Bertuzzi’s Third-Period Heroics Lead Blackhawks Past Canucks
What a night it was at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, as Tyler Bertuzzi delivered a performance that will be remembered by Chicago Blackhawks fans for a long time. Bertuzzi scored an incredible hat trick in the third period, propelling the Blackhawks to a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks and ending a three-game winless skid on their ongoing six-game road trip. It was a game that showcased both offensive brilliance and frustrating missed opportunities, particularly for Vancouver.
The third period exploded into action just over three minutes in when Bertuzzi opened the scoring. A perfectly timed backdoor pass from defenseman Matt Grzelcyk found him at the far side of the crease, and the puck bounced off his skates into the net to give Chicago the lead. Less than four minutes later, Bertuzzi struck again on Chicago’s first power play of the night. Dropping to one knee at the far post, he expertly redirected a pass from star forward Connor Bedard past Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who had no chance to stop it.
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Chicago’s momentum kept building. Ilya Mikheyev added to the lead with a short-side wrist shot, and Bertuzzi completed his hat trick by converting a rebound past a diving Lankinen, giving the Blackhawks a commanding 4-0 lead. While the Canucks tried to mount a comeback, Aatu Raty and Evander Kane managed to score late in the period, but it was too little, too late. Bedard then sealed the game with a goal into an empty net, extending his personal point streak to six games and marking his first goal in his hometown of Vancouver since his NHL debut in 2023.
Despite the loss, the Canucks had some bright moments. Kevin Lankinen stopped 23 of 27 shots, and the team set a season high with 45 shots on goal. The issue, however, was largely about shot quality. Many attempts came from distance or were delayed by extra passing, allowing Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight to make an incredible 43 saves. Head coach Adam Foote noted that mental fatigue and overpressing may have contributed to the defensive breakdowns that led to Chicago’s scoring surge.
Ultimately, it was Bertuzzi’s night. His third-period heroics not only secured the win for Chicago but also highlighted his skill in high-pressure situations. The Canucks will now regroup as they continue their four-game homestand, looking to convert their offensive dominance into consistent scoring and tighten up their defensive play. For the Blackhawks, the win provides a much-needed boost and a reminder of the power of a player like Bertuzzi when he finds his rhythm.
The stage is set for the next chapter of this NHL season, but Wednesday night will surely be remembered as the night Tyler Bertuzzi lit up Rogers Arena with a hat trick that changed the game.
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