Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka on Dec 17, 2008 4:20PM

Blackhawks Drill Oilers
Nikolai Khabibulin turned in a fine performance for the Blackhawks, but they probably could have won with a cinder block in net as they outscored the Edmonton Oilers 9-2. Troy Brouwer had two goals for the 'Hawks, while Patrick Kane, Colin Fraser, Brian Campbell, Kris Versteed, Ben Eager, Duncan Keith and Craig Adams had one apiece. This barrage came against an Oiler's team that has been hot of late, winning four of its last five, and who has handed the Blackhawks five consecutive losses in Edmonton. Chicago hopes to ride the hot hand into Calgary, where they face the Flames on Friday night.

Bulls Bested by Bobcats
The Bulls couldn't shake the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night, losing 110-101 in overtime. Chicago looked to be in line for the victory, as Ben Gordon laid one up to give the Bulls a three-point lead with 35 seconds to play. On the next possession, however, the Bobcats' D.J. Augustin earned a Daytime Emmy nomination when he flopped on a shot from behind the arc to draw three freebies. Augustin coolly sank them all to knot it up, and Derrick Rose's last-second bid for the win was rejected by Emeka Okafor. In the extra period the Bulls fouled frequently and struggled to find their stroke, only mustering seven points in the bonus five minutes. Ben Gordon led the Bulls in scoring with 25 points, and Tyrus Thomas had a strong showing with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Cubs Grab Gathright
The Cubs inked a deal with former Kansas City Royal Joey Gathright yesterday. The contract is good for one season and $800,000. While Gathright is a southpaw, he's not the thunderous, left-handed bat the Cubs have been searching for. Gathright does bring considerable speed, though, and should give the North Siders a weapon on the basepaths. The Cubs are still expected to make a play for a more powerful lefty to plug into the middle of the order.