Introduction to the Game
The NHL has a unique dynamic between players and referees, with a lot of back-and-forth communication that can sometimes include profanity and angry comments. This is generally accepted as part of the game.
The Incident
Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks were left baffled when referee Chris Rooney gave Bedard a 10-minute "abuse of officials" misconduct penalty at a critical moment in the Hawks’ 4-2 loss Thursday against the Sharks. Bedard was upset about no penalty being called when he was clearly tripped by Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro while trying to cut toward the net in a 3-2 game.
Reaction from the Team
"I’ve heard worse," said interim coach Anders Sorensen. Bedard himself seemed surprised by the call, stating, "I guess he just didn’t like what I said. That’s how it goes." He acknowledged that he was upset but didn’t think his comments were out of line. "I didn’t think [what I said] was too crazy," said Bedard. "But obviously, he’s the ref, so he gets to make that call. So you’ve got to live with it."
Impact of the Penalty
The Hawks were left trying to find an equalizer without their leading scorer available, and Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev stopped Ryan Donato a few times before a Tyler Toffoli empty-net goal with 33 seconds left sealed the result. Bedard wasn’t released from the box until the stoppage following that goal.
Game Performance
The first 50 minutes of the game — and especially the first 20 — weren’t great for the Hawks, either. Frank Nazar, who scored his sixth goal of the season, was really the only player making things happen. Rookie defenseman Artyom Levshunov hit the post in the second period but looked more passive overall than in his debut Monday. Sorensen said Levshunov will encounter a “learning curve” to find consistency in the NHL.
Standings and Player Updates
The gap between the Hawks and Sharks, the bottom two teams in the league, narrowed to four points with the Sharks’ victory. Hawks forward Jason Dickinson returned to the mix after missing almost exactly a month with a high-ankle sprain. Interim coach Anders Sorensen tried slotting Dickinson as the first-line right wing next to Bedard but abandoned that idea mid-game Thursday when it became clear it wasn’t clicking.
Dickinson’s Injury and Recovery
Dickinson had a strong suspicion it was a high-ankle sprain when he suffered the injury Feb. 5 against the Oilers. The team’s doctor confirmed the injury and provided an expected timeline for recovery, which proved to be accurate. Dickinson missed 11 games before returning Monday against the Avalanche. He noted that while high-ankle sprains can linger, he was fortunate it wasn’t a more serious injury requiring a longer recovery time.
Conclusion
The Blackhawks’ loss to the Sharks, influenced by the controversial misconduct penalty against Connor Bedard, highlights the challenges the team faces in their current standings. The return of Jason Dickinson and the development of rookie players like Artyom Levshunov are crucial for the team’s future performances.
FAQs
- Q: What was Connor Bedard given a penalty for?
- A: Bedard was given a 10-minute "abuse of officials" misconduct penalty.
- Q: Why was Bedard upset?
- A: Bedard was upset because no penalty was called when he was clearly tripped by Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro.
- Q: How long was Jason Dickinson out with his injury?
- A: Dickinson missed almost exactly a month, or 11 games, with a high-ankle sprain.
- Q: What is the current standings gap between the Hawks and Sharks?
- A: The gap narrowed to four points with the Sharks’ victory.
