It’s only August and the Blackhawks are already playing back-to-back games! That’s the beauty of the prospect tournament. Alexis Gravel got the day off in net for this one, and we got to see free-agent invite Nick Kossoff.

Period 1

Period one today was way less exciting score-wise. But, it was a lot better in terms of play. Blackhawks got the first goal from Sean Josling (free agent invite) on a set up from Philipp Kurashev. Unfortunately they couldn’t take that lead into the intermission or add to it. Nick Kossoff made a huge breakaway save on Robertson to send the game to the first intermission tied 1-1.

Period 2

So, they didn’t make me write about slow starts becoming a trend. But here we are in the Second Period section talking about how this period went to hell. The Blackhawks give up two unanswered goals and don’t score on their own powerplay opportunity. A bad second period was an ever-present theme during the 2018-19 IceHogs season, and it has shown itself during the two games thus far this weekend. I’m not confident it’ll change. If that’s the case, we’re in for a long season in Rockford.

The Blackhawks managed to get a goal from Tim Soderlund on the powerplay and only trail by one lading into the third. 3-2 Leafs.

Period 3

The third period didn’t start much better. The Blackhawks give up a goal to go down 4-2 then Dach immediately takes a hooking penalty. Period 3 was a penalty frenzy with the Leafs scoring a PP goal and the Blackhawks scoring a shorthanded goal. The whole time was spent exchanging penalties. I can't even write them all out, I'll be too exhausted. The game ends 6-3. I'm tired.

Kirby Dach (77) – 3rd Overall 2019 Draft

I have disturbingly little to write about Kirby Dach today. At times I was wondering if he was even playing. He was on the starting PP unit, but he couldn’t get anything done and turned the puck over a couple of time in the process. He wasn’t carrying the puck into the zone like he was trying last night. He seemed nonexistent overall. Well, until he couldn't stay out of the box.

Adam Boqvist (27) – 8th Overall 2018 Draft

Yesterday I was talking about how Kirby Dach is obviously a good player, so he can use these tournaments to test his limit. That’s how I felt about Adam Boqvist in this game. He was trying to stick handle his way through the offensive zone. It didn’t always work out, but I have no problem with trying it out in games like this . . . as long as someone is covering for him at the point and he hustles back in the event of a turnover.

What stood out to me was that he was getting time on the first penalty kill unit. I haven’t thought of Boqvist as a penalty killer, but if he can develop into a great two-way defenseman, I will be thrilled. He obviously has the offensive side of the game down, but he broke up a 1v1 rush pretty effortlessly. He looks as confident in his own zone as he does away from his net. That’s great news for the IceHogs and Blackhawks.

It doesn’t appear that Boqvist is putting in 100% effort so far this tournament. That’s a but troublesome, but I guess we will see what the next games hold.

Cole Moberg (62) – 194th Overall 2019 Draft

Honestly, I didn’t know very much about this kid until watching game 1 last night. Then, I kept hearing his name and started paying attention. He was all over the ice. Moberg was a 7th round pick in the draft this summer and plays on the blue line. With a pretty stacked defense prospect cupboard, try not to sleep on this kid.

In the game today, he was getting some time on the penalty kill. He was also noticeable in both ends of the ice. He was solid positionally and he’s not afraid to shoot the puck. For the last point alone, I need him to be signed immediately. He’s got a pretty good stick, and for a big guy (6-4), his skating isn’t awkward.

Nicolas Beaudin (74) – 27th Overall 2018 Draft

The best way to describe Beaudin is steady. He’s a reliable guy on the blue line and gets in position to break up plays. He sticks with his man while defending and seems like a smart player.

Dylan McLaughlin making himself known

Slow Start

The Blackhawks have blessed with me with not having to write about this becoming a trend. They came out looking a lot better than Friday night. They looked energized right from puck drop, and the first period was pretty back and forth. They weren’t getting hemmed into their own zone as much. It’s only one period, but I was more impressed with this first period. The four goals from Friday night would have been good, but let’s be pleased that they came out strong.

Special Teams

Gilbert and Boqvist getting 1PK time. No goals given up on special teams in the first period. They just have to take it one period at a time and work on improving the PK. They looked significantly better this game. They did

On the powerplay, it’s curious to me that Kirby Dach was not playing at the front of the net. He was roving the half-wall and point. With most of the highlights I’ve seen from him, he scores more in close to the net. I don’t think using him in “Ovi’s Office” is the best use of his skill. Not only didn’t they give up a goal on the PK, but they only scored one on the PP. Not a good day for special teams. But, getting any goals on the power play is an improvement. Although, they did have a 4 minute power play that they couldn’t convert on. 

Overall

This game was a mess. I don't even know what happened after the first period. It just went all downhill very quickly.