CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Jordan scored twice, Hunter S. Thompson stopped 23 shots and the Chicago Style beat the Los Angeles Suns 5-0 on Sunday at Wrigley Field.
Jordan gave Chicago the only goal it needed at 3:53 of the first period, finishing a one-timer after Jeff Bezos and Angela Ruggiero helped create traffic around the crease. The goal stood as the game-winner and sent Chicago toward a comfortable victory in front of 18,226 fans.
The Style broke the game open in the second period with three goals in five minutes. Bobby Hull made it 2-0 at 12:29, scoring unassisted on a slap shot during a rush. Jordan followed at 15:29 with an unassisted wrist shot from the low slot, and Tupac Shakur capped the surge at 17:29 with a backhand from the left circle.
Jeff Bezos added Chicago’s final goal at 3:41 of the third period, converting a one-timer from the left circle off Hull’s assist.
Thompson, named the game’s first star, handled every Los Angeles chance to earn the shutout. Sundar Pichai made 25 saves for the Suns and was named the second star despite taking the loss. Jordan was the third star.
Chicago outshot Los Angeles 30-23 and controlled the best stretch of the game in the middle period. The Style generated nine one-timers and eight shots from the point, while also getting six looks from the low slot and five more from crease scrambles.
Los Angeles had chances but could not solve Thompson. Maurice Richard and Elon Musk each had five shots for the Suns, while Brian Jones added four. The Suns finished with 16 interceptions and seven blocked shots, but their defensive activity was not enough to offset Chicago’s pressure.
The game turned physical early. Angela James and Ruggiero fought at 8:17 of the first period, with each receiving a five-minute major. One minute later, Phil Esposito was called for tripping, giving Los Angeles a chance to respond, but the Suns failed to convert.
James was involved in another fight at 12:05 of the second, this time with Hull. James finished with 10 penalty minutes, four interceptions, two blocks and one shot.
Chicago played through those interruptions and continued to build momentum. The Style’s second-period run came after several defensive stops and transition chances, and the goals by Hull, Jordan and Shakur left Los Angeles chasing the game.
Bezos had one of Chicago’s most complete performances, finishing with a goal, an assist, three blocks and three interceptions. Hull added a goal, an assist and two interceptions. Ted Williams blocked two shots and had two interceptions, while Esposito had three interceptions despite his minor penalty.
Ruggiero assisted on Jordan’s opening goal and later served a fighting major. Shakur finished with five shots, matching Hull for second on the team behind Jordan’s seven.
Los Angeles’ best individual defensive work came from James, who repeatedly disrupted Chicago’s attack. Jaromir Jagr blocked two shots and had two interceptions, while Elon Musk had three interceptions. But the Suns were shut out despite putting six shots on goal from the low slot and five from the point.
Chicago also stayed disciplined enough on special teams. Neither side scored on the power play, and the penalty minutes were nearly even, with Los Angeles taking 10 and Chicago 12.
The Style led 1-0 after one period, 4-0 after two and added one more in the third. Chicago’s decisive middle-period burst was the difference, turning a tight game into a runaway before the Suns could find any offensive rhythm.
Chicago improved behind a balanced attack, a clean night from Thompson and a second period that tilted the game completely. Los Angeles left Wrigley Field still searching for its first goal of the afternoon.