Tyler Bertuzzi makes his feelings known about Martin Pospisil's hits on Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar

By ARJUN B

Modified Dec 22, 2024 05:46 GMT

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Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi shared his thoughts on Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil's hits on rookies Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar during the Blackhawks' 6-4 loss on Saturday night.

In the second period, Pospisil laid a high elbow to Bedard's head that went uncalled by the officials. Later in the period, he lined up 20-year-old Frank Nazar for a big hit. Martin Pospisil was not penalized for either play, while Chicago's Ryan Donato was sent to the box for stepping in to fight Pospisil after the hit on Nazar.

When asked about Martin Pospisil's physicality, Bertuzzi told reporters postgame in Calgary:

"He's just playing hard. That's how he plays. Couple good hits. Obviously we reacted the way we should, but he's playing hard."

Martin Pospisil and Bertuzzi were both ejected after a scrum in the final minutes.

On the game itself, a disappointed Bertuzzi said:

"I mean we didn't play a full 60, pretty much it's too late, especially in this league." (as per NHL.com)

He expanded on the Blackhawks' failed third period comeback attempt, saying:

"Yeah, I mean it shows that we still care and we're making a push to win and we came close, but it's not good enough, we need to play better hockey in the 1st and the 2nd."

Blake Coleman, Matt Coronato, Jonathan Huberdeau, Connor Zary, Mikael Backlund and Nazem Kadri scored for the Flames. Dustin Wolf made 24 saves.

Bertuzzi scored twice for the Blackhawks, while Connor Bedard and Ilya Mikheyev added goals. Petr Mrazek stopped 24 shots in the Chicago net.

Game Recap: Martin Pospisil and Fames win 6-4 against Blackhawks

Huberdeau scored the first goal for the Flames with short-handed backhand goal. Kadri then increased the lead for the Flames to 2–0 with a wrist shot from the slot in the same period.

Bedard put the Blackhawks into the board in the second period from a 2-on-1 rush. Zary answered back for the Flames with a goal just 28 seconds later to make the score 3–1. Coronato then scored a power play goal to increase the lead for the Flames to 4–1.

"I thought the effort was fine, these games, you never know as a coach what you’re going to get on a 2:00 start. I thought the effort for the first couple periods was fine, I thought we gave them a little bit too much life in the third period, but found a way to hold on." Flames HC Ryan Huska.

Coleman scored a between-the-legs backhand goal late in the second to give the Flames a 5-1 advantage. Chicago tried to mount a comeback in the third with two goals from Bertuzzi, including one on a 5-on-3 power play, to make it 5-3.

Mikheyev brought the Blackhawks within one at 5-4 with just over a minute left. But Backlund sealed the 6-4 victory for Calgary with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.