The scuffle was triggered by Smith's hit on Bedard in the first period.
The fight between Foligno and Smith was one of the longest of the season, showcasing the intensity of the moment. However, it came at a cost for Foligno, who sustained an injury during the altercation. The Blackhawks swiftly announced in a team release that Foligno would not return to the game.
Nick Foligno dropping the gloves with Brendan Smith after he injured Connor Bedard pic.twitter.com/OuKThQ5a6E� Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) January 6, 2024
This marks the second injury announcement for the Blackhawks in the same game, adding to their growing list of sidelined players.
The current injury roster includes key names like Bedard, Taylor Hall, Seth Jones, Tyler Johnson, Taylor Raddysh, Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Beauvillier, and Joey Anderson.
As the Blackhawks face challenges on the ice, the increasing number of injuries raises concerns about the team's performance in the upcoming games.
POLL | ||
Do the Blackhawks need to acquire tough fighter to protect Bedard? | ||
Yes | 178 | 80.5 % |
No | 43 | 19.5 % |
List of polls |