Blackhawks lose more than just Connor Bedard thanks to open-ice hit

The Chicago Blackhawks are not having a great Friday night in their match against the New Jersey Devils.

In the first period, star rookie Connor Bedard left the game with what appeared to be an upper-body injury after receiving an open-ice hit from defenceman Brendan Smith.

Bedard was entering the Devils’ zone on the power-play before Smith stepped up and got him high on the face. The star rookie fell to the ice and held his mouth as he skated on his own to the bench before heading to the dressing room.

At the start of the second frame, the Blackhawks announced Bedard would not return.

This prompted teammate Nick Foligno, who had rushed to Smith after the hit, earning himself a double minor for roughing, to fight the Devils’ blue liner again after the first intermission.

However, the Hawks announced at the start of the third period that Foligno will not return to the remainder of the game. His last shift was during that fight against Smith.

Two players are out of action due to one hit…

Bedard, who leads all rookies in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33) through 38 games, has been selected earlier this week as Chicago’s representative at the NHL’s all-star weekend in Toronto from Feb. 1-3. He also leads the Blackhawks in scoring.

Foligno is clearly the team's leader, and the one that should be wearing the C on his jersey. He has put up eight goals and 17 points in 38 contests, along with more than 30 penalty minutes.

After the 4-2 loss at the hands of the Devils, Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson did not provide any real update on Bedard and Foligno and said both will return home with the team to be examined in Chicago.

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