In his first NHL game since February , Colin Blackwell brought energy and feistiness to an injury-riddled Chicago Blackhawks team that has been mostly lifeless lately. His efforts helped spark a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, snapping Chicago's four-game losing streak.
While the veteran forward didn't have a goal or assist, he logged three shots on goal and a team-high six hits against a formidable opponent. Blackwell's highlight-reel moment came in the final minutes of the third period when he delivered a massive hit on star forward Nathan MacKinnon, disrupting Colorado's bid to tie the game.
Blackwell took a face-washing after the ensuing whistle, but it helped ice the game as Avalanche forward Ryan Johansen received roughing and misconduct penalties for retaliating, sending the Blackhawks to a late power play.
"He had them ruffled up all throughout the game. He's a little spitfire," Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson said of Blackwell's efforts. "That hit on MacKinnon was big...He looked around to see where Blackwell was after that. I think he was pissed."
Blackwell certainly would have liked to provide such an impact for the Blackhawks earlier in the season, but his recovery from sports hernia surgery took longer than initially expected. Regardless, he was happy to be back in the swing of things, even if it required a little more maintenance than usual.
"We've seen better days. But the staff here did a great job between the periods, making sure I was all set," Blackwell said after his season debut. "Obviously a little anxious, nerve-wracking going into the game, and as the game went on, I was fine."
It was a fine effort indeed, and a much-needed one for a Blackhawks' squad with a current injury report that reads like a novel. While Joey Anderson and Andreas Athanasiou remain sidelined, Blackwell should have plenty of further opportunities to make his presence known among the Blackhawks forward group.
His next chance to do so will come on Friday when the Blackhawks host the Montreal Canadiens. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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