10 observations: Blackhawks fall to Blues in OT in Sport 1 of prospect showcase

10 observations: Blackhawks fall to Blues in OT in Game 1 of prospect showcase initially appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Blackhawks fell to St. Louis Blues 4-3 in extra time at Centene Neighborhood Ice Middle in St. Louis Blues on Friday in Sport 1 of the 2024 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase.

Listed below are 10 observations from the win:

1. An actual bummer that Chicago No. 2 general decide in 2024 Artyom Levshunov couldn’t play within the showcase due to a proper foot harm he suffered throughout a current skate. Based on Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, he’s anticipated to be in a strolling boot for 2 weeks and will miss as much as six weeks. I think about that is extra of a cautious timeline, nevertheless it means he will not be wholesome for the beginning of coaching camp on Sept. 18.

2. Rockford IceHogs head coach Anders Sorensen was speculated to be behind the bench for the showcase however needed to head residence to are inclined to a household matter. Rockford assistant coach — and former Blackhawk/IceHogs winger — Rob Klinkhammer stepped in as the top coach and was excited in regards to the alternative, though he wished it was beneath completely different circumstances.

“It is actually cool,” Klinkhammer stated. “You get to work with these prospects. Clearly labored with fairly a number of of them final 12 months in Rockford and a few of these guys we had all 12 months and a few of these guys got here on the finish of the 12 months. It is enjoyable to trace their development and see what beneficial properties they revamped the summer time, the stuff they labored on, and now they get to place it into motion in video games so we simply type of sit again, let the horses run, and benefit from the present.”

3. Frank Nazar skated on a line with Colton Dach and Landon Slaggert. I did not discover Nazar an excessive amount of, however he did join with Nick Lardis on the facility play for the opening objective 70 seconds into the competition. I believed Lardis had some bounce in his sport.

4. Drew Commesso performed within the showcase final 12 months in Minnesota and pitched a shutout in his unofficial Blackhawks debut. This time round, he gave up 4 targets on 34 pictures for a save proportion of .882. He seemed superb. Two of the targets in opposition to he was screened, one among which by his personal participant. I am certain he’d just like the extra time objective again.

5. AJ Spellacy — a third-round decide by Chicago in June — was the most effective gamers on the ice. He can skate just like the wind, and it confirmed on his objective after blowing previous everybody by the impartial zone. He is listed at 6-foot-2, 195 kilos, however he seems larger than that. Interesting bundle.

“I believed Spellacy was flying round,” Klinkhammer stated. “He needs to go. He can transfer. That child can fly. His velocity clearly on the objective, actually good job type of getting that puck out, defending it after which discovering a taking pictures lane with an elite end. Once more on the forecheck a pair instances utilizing his velocity to get in there, and that is a device he’ll need to depend on.”

6. The Blackhawks’ defensemen seemed a bit out of types. Exhausting to place an excessive amount of inventory into it although as a result of it was the primary sport in months for lots of them.

7. I preserve listening to from members of the group how impressed they have been with Paul Ludwinski’s development over the past couple seasons. He was significantly efficient on the penalty kill on this sport. He recorded a major help on Slaggert’s objective, and had a breakaway try afterward as nicely.His legs had been transferring early, exhibiting his sturdy work ethic.

“I used to be undoubtedly proud of how I performed,” Ludwinski stated. “It was begin. I am going to watch some video on what to construct on, however on the identical time, there are some things to work on. It is a good factor trigger it is nonetheless actually early and I’ve acquired lots to be taught on the professional stage. I am undoubtedly proud of my efficiency however it could’ve been higher if the boys got here out with a win.”

8. Nolan Allan served because the captain whereas Ethan Del Mastro and Slaggert every wore an “A” on their sweater. Del Mastro seemed a bit rusty, significantly on a late breakaway the place he couldn’t get a shot off, whereas Allan quarterbacked the second power-play unit, a possibility to develop his sport.

9. Nice to see Sam Savoie again on the ice and feeling like himself once more. He suffered a gruesome-looking femur fracture final preseason and thought he can be out all season however returned and was greater than a point-per-game participant within the QMJHL. His thoughts was racing on the evening he took that hit.

“Throughout that point, it is just about every little thing goes round in your head, proper?” Savoie stated. “You are overthinking. For me, it was identical to, ‘Oh I hope I am not significantly injured and I can play quickly,’ however on the finish of the day, I knew I could not management that and simply to go to the hospital, I knew that my femur was damaged. It was robust.”

Savoie left the sport on Friday proper earlier than extra time with an upper-body harm, however he is superb and is predicted to play on Saturday. Apparently he was on the brink of return however the Blues scored to finish the sport earlier than he may make it again.

10. Different harm information: Marcel Marcel acquired banged up at apply on Thursday and has been dominated out for the weekend. Ryan Gagnier, who wasn’t on the unique roster, took his spot within the lineup. Alex Pharand was additionally slated to play however he suffered an harm in an OHL preseason sport and didn’t take part.