Connor Bedard was once again at the center of the hockey world as he recorded his second career hat trick in the Blackhawks’ 5-2 win over the Flames Tuesday night at the United Center. Bedard’s big night helped the Blackhawks improve to a six-game point streak. The team is in the midst of a lengthy homestand, and during his postgame interview with CHSN color man Darren Pang, Bedard commented on the crowds at the United Center during the past few games.
“I think the last three games have been probably the loudest of my career. We feed off that so much, we appreciate it.”
Blackhawks fans are restoring the roar at the Madhouse
Bedard is in his third year as a Blackhawk, and it speaks volumes when he mentions the last few home games being the loudest of his career. It’s no surprise the building is louder to the fans, considering the team is taking a big step forward. The growing enthusiasm for the young team is not going unnoticed by the players.
Saturday night against the Maple Leafs, a season high 20,489 showed up at the United Center and gave the barn a playoff-like atmosphere in their 3-2 win. While a Saturday game against an Original Six team with a special centennial ceremony commemorating “The Originals” is an attractive draw regardless, it was that raucous atmosphere that Bedard spoke about that is so special. There have been a handful of big ceremonies at the United Center in recent years, ending with dud on the ice and an anticlimactic atmosphere.
The later weekday games against non-rivals, like the one on Tuesday, are not selling out yet. Though the feeling is that the enthusiasm among the fanbase is growing quickly, and more sellout or close to selling out games at the Madhouse could be on the horizon. Maybe not 2009-2015 dynasty levels yet, but an increase. Even compared to earlier home games before this homestand, when they were drawing around 15-16K.
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Blackhawks players are feeding off the fans
As mentioned, Bedard showed appreciation to the fans. Mentioning how the team “feeds” off the fans and each other. It’s been noticeable that the young Hawks are growing more confident by the game. Being a young, hungry squad and feeling this type of energy like they have not before has to aid that confidence, and they have made clear that that’s the case.
Call it cliché or corny, but human emotions are very real. Imagine being a 20-year-old playing the game you’ve known your whole life in front of a deafening crowd cheering you on. One can only comprehend how that must feel. It was the same case in 2007-2008 when Chicago began to take notice of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
It’s time to start spreading the news and get more people to the United Center and be even louder.
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