Two prized rookies and 2023 WJC top scorers each settled for a point in Coyotes 8-1 drubbing of Blackhawks on Monday.
So much for the big stars of the 2023 World Junior Championships — and the future stars of the NHL — taking center stage on Monday night.
Despite the build-up, Chicago rookie Connor Bedard and Arizona first-year phenom Logan Cooley dazzled only a bit in the Coyotes' 8-1 drubbing of the Blackhawks in Tempe, Arizona.
Bedard, from North Vancouver, British Columbia was the leading scorer in the 2023 WJC, posting nine goals and a record 23 points for gold-medal winning Team Canada in seven games. Cooley, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was second with seven goals and 14 points in seven games for Team USA at the WJC.
Their first meeting as NHLers was... meh, whatever...
Bedard had terrific goal 28 seconds into the game, then...
The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 took two additional shots on goal and three more shot attempts that were either blocked or went wide. None mattered as the Coyotes scored eight unanswered goals en route to an easy win.
Cooley, drafted third overall by Arizona in 2022, managed only one assist, despite his team's offensive barrage. Michael Carcone had his first NHL hat trick, plus an assist, Jack McBain also had four points, on two goals and two assists.
Cooley finished with one shot on goal and five more attempts. Four of those were misses.
Both Bedard and Cooley have six total points so far.
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