CHICAGO (AP) — In an entertaining Sunday matinee, the Chicago Blackhawks topped the Philadelphia Flyers 7-4 at the United Center, bringing an end to their seven-game losing streak. Ryan Donato was a standout performer, netting two power-play goals, while Connor Bedard celebrated his 20th goal of the season with a crucial equalizer.
The fast-paced game started with an explosion of scoring in the first period, where the teams combined for six goals. Philadelphia's Jamie Drysdale opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, but Chicago quickly responded. Patrick Maroon and Joe Veleno notched two goals within 47 seconds, putting the Blackhawks ahead 2-1. However, the lead was short-lived as Travis Sanheim tied the game for the Flyers, and Bobby Brink gave them a brief advantage at 3-2.
With momentum swinging back to Chicago, Bedard slotted in his goal with 1:48 left in the first, finishing a wrist shot just under the crossbar that levelled the game again at 3-3. This intense first period set the stage for the Blackhawks to assert their dominance in the following frames.
In the second period, Tyler Bertuzzi found the back of the net with his 19th goal of the season, regaining the lead for Chicago at 4-3. Ryan Donato followed up with two well-placed shots, showcasing his skills with both his 24th and 25th goals, both scored on redirects while the team had an extra man on the ice. Thus, Chicago built a commanding 6-3 lead.
The third period saw a goal from Lukas Reichel just over two minutes in, sealing the victory for the Blackhawks as they maintained their control, outscoring the Flyers 4-1 in the last 40 minutes of play.
Spencer Knight, Chicago's goaltender, performed well, making 24 saves on 28 shots, while Ivan Fedotov of the Flyers faced a challenging night, stopping only 22 shots out of 29 attempts. Fedotov was coming off a tough performance in his previous game, where he was pulled after allowing two goals on three shots.
The loss marks the Flyers' fifth consecutive defeat and continues their struggles, having gone 1-9-1 in their last 11 games. Philadelphia's defensive issues were evident again, allowing seven goals for the fourth time this season. In contrast, Chicago's win marked a significant turnaround after their challenging streak, which included a seven-game stretch where they scored no more than twice in any game.
The Blackhawks improved their overall record to 21-41-9, showcasing a glimmer of hope in a challenging season, while the Flyers fell to 27-35-9, worsening their playoff aspirations. Both teams will look to regroup quickly; the Flyers next face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, March 25, while the Blackhawks will host the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, March 26.
Reflecting on the match, it was not just a physical game but also a strategic one, showcasing both teams' offensive tactics and defensive weaknesses. The whirlwind of goals certainly entertained fans and offered a perfect reminder of how swiftly fortunes can change on the ice.
