The Chicago Blackhawks aren’t having the best of the time right now. With three consecutive losses, the NHL team is currently at the bottom of the table of the Central Division in the Western Conference. However, it wasn’t the Blackhawks dropping a disappointing game to the Minnesota Wild that had the fans riled up. Instead, it’s the squad’s captain’s antics.
When NHL veteran Mike Foligno‘s son Nick Foligno came to Chicago in 2023, fans were over the moon with the signing. However, so far, it seems like Foligno Jr. is struggling to keep up with his father’s legacy despite sporting the Blackhawks “Captain” armband. And today’s 4-2 loss against the Wild only added to his woes. But while the fans are willing to look past the disheartening scoreline, even they aren’t up for giving the captain hall pass for his on-court behavior.
The Blackhawks captain adds to the team’s misfortune
B/R Open Ice shared the scenes from the United Center via a post on X from January 26. In the accompanying video, the Blackhawks captain can be seen taking a dig at the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov with a funny hand gesture. However, the exhibition cost both Foligno and the Blackhawks heavily. “Nick Foligno turned his two minute penalty into four, picking up an unsportsmanlike conduct after impersonating Kaprizov,” the social media update highlights how Nick’s attempt at being funny backfired in his face.
Nick Foligno turned his two minute penalty into four, picking up an unsportsmanlike conduct after impersonating Kaprizov pic.twitter.com/xS7lY8wiP2
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 27, 2025
Even without his debatable behavior, Foligno didn’t have a meaningful influence on the game tonight. Over 19 shifts, he played for just under 13 minutes without scoring a goal, or even a shot at goal for that matter. Nick finished the match with a -1 rating. By now, it should be concluded that the Blackhawks captain isn’t going to be remembered for being one of the highest goal-scorers in the NHL. Instead, it’s his skills to lead the squad that the Chicago fans revere. But tonight, even that has been put under questioning.
One fan was evidently agitated by how Foligno sought to mock one of his opponents at the game against the Wild. Sharing B/R Open Ice’s post on social media, the fan fumed, “he’s so classless how tf is he captain,” understandably annoyed that the captain lost sight of the goal and instead gave in to petty rivalry against the visitors. Others thought the same.
Fans aren’t amused at all
Amidst recent financial troubles over the three-way NHL deal, Chicago fans are already anxious about the team’s future. Under the circumstances, you’d think the squad captain would take up extra responsibilities to show the way. But it seemed like Nick Foligno was more interested in taking potshots at his opponents. Frustrated over his behavior, one fan commented, “Worst captain in the league,” while others mimicked a similar sentiment. “While amusing and maybe a point that is not the kinda thing a captain should do at all,” reads another comment.
The Blackhawks will hit the road again to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning this Tuesday at the Amalie Arena. One fan believes that could be the perfect opportunity for Coach Sörensen to teach Nick Foligno a lesson. “If i were the coach he’d be suspended next game for letting his team down,” the fan grumbled in anger without hiding behind a veil.
More comments like “Idiot” and “Clown” flew in the comment section, while fans on the Subredit r/hockey were also seen being irked by the Blackhawks captain. “Hawks were sloppy and this didn’t help,” one Redditor complained. How about you? What did you think of Foligno’s display? Tell us in a comment!
The post Outraged NHL Fans Call for Strict Measures Against Blackhawks Captain’s Unnecessary Game Antics: “So Classless” appeared first on EssentiallySports.