The Chicago Blackhawks ended a five-game losing streak on Friday with a surprise win in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Fans hoped that it would turn things around for the Blackhawks, who are in last place in the Central Division.
But it didn’t exactly spark the Blackhawks to go on a winning streak. They started the game horrifically against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, and just five minutes in, the Blues had already scored two.
The Blackhawks conceded three in the first and lost the game 4-2. Postgame, the team reportedly held a meeting about its bad start to the game.
It’s not the first time the team has started a game badly this season.
Although the expectations on them were low to start the season—this campaign is mostly about Connor Bedard, getting him and the other young players experience—veteran players seem to be fed up with the situation.
Foligno didn’t use any names but called out his younger teammates after the Blackhawks’ 13th loss out of 19 games this season.
”Twenty games in, you kind of understand the league a little bit—or you should,” said Foligno, as per the Daily Herald’s John Dietz. ”I’m not saying it’s gonna be perfect, but there’s got to be a little bit more of a commitment to that.”
The Blackhawks have several openings in their starting lineup, as veterans like Corey Perry and Taylor Hall are sidelined for a long time.
But the younger players who suddenly are given a chance don’t perform up to standard, at least according to Foligno.
“Your hair should be on fire this whole year. Because you could be a big part of building this and being a part of the future of this,” said Foligno. “There is no excuse for that. Every time we step on the ice, find your motivation, whatever it may be. I can think about 10 (things) already, and I’m a 36-year-old guy. So that should go through every guy in this room.”
