CHICAGO — In a thrilling Winter Classic event held at Wrigley Field, Cam Fowler marked a milestone with two goals in his 1,000th NHL game, leading the St. Louis Blues to a decisive 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. This triumph marked St. Louis’s third win in their last four outings, showcasing a solid team performance. Alongside Fowler’s contributions, Justin Faulk made his mark with a goal and two assists, while teammates Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, and Alexandre Texier each added to the scoreboard.
The win was bittersweet for the Blackhawks, who struggled once again, marking their fifth consecutive loss. They have had a challenging stretch, being outscored 27-12 during this losing streak. In front of a lively crowd of 40,933 at the home of baseball’s Chicago Cubs, Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi managed to put points on the board for the Blackhawks. Goalie Petr Mrazek recorded 22 saves but faced a relentless Blues offense.
The game commenced with an early advantage for St. Louis after Chicago defenseman Louis Crevier was penalized for delay of game just 48 seconds into the first period. Fowler seized the opportunity and netted his first goal on the ensuing power play, marking his second goal in the nine games since his acquisition from Anaheim on December 14. The Blues continued to press their advantage, with Faulk launching a powerful shot into the net at 7:15 of the second period. Fowler capped off his impressive outing by scoring again with a shot from the blue line, bringing the score to 5-1 with just over two minutes remaining in the second period.
Noteworthy moments included a crucial save from Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, who made a spectacular right pad stop on a breakaway chance from Hall. Shortly afterward, Holloway extended the Blues’ lead to 4-1, netting his 14th goal of the season.
The Blues’ victory continued their flawless record in outdoor games, now standing at 3-0, all of which were secured during Winter Classic matches. As both teams look ahead, they are set for home games this coming Friday night, with St. Louis facing off against Ottawa, while Chicago prepares to take on Montreal.
In reflecting on the game, it was a remarkable night for Fowler, who became the first player in NHL history to compete outdoors in his 1,000th game and the first St. Louis player to score in such a milestone game. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks continue to find their footing under interim coach Anders Sorensen, struggling with a 4-8-0 record.
As fans anticipate the next matchups, both teams face pivotal opportunities to shift their current trajectories.
