The Chicago Blackhawks have a phenomenal goal-scoring talent in franchise centerman Connor Bedard, and there should be more excitement in the organization regarding one of their promising prospects who is making waves in the OHL this season.
This Oakville, Ontario native is off to an electrifying start, proving to be a hidden gem in the Blackhawks’ system that could add even more firepower to the team in the future.
This past weekend, the Brantford Bulldogs registered massive victories over the Brampton Steelheads (5-3) and Niagara IceDogs (6-3).
Their impressive victories are largely attributed to the performance of star right winger and Blackhawks prospect, Nick Lardis.
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Lardis, drafted in the third round (67th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by Chicago, scored back-to-back hat tricks and eight points over the two games. The young man is up to an incredible 20 goals in 19 games this season and is on pace for a 70-goal season.
His weekend started with a natural hat trick against the Steelheads Saturday night, potting home a couple of powerplay goals on Brantford’s five-minute powerplay in the back half of the second period, before he sealed the win with an empty-netter.
His first goal was scored off his patent one-timer, a staple in his high-end goal-scoring ability.
Lardis is incredibly lethal from the right-side faceoff circle on the powerplay. Anytime he gets a clean one-timer off with no defenders in the lane, that puck usually ends up in the back of the net.
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Additionally, Lardis scored his 100th career OHL goal on his second goal of the game.
Nick followed up his incredible performance by matching his production less than 24 hours later in an afternoon tilt against the IceDogs.
His first goal against Niagara is a clear example of how even though Lardis isn’t a big, heavy guy, he still is able to generate an immense amount of power behind his shot through proper shooting mechanics.
Lardis keeps his chest up and open towards his target. He gets his arms away from his body and pushes through his bottom hand on his shot to generate the torque of his stick, creating that quick release.
On his second goal, it’s all about instincts. Instead of bumping the puck to his teammate low on the goal line, Lardis drives the slot since the penalty-killing forwards leave it unattended, and then buries his own rebound.
While…