BLACKHAWKS BANTER 3

On Friday night the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Arizona Coyotes at home in a game honoring the United States Armed Forces. With Derek King in just his third game behind the bench, the previously winless team was able to pick up their third straight victory.  With the team slowly picking up momentum people are finding reason to return to the United Center, Friday’s meeting attracted 17,828 fans.   In the opening 20 minutes, both teams remained scoreless and couldn’t find the man advantage on power play opportunities.  After coming back from the locker room for period 2, the Chicagoans picked up the pace when Patrick Kane connected with Alex DeBrincat for a goal that would put the Blackhawks at a point lead.  As the United Center exploded in cheers, the frustrated Coyotes requested a challenge.  Following a five minute review of the play, referees confirmed that the”the goal on the ice stands”.  This cost Arizona a player, as they were penalized with a well deserved “delay of game”.  Another power play opportunity was given to Chicago, but they were unable to produce.  For the following 15 minutes, both teams battled in front of the net with no results.  The third period remained just as quiet as the entirety of the first, until nine minutes in when Dylan Strome found the back of the net on the power play.  This was a big moment for him, as it was the first goal of the season following a rough start.  With Jeremy Colliton as head coach, Strome was considered a healthy scratch in the first few games, and saw almost no ice time despite being a highly impactful player.  The change in staff has definitely played it’s advantage for him, as King is giving him a “new lease on life”.   Strome’s goal powered the Blackhawks to their third consecutive win, and earned him the first star of the game.  The Hawks will practice this weekend ahead of their four game trip up north, that will start on Wednesday in their first franchise meeting with the Seattle Kraken.