THREE THINGS: Blackhawks prospects fall 4-3 to Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets prospects bested the Chicago Blackhawks squad 4-3 on the opening day of the Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament.
After Columbus took the lead midway through the first, Blackhawks 2018 first-round pick Nicolas Beaudin gathered a Dominik Kahun feed and buried it to tie the game with 1:42 left in the period.
The Blue Jackets made it 2-1 late in the second, but 37 seconds later Beaudin continued his strong night by setting up Dylan Sikura for an impressive one-timer score.
After two periods, the Blackhawks trailed in shots 23-12. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen was helping Chicago stay in the game with his effort between the pipes.
MacKenzie Entwistle nearly gave the Blackhawks the lead early in the third when he slipped past the Blue Jackets to break in alone on the goalie. His shot, however, was stopped.

Columbus regained the lead with 13:25 left to play on a quick shot from the slot, which whipped past Lankinen.
The Blue Jackets scored again, this time shorthanded, midway through the third to take a 4-2 lead over the boys in red. This goal came from right in front and went in high over Lankinen.
Chicago made it a one-goal game late in the third on a penalty-shot tally from Alexandre Fortin. Despite possessing the puck in the attacking zone for much of the remainder of the third, the Blackhawks fell just short of the comeback bid. Final shots were 29-21 for Columbus.

1. SIKURA SHINES

Sikura's night began with flashes of speed and skill and, in the second period, he got on the board. Sikura buried a feed from Beaudin with 1:43 left in the middle frame.
Sikura showed off his very quick hands several times throughout the game, but his goal came on a beauty one-timer from in close. He also had a play late that nearly caused a turnover in the offensive zone with Chicago desperately needing a goal.

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton chose to pair Sikura with playmaking center Dominik Kahun on the top line and the two seemed to develop chemistry quickly. Colliton said before the game that Sikura has "dynamic offensive ability" and "really good instincts." Those were on display in this one.

2. BEAUDIN FLASHES OFFENSE

Chicago's second of two 2018 first-round picks flashed his offensive ability early in the opening game of the tournament. Beaudin fired the puck into the back of the net late in the first period and then set up Sikura for his score. Beaudin's assist was a display of his great hockey sense.

There were also a few under-the-radar moments from him in which he moved the puck up quickly, allowing his forwards to get the jump on the Blue Jackets.
Beaudin scored 12 goals in 2017-18 for the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs and added 57 assists in 68 games. The defender's offensive ability is an asset the Blackhawks are surely excited about.

3. FORTIN'S FORTUNE

In the final minutes of the third period, Alexandre Fortin was awarded a penalty shot and made the most of the moment. Trailing by two, Fortin took the puck and started wide before breaking inside. He then fired a nice shot, which slipped past the goalie. The goal made it a 4-3 lead for Columbus and gave Chicago a chance at the comeback.

Fortin was a member of the Blackhawks top line, which had some great moments in the game but Colliton said after that they could have had even more "dominant" shifts. He expects more consistency out of that group of highly skilled Blackhawks.
Chicago plays Carolina Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.