Last night’s game sucked, so I’m going to open the new week with a little fresh air. The Blackhawks celebrated the career of organist Frank Pellico as he played for the final time. For more than three decades he handled the business end of making the music dance at the United Center (and the Chicago Stadium before that). For so many fans, the game experience truly started with Gene Honda asking us to please rise and remove your hats and join organist Frank Pellico and soloist Jim Cornelison in the singing of our national anthem. So, one last time, here it is. Frank on the keys, Jim with the booming voice.
The last United Center anthem with Frank Pellico on the organ. The crowd made it a loud one, for sure. pic.twitter.com/CuyMQZZ2sp
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 24, 2025 So many people reached out to me via text message or social media yesterday expressing disappointment they didn’t know yesterday would be Frank’s last game further in advance. The Blackhawks shared the news with some media at 10 AM. It would have been nice for fans to be able to celebrate his career with a little more notice for sure.Organist Frank Pellico was just filling in for a colleague when he first played a Blackhawks game, and a chance encounter after the game led to him landing the role for the next 33 years. pic.twitter.com/NKqwaxNpVQ
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) February 23, 2025 On the the travesty that is the on-ice product, it appears Lukas Reichel has taken his blanket and pillow and moved right back into the dog house. He skated only nine shifts (7:35 total) last night, lost all three of his faceoffs and was credited with one hit and one shot on net. When asked about Reichel’s disappearance from the lineup after his final shift (which came 12:30 into the second period), interim head coach Anders Sorensen confirmed it was a coach’s decision. “Didn’t like his game,” Sorensen said. When pressed if there was anything specific about his game the coach didn’t like, he shortly said he would take it up with the player. So… yeah. Sorensen also said they were going to “look at” the top line of Landon Slaggert, Connor Bedard and Ryan Donato. They haven’t been fabulous in the first two games after the break. The vibes around the team aren’t great right now. Lots of “wish we had answers.” Having covered the team thru the trade deadlines during the rebuild, the two weeks before the deadline have been uneasy times for guys who might be on the move. So I can appreciate some guys having a lot on their minds right now. I asked Sorensen about the possibility of the looming trade deadline being a distraction before the game last night. The guys at CHGO were kind enough to share his answer in video form.Anders Sorensen on keeping the team focused with the trade deadline approaching (Question from @The1Tab) pic.twitter.com/cQnEPQFIjG
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 23, 2025 Speaking of the trade deadline, I’m just gonna put this out there: the Edmonton Oilers allowed 13 goals in their two games this weekend (6 on Saturday, 7 on Sunday). They had a third different scout since Jan. 1 in Chicago to watch the Blackhawks on Sunday. The Minnesota Wild, who don’t face the Hawks or Leafs any time soon, also had a scout at the game. After not scoring on Saturday, Nick Lardis got back on his horse Sunday and scored the first two goals of the game for Brantford. The first goal — which came just 25 seconds into the game — gave him 100 points for the season. He completed his seventh(!) hat trick of the season (and had an assist), giving him 103 points on the season — a new franchise record for Brantford.#Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis scores 25 seconds into the game to give him 100 points on the season for @BulldogsOHL pic.twitter.com/3ZO77hWSCL
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 23, 2025Could probably AI generate these highlights at this point#BFD | #Blackhawks | #OHL t.co/s2eQHkDVed pic.twitter.com/kxwZowFanx
— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) February 23, 2025??????Yeah that’s a Sunday hat trick for #Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis for @BulldogsOHL pic.twitter.com/jThR2ChB4s
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 23, 2025 His name keeps coming up when I post highlights, but it’s buried under Lardis highlights so frequently this season. Jack Pridham might be one of the real steals from the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He’s headed to Boston University next season and took advantage of the NCAA allowing CHL players to go to college this season, jumping into the mix with Kitchener. He scored his 20th goal in his 39th game with the Rangers last night and added an assist later. Again, really good speed and good hands. He’s got a little size to him as well.20th OF THE SEASON FOR PRIDS #RTown | #BattleBuilt | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/XWc0Ocdtdf
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) February 23, 2025 What Alexander Ovechkin is doing right now is simply ridiculous. Remember: he broke his leg this season. And now he’s within two touchdowns of tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record for the NHL. He had a hat trick on Sunday.HAT TRICK, ALEXANDER OVECHKIN! ?Career goal number 882—just thirteen away! ? pic.twitter.com/IFEjoy5A65
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 23, 2025Alex Ovechkin scored a hat trick to record the 882nd goal of his career, 200 of which have come since Jan. 1, 2020. He is now just 13 goals away from completing The #Gr8Chase and is on pace to pass Wayne Gretzky (894) at home versus Chicago on April 4.#NHLStats:… pic.twitter.com/On917qgarr
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 23, 2025MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter
Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs haven’t lost yet in Spring Training! The Sky traded for an all-star last night. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Frank’s Finale, Reichel Sits, Deadline Distraction? Another Lardis Hat Trick, and Other Blackhawks Bullets )
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