The Chicago Blackhawks drop their third straight game with a 5-2 loss to Utah Hockey Club Sunday. With the loss, they fall to 21-44-9 on the season.

Minnesota Golden Gophers players Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel made their NHL debut, but were unable to find the back of the net in their first game.

Today's final. pic.twitter.com/i4QNtlSN62

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) March 30, 2025

Ryan Donato and Joe Veleno scored for Chicago, while Arvid Soderblom stopped 26 of 31 shots in net.

Scoreless First Period

Moore and Rinzel took the opening faceoff for Chicago, marking the first of what would be an incredible career. Both teams failed to get on the board in the first period, finishing with ten shots on goal each.

Rinzel had quality chances to net his first NHL goal in the first period but was unable to capitalize.

Goal-Scoring Affair in the Second

Nick DeSimone scored the first goal of the game on a redirect shot from the left point past Soderblom to make it 1-0 Utah.

Chicago answered back as Veleno tied the game up at one on a highlight-reel play, shifting from backhand to forehand, beating Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka.

JOE VELENO WHAT A MOVE pic.twitter.com/7mWkCsV4IY

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2025

Donato put the Blackhawks up 2-1, burying a rebound past Vejmelka for his 29th goal of the season and fourth in his last two games.

Bedsy sets it up and Donato delivers 🚨 pic.twitter.com/pO1Ujjgsfs

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) March 30, 2025

The lead wouldn’t last long, as Mikhail Sergachev tied the game up at two with a left point shot that deflected off Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski for his 14th goal of the season.

Just 31 seconds later, Alexander Kerfoot gave Utah the lead, deflecting a shot from Sergachev out in front of the net.

Utah took a one-goal lead into the second intermission after forty minutes of play.

U-TALL

Utah continued the pressure on in the third period as Kailer Yamamoto ripped a one-timer home on the rebound from the right circle to make it 4-2.

Logan Cooley, another Minnesota Golden Gopher playing in the game, made it 5-2 for the final.

3 Takeaways from the Game:

1. Moore and Rinzel Debut: The biggest storyline heading into the game was the debut of forward Oliver Moore and defenseman Sam Rinzel. Although they didn’t get on the scoresheet, both players had a great performance, especially Rinzel. Moore logged 15:03 of ice time, had two shots on goal, and finished with a -1 rating. Rinzel finished with 20:15 of ice time, four shots, two hits, and an even plus/minus.

2. The Big Rig Steps Up for the Kids: With under a minute to go in the second period, Utah forward Jack McBain sent Sam Rinzel hard into the boards, and followed up with a reverse hit on Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser. Patrick Maroon wasted no time stepping in, and dropping the glove with McBain. The veteran forward stood tall in the fight, showing leadership and respect for his young teammates.

Pat Maroon comes to the defense of Sam Rinzel by dropping the gloves with Jack McBain, who laid a big hit on the rookie defenseman playing in his first NHL game. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/L2cBX7vpGm

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 30, 2025

3. Costly Turnovers and Deflections: The Blackhawks struggled with defensive-zone turnovers and redirections, allowing Utah to take control of the game. Poor puck management played a significant role in the loss.

What’s Next: The Blackhawks wrap up their five-game homestand Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. CST on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.