Blackhawks implode early in another road loss against Blues

ST. LOUIS — The Blackhawks’ last trip to Missouri culminated in one of their biggest late-game meltdowns in recent memory.

On Wednesday’s follow-up visit, they got the tsunami of goals allowed out of the way quickly en route to a 5-2 loss to the Blues.

The Blues scored four times on four shots within the first seven minutes of the game, quickly getting things out of hand and chasing Hawks starting goalie Petr Mrazek from the game. After the fourth goal, defenseman Jarred Tinordi seemed half-inclined to fight the entire Blues lineup — as they attempted to celebrate their goal — out of pure frustration.

All told, the Hawks conceded an absurd nine goals in a span of just 19 minutes and six seconds of game time at Enterprise Center dating back to their late-December disaster. They also finished the first period Wednesday with only one shot on goal, leaving Jason Dickinson furious and nearly wordless.

“What needs to be said?” Dickinson said. “I don’t think anything needs to be said. [That was an] embarrassing first period.”

Richardson addressed the team as soon as the first intermission started, rather than waiting 10 minutes as usual, but the hole was far too deep at that point. The Hawks have now dropped nine of their last 10 games in St. Louis since fall 2018.

Slaggert’s breakthrough

Rookie forward Landon Slaggert created one feel-good moment by scoring his first career NHL goal in the third period, receiving a feed from Ryan Donato behind the Blues’ defense and burying it.

After ringing the crossbar on a similar play a couple shifts earlier — continuing a pattern of near-misses through his first 12 games — Slaggert credited his teammates for joking around with him to keep his spirits up. When he got a second chance, he didn’t miss.

“Obviously I wish it came in a little different fashion in more of an important game, but... [I’m] happy to get the first one out the way,” Slaggert said.

Radio contract extended

WGN Radio announced Wednesday they have extended their radio broadcasting rights with the Hawks for the next three years.

Play-by-play broadcaster John Wiedeman, color commentator Troy Murray and pregame-postgame show host Joe Brand have each signed three-year contract extensions, maintaining full status quo on the radio front.