During the bout, Connor Bedard wasn't exactly a factor in the game, as Ryan Donato scored the first goal of the game, with Patrick Maroon with an assist.
Honestly, hearing that is scary as none of the top-six forwards would show up last night and that's how Scott Arniel wanted it.
Bedard would be held to just one shot on goal during the night, and unlike the failed comeback in Utah, the Blackhawks would fail to rally in the third.
The Blackhawks would be shut down, like Arniel wanted, as the team was limited to a 36.7% faceoff percentage last night.
But the most egregious thing of all is how Arniel's statement led to Bedard being targeted by the Winnipeg Jets.
As evidenced by Neal Pionk's devastating hip check, which caused a stir last night on the internet.
Pionk is already defying "the code" by targeting a superstar like Connor Bedard, and he has been enabled by Pat Maroon, and Nick Foligno refusing to retaliate.
Lest we forget how dangerous the instigator rule is, which has limited fighting in hockey, and the ability to police on the ice, while George Parros sits in his ivory tower of ignorance.
Arniel's words brought action on ice, of course where the Jets would defeat the Blackhawks.
But the other actions are what we're concerned about, what will the next dangerous hip-check look like? Brendan Smith injured him once already last season.
POLL | ||
Do you think Scott Arniel painted a target on Connor Bedard's back last night after his comments? | ||
Yes | 260 | 83.9 % |
No | 50 | 16.1 % |
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