Neal Pionk delivers a perfectly executed hip check that sends Connor Bedard flying

The play came early in the game with the score tied at 0-0. Neither team was creating much offense early on, with both teams mustering just 2 shots on goal prior to the play. However, Bedard was looking to change that as he earned the offensive zone entry. Neal Pionk had other things in mind though as he crunched the young center with a debilitating hip check in open ice.

Bedard was lucky in that he did not appear to be injured on the play. He got back on his skates immediately after the impact and continued to skate the rest of the shift. Furthermore, he was on the ice as expected for his next shift so it may have rocked him, and he certainly felt it, but his performance on the ice shouldn't be impacted in a significant way. That being said, the hit did look pretty brutal in slow motion.

The Blackhawks and Jets are not known as heated rivals, but hits like this will certainly get the attention of the other team, especially when they come at the expense of the Blackhawks' franchise star. Pat Maroon certainly took notice of it.

The game remains tied going into the second period, but the Jets started to pour on the pressure after the hit on Bedard. They lead in shots 7-5 going into the middle frame.