Blackhawks edge Jets in overtime as Bedard scores first goal of season

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Artyom Levshunov scored at 1:37 of overtime to lift the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on Thursday. The victory featured a season-opening milestone for Connor Bedard, who found the back of the net for Chicago for the first time this year after missing the opening stretch due to offseason shoulder surgery.

Bedard opened the scoring for the Blackhawks with a power-play goal at 8:11 of the first period. Chicago’s goal came when Patrick Kane made a pass from the goal line to the right of the net, setting up Bedard in the slot for a wrist shot that beat Winnipeg goaltender Stuart Skinner. It marked Bedard’s first goal of the season, and he had missed the team’s first six games following the shoulder surgery.

Patrick Kane contributed two assists in the game, and his point total also carried historical significance. The assist he earned pushed Kane to 895 for his career, surpassing Phil Housley for the all-time lead among American-born players. Kane’s play helped Chicago build an early cushion as the game progressed from Bedard’s opener into additional goals for the Blackhawks.

Frank Nazar doubled Chicago’s lead at 15:10 of the first period, scoring an unassisted goal to make it 2-0. Nazar collected a long rebound near the defensive blue line, broke in on Skinner, and fired a wrist shot past the goalie’s stick. The goal also marked Nazar’s first game back after serving a two-game suspension for an illegal hit on the New York Islanders’ Bo Horvat on Oct. 8.

Spencer Knight recorded 31 saves for Chicago, while Skinner made 24 saves for Winnipeg. Neal Pionk paced the Jets offensively with a goal and two assists, scoring the third Jets tally in the game’s progression as Winnipeg battled back from an early two-goal deficit.

Pionk pulled the Jets within one at 16:57 of the first period by scoring from the right point on a slap shot. Later, Ryan Donato restored Chicago’s two-goal advantage at 17:11 of the first, driving into the offensive zone, moving in from the right boards into the left circle, and scoring short side against Skinner.

Kyle Connor narrowed the gap again with a power-play goal for Winnipeg at 4:44 of the second period. Connor converted after receiving a pass in the right circle from Mark Scheifele, then sent the puck through Knight to make it 3-2.

The teams entered the third period tied 3-3 after Alex Iafallo evened the score at 5:39 with a goal that came off a deflection. Iafallo scored after Pionk’s shot from the right point redirected into the net off Iafallo’s right leg. With the score level entering late regulation, the game ultimately required overtime.

In overtime, Levshunov finished the contest at 1:37. The defenseman scored after taking a feed from Bedard, moving into the slot and sending the puck past Skinner. Levshunov’s goal completed Chicago’s comeback from the tying sequence and secured the overtime win over Winnipeg.