The Blackhawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead early. But in what has all too often been a consistent scene, the lead would evaporate and look destined for another loss.
But they flipped the script, tying the game at four in regulation and taking it to overtime in a tenacious effort that went against the grain of collapses that have been too common at times this season. Though they’d fall short in a 5-4 overtime loss, the Blackhawks fought back to bank a point in what once again looked like another predictable loss.
After Tyler Johnson and Cole Guttman propelled the Blackhawks to a 2-0 advantage early, the Stars chipped away and had a 3-2 lead heading into the third. After Dallas scored to make it 4-2, it looked bleak.
But the Blackhawks fought back, with Jason Dickinson burying his 12th of the season, and then Johnson getting his second of the game, giving him nine on the season and another sign that the power play is starting to click.
Chicago forced overtime but needed just seven more seconds to get to the shootout. Unfortunately for them, a tic-tac-goal that gave Roope Hintz his third of the game ended those hopes, and left the Hawks with a point, but a 5-4 loss.
Blackhawks Lose But Take Another Step Forward
There have been games this season where they’ve won, and it’s been an important note for rising out of a rebuild. This one didn’t have the desired result but it showed that the resolve is taking hold. The line from Aerosmith’s classic “Dream On” talks about how you’ve gotta lose to learn how to win.
So close tonight. The Hawks likely fold up any other time but they fought back–on the road–and did it in exciting fashion.
That is a testament to what head coach Luke Richardson, veterans like Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, and Tyler Johnson have all spoken to at some point. A full game of effort is the expectation, with structure and discipline being cited often.
No, they didn’t get the result they were looking for. But one can see things building–and that will go a long way as the Blackhawks continue to climb their way out of the rebuild.
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