Blackhawks' Soderblom Has Mended Biggest Weakness

Blackhawks’ Soderblom Has Mended Biggest Weakness

The Chicago Blackhawks definitely didn’t want to head to a shootout when Arvid Soderblom was in net for a very clear reason. The team’s netminder had allowed nine goals on nine attempts before his most recent game against the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 8.

Allowing nine consecutive goals in the shootout, not only at any point in a career, but to begin a career, is impressive for the wrong reasons. That massive weakness was mended in a huge way as Soderblom was stellar in an eventual shootout loss.

Related: Blackhawks Drop Crazy Match Vs Blues; Lose In Shootout 6-5

Soderblom stopped the first shot against him and that had to have given him a great deal of confidence to finally get that shootout stop. After being scored on by the second Blues’ shooter, he proceeded to shut the door for seven consecutive shots, nearly matching the streak of goals against him to start his career in one sequence.

The Blackhawks weren’t able to give Soderblom any help as the shootout went to round 10 and the Blues finally scored again on a great move. The Blackhawks couldn’t have asked for more in net as the team lost because Chicago scored one time on 10 attempts.

The game wasn’t a goalie battle until it went to overtime and the shootout as the Blackhawks lost 6-5.

Soderblom has had a strong season turning a 2023-24 SV% of .880 into a 2024-25 SV% of .908. The 25-year-old has filled in and earned his place in the NHL. The Blackhawks are fortunate to have him and have been patient with him.

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