The power play has been a headache for the Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard lately, and the 18-year-old made his frustration clear on Thursday night.
After his team missed another chance on the power play, the center let off steam by breaking his stick in the game against the Detroit Red Wings. When his tools were no longer useful, he returned to the workbench with a face that did not betray his anger.
The Hawks escaped this encounter with a score of 5-1 at Little Caesars Arena. Bedard had an assist on Chicago’s only goal – scored by Lukas Reichel on a famous power play – and his frustration faded relatively quickly.
“I don’t really understand it [sa frustration] continue. He looks good in his next appearance, said head coach Luke Richardson at a press conference. Some guys get frustrated and their frustration causes them to give up on the next play. I don’t see that with him. When he gets to the bank he is a little angry, but quickly pulls himself together. I don’t mind a bit of passion as long as it doesn’t affect the team.”
The Blackhawks’ power play is the 30th best in the National League heading into Friday night’s games. They only scored 7 goals in 68 chances, while allowing 4 goals with an extra man. Only one of their last 20 power plays has resulted in a goal.
“We can’t play like that,” Tyler Johnson bitterly admitted to the media. It’s a privilege to be there [sur le jeu de puissance], and we’re doing absolutely nothing right now. It’s quite humbling and changes the course of the game. You see Detroit’s power play, they score goals. That’s a big difference.”
Bedard deserved it the most
After scoring 12 points in as many games in November, Bedard was named the National League’s top rookie of the month. He succeeded Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, whose work was recognized in October.
The first pick of the most recent draft had the most productive game of his young career on November 9th when he scored four points against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The British Columbia native has 18 points, including 10 goals, in 21 games this season.
Additionally, Quebec native Anthony Beauvillier trained alongside Bedard and Philipp Kurashev in his first practice with the Blackhawks on Friday. The left winger was acquired from Chicago by the Vancouver Canucks a few days ago.