CHICAGO — Anders Sorensen’s inaugural game as the interim head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks mirrored the challenges faced during Luke Richardson’s tenure, showcasing a lack of offensive power in yet another defeat.
Following Richardson’s dismissal earlier in the week, Sorensen stepped up from his role with the Rockford team in the American Hockey League. Despite only having a single practice session before the match against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, Sorensen led the team onto the ice.
In this contest, the Blackhawks struggled significantly, recording a season-low total of just 14 shots on goal as they fell to the Jets 4-2, marking their fifth straight loss. The team managed a mere six shots in the final two periods, highlighting the offensive deficiencies that have plagued them. Sorensen reflected on the match, noting, “I thought they hemmed us in because they were taking a lot of shots and recovering a lot of pucks, and we got kind of back on our heels a little bit. You know we have to turn around and find pucks constantly. It’s a tough way to play.”
Compounding the situation was the early exit of goaltender Petr Mrazek, who left the game in the first period due to a suspected groin injury. Sorensen confirmed, “He’ll be out a little bit,” although he did not provide a precise timeline for Mrazek’s recovery.
The Blackhawks attempted a 2-1-2 defensive formation but frequently found a defenseman contributing offensively when advancing into the Jets’ territory. Unfortunately, their efforts often fell short due to numerous missed opportunities. Captain Nick Foligno pointed out, “We’ve had one practice. We obviously understand the urgency. It’s just not going to turn around in one day. He wants us to be a real tenacious go-ahead team. You could see that tonight when we were playing on our toes.”
Looking ahead, the Blackhawks will embark on a three-game road trip, commencing with a matchup against the New York Rangers on Monday night. Their current road record stands at 4-9-2 this season. Foligno elaborated on the team’s mindset, stating, “We’re trying to find our game and understand what we do a little bit better. I think in the first period we did a lot of good things. We had pace, played the way Anders wants us to play. It’s disappointing we didn’t get the job done.”
