaltender Alexis Gravel. That was when the Blackhawks came storming back with goals by Mikael Hakkarainen, 2019 first round draft pick Kirby Dach, MacKenzie Entwistle and Jack Ramsey.
Beautiful feed from Riley McKay to his Saskatoon teammate Kirby Dach to put the #Blackhawks up after allowing an early goal shorthanded.
Catch it live here ➡️ https://t.co/3XwSy9Jn5c pic.twitter.com/JOV50RFnio
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) September 6, 2019
Detroit took advantage of five Blackhawks penalties in the second period and scored power play goals by Jarid Lukosevicius and Joe Veleno. Velano also scored an unassisted goal after picking the pocket of Brandon Hagel in the Blackhawks’ zone.
Following a scoreless third period, the game went to overtime. Boqvist took advantage of goalie Kaden Fulcher, as he left just enough space to beat Fulcher under the crossbar and win the game. The goal was assisted by Dach and Hagel. Hagel was a huge bright spot for the Blackhawks, wearing the “A” on his sweater and assisting on two additional goals earlier in the game. After one game, the former Red Deer Rebel leads the tournament in points scored.
Gravel saved 27 of 31 shots for the win, also making two highlight reel saves in the third period to keep the game tied.
The Blackhawks will face the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday at 2 p.m. Central and the St. Louis Blues on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Central. The tournament wraps up Tuesday with the championship and other placement games.
Look back at last night’s 5-4 OT win for the #HawksProspects over Detroit and preview this afternoon’s meeting against Toronto pic.twitter.com/HTt04SzmK9
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) September 7, 2019