By Canadian Press

Rookie Bedard scores, but Pastrnak pots 2 to lead Bruins past Blackhawks 2-1

Oct 11, 2023 | 8:31 PM

BOSTON (AP) — David Pastrnak scored to break a second-period tie and added an empty-netter to give the Boston Bruins a 3-1 victory over Chicago on Wednesday night and spoil the first career NHL goal for Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard.

Trent Frederic also scored for Boston and reigning Vezina Trophy-winner Linus Ullmark made 20 saves as the Bruins won their season opener a year after setting NHL records for wins and points but then losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Matthew Poitras, the Bruins’ top rookie, assisted on Frederic’s goal for his first career NHL point.

Arvid Soderblom stopped 32 shots for the Blackhawks, who beat Pittsburgh on Tuesday, with Bedard registering an assist for his first point. The highly touted rookie scored about five minutes into the game on Wednesday on a wraparound that beat Ullmark and made it 1-0.

Frederic tied it midway through the first and Pastrnak beat Soderblom on his glove side to give Boston the lead on a feed from Milan Lucic seven minutes into the second. Pastrnak made it 3-1 with just under a minute left when Soderblom was pulled for an extra skater.

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Bedard also picked up his first penalty — a tripping call in the second period, and gave the Blackhawks a scare when he was slow to get up after crashing into the boards skates first with about five minutes left in the third period.

He remained in the game.

Boston rookie Johnny Beecher picked up his first penalty when he got in a fight with Jason Dickinson in the third period.

HALL PASS

Chicago forward Taylor Hall did not play in the third period after leaving the ice following a hit from Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo.

A CENTURY OF BRUINS

The Bruins opened their 100th season with a ceremony to welcome back some of their greats, including Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Ray Bourque. More recent players and members of the 2011 Stanley Cup champions included Patrice Bergeron, Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara.

Family members representing Eddie Shore, Dit Clapper and Milt Schmidt also took part. Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier in 1958, appeared by video from his home in San Diego.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press