I mean, we were probably the better team on merit.
But.
But we were mostly crap through the first 30 minutes. Looked poor, no intensity, most of our offense from the perimeter. Chicago was even worse, and we did nothing to take advantage of a weak, tired team who was there for the taking.
But you can't expect to win games when you come out like that in the 3rd period. Took 15 minutes to get a shot from a forward against a bottom-5 team in the 2nd game of a BTB who was down to 5D. When you have a 3rd period like that in that situation, you deserve to lose. This game was up for grabs after 40 minutes and Chicago wanted it more in the 3rd.
But this is the sort of game you have to win to have any hope of righting the ship. This will be the easiest game schedule wise for a long time.
But you can't really complain too much given how often the reverse has happened to us, both this year and in the last few years. Even in the previous game against Chicago this season they outchanced us 15-4 at ES and we won.
Garland and Podkolzin were excellent and really carried the team. Still way too many passengers.