**Blackhawks Secure Victory in Preseason Finale with Bedard Leading Charge**

The Chicago Blackhawks concluded their preseason with a resounding 6-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Returning to Milwaukee after a two-year hiatus, the Blackhawks were buoyed by an outstanding performance from Connor Bedard, who consistently challenged Blues goalie prospect Vadim Zherenko.

Reflecting on the team's preseason performance, Bedard admitted to frustrations but emphasized the drive to end on a positive note. "We were pretty frustrated with how preseason has gone so far. No matter what it is, losing isn't fun. We wanted to end it off on a good note and try to do the right things as much as we could. We could see the success when we did that," Bedard stated.

The Blackhawks' preseason record stood at 1-4-1, a small relief compared to their winless status prior to Saturday. Nevertheless, concerns remain about the form of many of their NHL veterans. Despite the impressive showing against St. Louis, the standout players were mostly young talents destined for Rockford, including forward Frank Nazar.

The Blackhawks are aiming to turn their preseason struggles into learning experiences to avoid regular-season pitfalls. The real test begins on Tuesday in Utah, where they will need to demonstrate significant improvement.

Revisiting Milwaukee after their groundbreaking game two years ago, which marked the first NHL game in Wisconsin since 1993, the Blackhawks' recent visit might have lacked novelty but showed increased local support. Since 2022, the number of Blackhawks fans in Milwaukee has surged by 66%. This year's game saw 60% of tickets purchased by Wisconsin residents, a notable but decreased figure from 2022's 81%.

One of the team's key forwards, Taylor Hall, has shown confidence in his recovery from an ACL injury, though he will follow a load-management plan to prevent any setbacks. "Anyone coming back from an ACL injury has a little bit of load management," Hall remarked, appreciating the trust placed in him by Coach Luke Richardson.

Additionally, forward Joey Anderson's spot on the Blackhawks roster appears secure, reinforced by Nazar's move to Rockford. Anderson's impressive defensive stats from the previous season make him an invaluable asset moving forward. Adjustments in his diet and focus on healthier snacking have contributed to his readiness.

As the Blackhawks transition from preseason to regular-season action, they look to build on their recent success and apply lessons learned to achieve consistent performance.