Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Once upon a time there were opposing fans who thought Connor Bedard might not be the “the guy” people thought he’d be.

He continues to show he’s exactly as advertised.

Trailing 1-0, the Blackhawks rookie flipped the puck to the blade of his stick and tucked it behind Jordan Binnington, evening things up and dropping jaws across the hockey world.

Oh yes, Connor Bedard is absolutely the real deal, pulling off the “Michigan” against the unsuspecting St. Louis Blues.

Connor Bedard Nets 13th of the Season

13 clearly isn’t an unlucky number for Bedard, who scored arguably the most impressive goal so far of his young career. The fun part though was for anyone listening to the broadcast on WGN with John Wiedeman and Troy Murray.

The two talked about how when Murray played, the only player likely capable of the “Michigan” goal would have been Wayne Gretzky, who they agreed would have felt as if he were “disrespecting” the players and the game.

But, as they also pointed out, it was a different era where head hunters and enforcers policed showboating and oneupmanship. The game is younger now, trending with cellys and more of an acceptance of showing emotion.

Neither Wiedeman nor Murray were saying anything negative about it. Both were in awe–and they went down memory lane wondering of that era, which of the players could have pulled such a feat off.

Bedard again showed just how special of a player he is and exactly what the Blackhawks were hoping they were getting when they selected him first overall back in June.

This is likely the first of many in his career–with a variety of ways he can bury goals. But this will be on highlight reels for days, months, and likely years to come.

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