Anders Sorensen Loses 1st Game as Interim Blackhawks Coach
A Tough Debut for the New Coach
Anders Sorensen’s first game with the Chicago Blackhawks looked a lot like when Luke Richardson was coaching the team – not enough offense in another loss.
A Season Low in Shots on Goal
The Blackhawks finished with a season-low 14 shots on goal in their fifth consecutive loss, shut down by the Winnipeg Jets in the final two periods. The last-place Blackhawks had only six shots in the final 40 minutes.
A Defensive Struggle
The team employed a 2-1-2 defensive look, but often had a defenseman in the offensive mix when they carried the puck into the Winnipeg zone. However, misfires were common.
A Challenging Start for Sorensen
Sorensen faced an early challenge when goaltender Petr Mrazek departed in the first period with an apparent groin injury. “He’ll be out a little bit,” Sorensen said without offering a specific timetable.
A New Era Begins
The 49-year-old Sorensen, who was promoted from Rockford of the American Hockey League, had only one practice with the team before facing the Jets on Saturday. He is the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history.
A Message from the Captain
Captain Nick Foligno acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “We’ve had one practice. We obviously understand the urgency. It’s just not going to turn around in one day. He wants us to be a real tenacious go-ahead team. You could see that tonight when we were playing on our toes.”
Looking Ahead
The Blackhawks are next set to face the New York Rangers on Monday night, and Foligno believes the team needs to find its game and understand what it does well. “We’re trying to find our game and understand what we do a little bit better,” he said. “I think the first period we did a lot of good things. We had pace, played the way Anders wants us to play. It’s disappointing we didn’t get the job done.”
Conclusion
Anders Sorensen’s first game as interim coach of the Chicago Blackhawks ended in defeat, with the team struggling to find its offense and facing a tough road ahead. The team will look to regroup and find its game on the upcoming three-game trip.
FAQs
* What was Anders Sorensen’s record as interim coach of the Chicago Blackhawks?
+ 0-1
* How many shots on goal did the Blackhawks have in their game against the Winnipeg Jets?
+ 14
* Who did the Blackhawks employ as their goalie in the game?
+ Petr Mrazek
* What is the next game for the Blackhawks?
+ Monday night against the New York Rangers
