Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2

The makers of Pride Tape are "extremely disappointed" by the NHL's decision to ban players from using the rainbow-colored stick tape in support of the LGBTQ+ community this season.

"The league has used language in recent days that would prohibit the tape from any proximity to NHL hockey. We hope the league -- and teams -- will again show commitment to this important symbol of combating homophobia," Pride Tape said in a statement.

The NHL announced in June that teams were no longer allowed to wear "specialty" jerseys during warmups, practices or games. The unilateral ban followed a season in which several players refused to take part in warmups when their teams wore Pride night jerseys. Defenseman Ivan Provorov, then of the Philadelphia Flyers, was the first player to opt out in January, citing his Russian Orthodox religion. Because of these objections, individual teams, including the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks, decided not to have any players wear Pride jerseys in warmups.

Outsports called the NHL's new directive "the most stifling, anti-LGBTQ policy any pro sports league in North America has ever issued."

Representatives for the NHL and the players union did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the league sent a memo to all 32 clubs with updated guidance barring any on-ice uniform or gear used in warmups from including any theme night celebrations.

The only place Bedard underachieved was at the faceoff dot, where he went just 2-for-13. That won't diminish his first experience as an NHL player though, something that, despite months of hype leading up to it, went by too quickly, he noted.

"It's a moment you think of all your life," he said. "And now it's already done. That part is kind of sad."

Fortunately for Bedard, the memories can last a lifetime.

His pedigree didn't preclude him from being immersed in all the usual NHL rookie traditions -- or guard against an apparently nervous pregame moment. Before the Blackhawks went out for warmups, Bedard was caught looking frantically around for his missing stick -- having seemingly forgotten to grab one -- before finally locating one on the equipment rack.

Bedard seemed to surprise Jarry with a shot from the short side early in the second and collected the first point of his career late in the second period when he dropped a backhand pass to Alex Vlasic, who then bulled his way in close for a shot whose rebound ended up on the stick of Donato to bring the Blackhawks within 2-1.

Guttman then tied it just past the midway point of the third period with a laser from the slot and Dickinson put the Blackhawks in front to offer a glimpse of the team Chicago hopes it can become on a regular basis, with Bedard at the center of it all.

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 Sarah H

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