Byram Scores Hat Trick in Blackhawks' Preseason Win Over Wild

Defenseman Bowen Byram scored three goals, including the overtime winner, as Chicago beat Minnesota 4-3 in exhibition play at the United Center.

Bowen Byram made an immediate impression in his first preseason game with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring three of his team's four goals in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild on Monday at the United Center. Byram finished with a team-high five shots, two hits, a plus-two rating, and a team-leading 23:31 of ice time.

The night started poorly for the defenseman. Minnesota scored 15 seconds in when Bobby Brink deflected David Spacek's shot past Spencer Knight, a sequence that began with a turnover by Byram along the boards. Nick Lardis tied the game at 8:40 of the first period, scoring on a breakaway immediately after leaving the penalty box, beating Wild goalie Calvin Pickard.

Byram gave Chicago a 2-1 lead at 2:48 of the second period, wiring a wrist shot into the top corner after a setup from Ryan Greene, with Sam Rinzel starting the sequence. Byram later delivered a big hit on Hunter Haight and nearly added another goal, hitting the post after an end-to-end rush. Late in the second period, Wyatt Kaiser and Brink fought.

After the game, teammates praised the 25-year-old, who signed a six-year, $75 million extension with Chicago this summer before playing a game for the club. Lardis called him a future leader, and Alex Vlasic, Byram's partner on the top defensive pairing, highlighted his skating and confident demeanor. Minnesota dressed an AHL-heavy lineup for the game.