On April 18, the Chicago Blackhawks (25-40-11) lost to the Calgary Flames (47-20-9) 5-2 at the United Center.
Chicago, which lost for the 10th time in 11 games, allowed three goals in the first period. However, the scoreboard was more lopsided than the final score indicated in what was a 3-2 contest until the visitors netted a pair of empty-net goals late.
After a strong stretch of games in his latest NHL stint, rookie Alec Regula found his first NHL goal, and first NHL point, in the second period.
The Blackhawks next embark on an upcoming three-game trip to Arizona (Wed., April 20), Los Angeles and San Jose.
—Seiya Suzuki extended his hitting streak to nine games, tying Akinori Iwamura for the longest by a Japanese-born player at the start of a major league career, as the Chicago Cubs (6-4) beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on April 18 on a cold night at Wrigley Field, according to ESPN.
Suzuki is batting .429 after a night going two for three.
There were intermittent snow flurries throughout the game, and the temperature at gametime was 40 degrees, with a 16-mph wind that caused a 34-degree windchill. Several Rays wore hand warmers.
The two teams will play again Tuesday, April 19.
As for the Chicago White Sox, the team's game at the Cleveland Guardians was postponed due to inclement weather. They are scheduled to play Tuesday, April 19, in a doubleheader.
—Speaking of the Cubs, former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta announced he's retiring after a 12-season career, ESPN noted.
"Well, I haven't signed the papers, man, but I'm done. It's time for me to step away from the game," the pitcher said on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast.
The right-hander won the National League Cy Young in 2015 when he went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA for the Chicago Cubs in five seasons. Arrieta also played with the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres.
