As soon as he split the defense, it seemed inevitable. But when he drew the penalty and dropped to a knee, there was a pause. The November or December version of Lukas Reichel would have likely slid or possibly spun out on the play, giving up the puck but at least drawing the penalty.
But this wasn’t November or December Lukas Reichel. It’s the April version–and like the Blackhawks who have found ways to win games they would have lost in the Fall, this isn’t that Reichel.
He didn’t slide, split or spin. Instead, he kept going, fought off a couple more opponents and left the pass for a waiting Andreas Athanasiou, who buried his first goal of the season.
But if you watch Reichel closely as Athanasiou finishes the play, there was never any doubt. Reichel knew it was a goal and also knew he was the reason it happened.
Welcome to the reboot of Lukas Reichel.
The Reboot of Lukas Reichel Reveals The Player Everyone Expected
Fittingly, it was Wyatt Kaiser who started the play, another Blackhawks rookie who benefitted from a reboot in Rockford. But it was Reichel receiving the pass and bursting through Dallas defensemen as if he had afterburners strapped to his skates. Not even a blatant penalty could slow him, and all that ended the play was the puck in the back of the net.
But it was Athanasiou immediately pointing across the ice at his teammate, acknowledging the terrific effort involved. Seth Jones gave him a pat to the head, barking encouragement with it. Everyone saw it, including his teammates. It’s the Reichel everyone expected to see–and finally did.
“I thought that young guys, like, he [Reichel] really made that second goal happen,” head coach Luke Richardson said. “He broke through the middle there. And even though he drew a penalty getting pulled down, he didn’t quit on the play, he made the nice pass and stayed with it. And I think that made a big momentum difference in the game for us.”
And for Reichel, too. There’s always a concern that when a player is sent down, it could hinder more than help. Will it shatter confidence? Could it send the message that the organization is losing hope?
Give Reichel credit–not only did he produce two points shy of a point-per-game pace in Rockford, he returned to Chicago with some swagger.
It showed on Saturday–just ask the Stars. They’re still seeing them after Reichel helped deliver one of the punches that would eventually knock them out.
“That was sick,” teammate Connor Bedard noted postgame. “And that’s what he can do–he’s so skilled, so fast. He makes such good plays every game. If you’re watching him, iso-cam-ing him, there’s so many little plays that he’s making every night. It’s good to see him get rewarded. That was crazy for sure.”
Crazy good for Reichel, the Blackhawks, and the future of the team.
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