Chicago got the start they wanted in the game, largely controlling play in the opening half of the game, but a pair of special teams mishaps proved to be the difference on Saturday.
On the opening power play of the game, Eeli Tolvanen blistered a slap shot past Kevin Lankinen just 18 seconds into the advantage for the 1-0 lead. Then, in the second as Chicago was on the second power play of their own, Colton Sissons drew a shorthanded penalty shot that he converted for a 2-0 score.
"Special teams is a big difference in the game," head coach Jeremy Colliton said. "They got one early, which they didn't get much other than that in the first 30 minutes of the game. They get the breakaway and the penalty shot on our power play and it's 2-0."
The Blackhawks had a prime opportunity to jump back into the game in the third as Adam Boqvist drew successive penalties five seconds apart to put the visitors on a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:55. Chicago had a few good looks at the net but couldn't solve Saros to get one back.
"We get the 5-on-3 with a chance to turn the game or get some momentum," Colliton said. "I thought we had a lot of chances through all three periods, but obviously that power play was a chance to break through and get some momentum. We just couldn't do it."
"It was a big chance there for us," Keith said. "They've got a good penalty kill and we didn't get one, but would've liked to get one there. For sure, that was a tough one, but there's lots of times in the game where we've just got to keep moving ahead."