The Chicago Blackhawks started the 2017-2018 season with an impressive victory. The Blackhawks defeated, the 2017 Stanley Cup Champions, Pittsburgh Penguins 10-1 on Thursday at United Center. Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad scored three of their 10 goals. Saad scored his third goal when a pass from Jonathan Toews deflected off him into the net in the third period making it 9-1. Saad said, “It’s exciting, for sure, to get a hat trick and then to be in this building. It’s an incredible building to play in, and to have that support and get a hat trick on the first night, it definitely feels good.” Saad was reacquired by the Blackhawks on June 23 in a trade sending forward Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The game took a turn when the Blackhawks scored four goals in the first period. Hartman scored first making it 1-0. Saad scored next making it 2-0. Schmaltz scored next and Saad scored again giving the Hawks a 4-0 lead. Sharp gets pass Murray to make it 5-0. Around 2:00 in the second quarter Phil Kessel scored to put the Penguins on the board making it 5-1. However, the Blackhawks continued their offensive assault. Later the the second period, Kane, Panik, and Schmaltz all scored making it 8-1. Early in the third quarter, Saad scored completing his hat trick and Seabrook scored the final goal to make it 10-1.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said, ”It’s embarrassing; It was 4-0 10 minutes into the game. I don’t know what to say, to be honest with you. We made mistakes and they buried them. Sometimes you make those mistakes and you get away with them. They capitalized on every one.”
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane said, ”It was almost like it wasn’t a real game or something. I mean, it was just amazing. It was a fun start to be part of. It’s not like we were trying to run up the score or rub it in anyone’s face. We were just out there playing hockey, and guys were excited to play again.” If this game is an indication of how the Blackhawks season will be, it will be an exciting one.
