Chicago was a huge attraction for Ben Johnson. During his free time, he’d come to the city with his family for Cubs games and take in the sights. It became one of his favorite rituals. One of his goals since taking over the Bears was to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field. That hasn’t happened yet, but Johnson got something just as cool in the meantime. The Chicago Blackhawks invited him to the United Center, where he got to sound the horn to start the game with his family. It was a cool moment for the young coach.
Apparently, the Blackhawks needed his presence because what followed was pure adrenaline-fueled craziness. Four minutes in, the Philadelphia Flyers kicked off the action with a goal. Chicago responded three minutes later with one of their own. By the time the first period was over, the two teams had traded shots to a 3-3 tie. It felt like a shootout was on hand. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, that wasn’t the case.
The Blackhawks outscored them 4-1 in the final two periods for a resounding 7-4 victory.
The timing of this with Ben Johnson in the building is notable.
The Blackhawks scored the equivalent of a touchdown on the same afternoon the Bears’ new head coach, an offensive wizard, attends. It is hard not to feel like that is an omen of things to come. Ben Johnson has raised expectations to a new level since arriving in January. He’s young, energetic, intense, and completely obsessed with getting his team over the hump. The Blackhawks can understand that. They’ve been trying to do the same over the past few years, assembling a roster of young, intriguing players headlined by budding star Connor Bedard. Johnson faces the same challenge with quarterback Caleb Williams. If he succeeds, the buzz in Chicago will be the equivalent of the Blackhawks dynasty a decade ago. Probably more. When the Bears are good, this city is different. Johnson is eager to experience it.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.