Morning Chirps: Moore has a big night, Kantserov leads the KHL

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action tonight as they host the Utah Mammoth. We’ll have a game preview for you after we talk to head coach Jeff Blashill at morning skate. Stay tuned after the game for some Postgame Musings as the Blackhawks look to lock down their first win of the early season.

Blackhawks Chirps

• As our Ty Glenn writes, Frank Nazar’s rollercoaster first professional season laid the foundation for him to become a vital core member of this franchise for years to come.

• The Jared Nightingale era of Rockford IceHogs hockey is off to a 2-0-0 start after they beat the Iowa Wild 6-2 on Sunday. Oliver Moore scored his first two professional goals as the IceHogs built a 4-0 lead midway through the second period. He added a third point with an assist on Dominic Toninato’s third-period goal. Nick Lardis had the primary assist for his first professional point. Samuel Savoie added an assist after scoring in overtime on Saturday. Stanislav Berezhnoy made 29 saves for his first North American win. The IceHogs return home on Friday to host the Texas Stars before spending the rest of the month on the road.

• Roman Kantserov continues to make the Kontinental Hockey League his personal playground with another goal on Sunday. He’s now tied for the league lead in goals with nine.

• Marek Vanacker netted a hat trick in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 8-5 win over the Ottawa 67’s. He added an assist to reach 151 career points, the 10th-most in franchise history.

• On this date in 1947, Blackhawks forward Doug Bentley scored the game-winning goal in the first NHL All-Star Game. The format for the first game was that the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Maple Leafs, took on a team of All-Stars from the other five squads.

• In 1984, Chris Chelios scored his first NHL goal as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, as they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3.

• A year later, future Hall of Famer and Blackhawk, Wendell Clark, scored his first two NHL goals to lead the Maple Leafs to a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks.

• In 1990, the Blackhawks beat the Minnesota North Stars 4-1 for the 1700th win in franchise history. Steve Larmer factored in all the scoring with his fifth career hat trick and an assist.  

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 13: Jack Dyte and Sean O’Donnell.

NHL Chirps

• The NHL dished out a pair of $2,500 fines. Mammoth defenseman was fined for his dangerous trip against Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos. Vancouver Canucks blueliner Tyler Myers’ next game check will be a little light for slashing Connor McDavid.

• The Carolina Hurricanes are hoping for good news on defenseman Jacob Slavin. He left Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers with an apparent knee injury.

• Former Blackhawks defenseman Lucas Carlsson was placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks.  

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 13: Marc-Andre Bergeron, Paul Cavalini, Bill Lochead, Andrej Meszaros, Rod Schutt, and Jakob Silfverberg.