VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Three weeks ago, the Blackhawks lost to the Canucks for the 11th consecutive time after Jeff Blashill unsuccessfully challenged a waved-off go-ahead goal by Tyler Bertuzzi.
Blashill still disagrees with and is annoyed by that ruling. But in their rematch Wednesday, the Hawks moved past it in every possible way.
Tyler Bertuzzi buried not one but three third-period goals, Blashill issued his first successful challenge as Hawks coach — overturning a Canucks goal due to goalie interference — and the Hawks broke the Canucks’ hex with a 5-2 win.
“The guys battled well,” said Spencer Knight, who made a season-high 43 saves. “They did a good job, when things got a little chaotic, staying calm.”
Knight was a perfect 35-for-35 after two periods, propping up the Hawks through an awful second period, during which they resembled last year’s helpless squad. The young goalie has rediscovered his top form after a brief dip last week.
“I don’t think it was a lack of want or care or effort, so then it’s about correcting mistakes and finding a way to go out and do a better job,” Blashill said. “I thought we were really good in the third. We talked about, ‘Good teams find a way to win this game. You’re on the road. It’s 0-0. You probably haven’t played your best. Go out and have a great period.’ And I thought we did.”
Bertuzzi’s first and second goals were both quintessential for him: He redirected perfect passes, one from Matt Grzelcyk and one from Connor Bedard, into the net from the back post.
GOAL: Tyler Bertuzzi backdoor AGAIN! 2-0 Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2B3HlPVpsQ
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) November 6, 2025
Bertuzzi completed his hat trick by chasing down a loose puck and ripping a shot from 15 feet out — a long distance by his standards — past ex-Hawks goalie Kevin Lankinen.
“Throughout the course of the year, ‘Bert’ has really competed, worked and been on pucks,” Blashill said. “[His] skating doesn’t always look great, but man, he wins pucks.
“He’s really learned over the years how to build a wall on that back post. People shoot for it, and they go in. It’s a great way to score.”
Bedard’s assist, followed by an empty-net goal later that sealed the result, marked his first two career points in his hometown of Vancouver — where he looked rattled during both visits last season. He attempted a whopping 13 shots, turning five on goal.
Former Hawk Lukas Reichel generated some good chances for the Canucks, including one breakaway, but he unsurprisingly failed to convert them. The Hawks’ victory marked their first against the Canucks since November 2021.