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Connor Bedard reveals the real reason why he and Mason McTavish threw jabs on Sunday at the United Center

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Sam Walker
December 1, 2025 (10:29)

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Old friendships can spark fresh fire when Connor Bedard and the Anaheim Ducks clash on a tense night. Their heated exchanges on Sunday at the United Center when the two teams faced off raised the level of competition and drove the Blackhawks crowd into a roar.

Chicago leaned on Bedard again, and his two-goal, four-point performance pushed him to 29 points through 25 games, a strong pace for the twenty-year-old.

The Blackhawks even completed NHL history only witnessed 5 times before against the Ducks

Mason McTavish, now twenty-two and a key Anaheim centerpiece with 23 points, refused to give him space. What followed became the storyline of Friday.

They jawed, they slashed, and they jabbed at each other behind the play, continuing a competitive thread that dates back to their 2022 World Juniors run with Team Canada, according to Bedard. Both teams felt that edge during several scrums.

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Bedard explained the dynamic afterward, offering a long and revealing look at their bond.

«Connor Bedard on his friendship with Mason McTavish: 'We're pretty close, actually. That's who he is, he's someone who always wants to compete. I was roommates with him, I was on the same team with him for a couple years, and everything we do, he's trying to make it a competition. Such a great player, such a good competitor. He's a fun guy to play against. Obviously fun to go at it with him. I'll probably say hi to him right now. But it's fun to play guys like that."

- Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard and Mason McTavish sharpen rivalry

Fans could feel the emotional charge shift when Bedard stared down the Anaheim bench after scoring his empty netter. That moment signaled how personal this battle felt, even for two former roommates.

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As a fan, I loved seeing that spark return to a Chicago group still searching for consistency in a season marked by close losses. Bedard carried the puck with purpose, and his controlled entries repeatedly forced Anaheim into retreat.

The scrums intensified late, then spilled into a final horn exchange that drew loud reactions.

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Chicago now hopes the edge shown by Bedard becomes a weekly feature as the rebuild gains momentum.

Anaheim will surely circle the rematch taking place next Sunday after McTavish delivered his own brand of pushback.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks complete NHL history only witnessed five times ever before Sunday vs. Anaheim Ducks

Patrick Kane's scoring slump deepens for former Chicago Blackhawks forward

Spencer Knight endures worst game-start of his time with the Blackhawks to date vs. the Ducks on Sunday

POLL
DECEMBRE 1 \| 135 ANSWERS Connor Bedard reveals the real reason why he and Mason McTavish threw jabs on Sunday at the United Center Did Connor Bedard and Mason McTavish turn a friendship into a real rivalry?
Yes	98	72.6 %
No	37	27.4 %
List of polls

Connor Bedard reveals the real reason why he and Mason McTavish threw jabs on Sunday at the United Center

Old friendships can spark fresh fire when Connor Bedard and the Anaheim Ducks clash on a tense night. Their heated exchanges on Sunday at the United Center when the two teams faced off raised the level of competition and drove the Blackhawks crowd into a roar.

Connor Bedard and Mason McTavish sharpen rivalry

Did Connor Bedard and Mason McTavish turn a friendship into a real rivalry?