It was a thrilling gold medal game as Team Canada defeated Team USA in the men's ice hockey final 3-2 in overtime. The game also had a distinct Blackhawks flavor: Jonathan Toews scored the opening goal for Canada and Duncan Keith was credited with an assist on Canada's second goal, giving them a 2-0 lead. But Team USA came back as Ryan Kesler deflected in a Patrick Kane shot for USA's first goal. Kane was credited with an assist. He'd get another assist on Zach Parise's game-tying goal with less than 25 seconds left in the third period. But it would ultimately be Canada's triumph as Sidney Crosby scored the game-winner 7:40 in to the OT period. Still, Seabrook, Duncan, and Toews will return with gold medals, Kane with a silver, and all four re-teamed and focused on one ultimate goal: the Stanley Cup. The 'Hawks, who will also be rejoined by Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky who played for Team Slovokia, get back in action tomorrow night at the New York Islanders (6 p.m., CSN). more ›

The Bulls didn't have quite enough gas to get by the Pacers last night, falling 100-90 in Indianapolis. It was a close game early, but the Pacers used a 12-3 run in the second quarter to stretch out their lead to seven at the half and never looked back. Derrick Rose had 27 points to lead the Bulls (31-28) while Luol Deng scored 13 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. The Bulls get tonight off before welcoming the Atlanta Hawks to town tomorrow night (7 p.m., WGN). more ›

Four Blackhawks will be battling for gold when Team USA takes on Team Canada in a highly anticipated rematch tomorrow. Patrick Kane scored two goals less than 2:30 apart in Team USA's 6-1 route of Finland. USA scored all six goals in the first 13 minutes of the game before cruising the rest of the way. Meanwhile, all five 'Hawks in the Canada's 3-2 win over Slovokia in the other semifinal were conspicuous by their silence. Marian Hossa, who's had a fantastic tournament, and Tomas Kopecky will try to help Team Slovokia rebound to take the bronze when they face Finland (tonight, 9 p.m., MSNBC) while Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and Brent Seabrook will take the ice with Team Canada tomorrow against Kane and Team USA in a heated battle for gold (Sunday, 2 p.m., NBC). more ›

Team Canada steamrolled Germany 8-2 in yesterday's men's hockey qualifier to advance to the quarterfinals. While none of the three Blackhawks on the team scored any of Canada's eight goals, two did lend a helping hand. Duncan Keith had a pair of assists and Jonathan Toews also was credited with an assist in the blow-out victory. But there's little rest for Canada as they have to bounce right back and play Russia tonight in the quarterfinals (6:30 p.m., CNBC). Meanwhile, Patrick Kane and Team USA get an afternoon affair with Switzerland in their quarterfinal match-up (2 p.m., NBC 5). more ›

• A disturbing update to last week's NIU shooting.
• A Cook County judge rejected a motion by the Chicago Teachers Union to block the closing and consolidation of a pair of local schools.
• Tammy Duckworth has ever-so-politely withdrawn her name from consideration to run for Lt. Governor.

The Bulls didn't stop wheeling and dealing once they shipped off John Salmons. Later in the day on Thursday, they traded away Tyrus Thomas to the Charlotte Bobcats for Flip Murray, Acie Law and a protected, future first-round draft choice. The first year for the pick would be 2012. But Coach Vinny insists the team will continue to focus on this season - with the Bulls tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference - and not on the big free agent market coming up this summer. The team has freed up around $18 million in an attempt to go after some of the big fish this summer, including LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. The Trib's K.C. Johnson takes his best guess at the Bulls' new depth chart. more ›

Naperville native Evan Lysacek won the gold medal in the men's figure skating competition last night at the Winter Olympics. It was the first U.S. gold in the event since Brian Boitano won gold at the Calgary Olympics in 1988. Lysacek entered the night in second place behind Russia's Yevgeny Plushenko but Lysacek skated a near flawless performance to edge Plushenko by just over a point in the final standings. It's the second straight night that the Olympics featured a golden Chicago flavor following Shani Davis' gold medal on Wednesday night. If you missed it, NBC has full video of Evan's performance available here. more ›

While Team USA won't announce their 2010 Winter Olympic men's hockey team until Friday (during the annual Winter Classic), several other countries have already announced their rosters and a slew of Blackhawks will be taking to the ice in Vancouver for a shot at Olympic gold. First, Team Slovokia named Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky to their 2010 squad. And today Team Canada named a trio of Blackhawks - Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook - to their team. more ›

A good movie may gross the big bucks and win the awards, but the Neo-Futurists recognize that a truly bad movie will stay with you for a long, long time. Tomorrow night they open the fifth annual festival of wonderfully awful films, skewered on stage for your entertainment, known as It Came From the Neo-Futurarium. Rachel Claff and Jay Torrence will recreate, as best they can on the cozy Neo stage, Bridget Fonda and Jennifer... more ›

The Chicago Blackhawks return to the United Center ice on Wednesday night versus the Nashville Predators. The National Hockey League took a break so many players could represent their countries in the Winter Olympics. This weekend Sweden earned the Gold, Finland the Silver and the Czech Republic took the Bronze medal while the States come home empty handed. The break was badly needed for a Blackhawks squad that had lost five of their last six... more ›

Just days after Chicagoan Shani Davis claimed a gold medal in the 1000m race, fellow Chicago Olympian Benjamin Agosto and his partner, Tanith Belbin, earned a silver medal in ice dancing. It was the first medal in ice dancing for the United States in 30 years. Last year the pair was just hoping they would be allowed to compete in the Winter Olympics. Belbin, a native of Canada only recently became an American citizen. She... more ›

While the Winter Olympics have been filled with disappointing showings by American medal hopefuls, Chicago-area speed skater Shani Davis lived up to his advance billing by taking the gold in the 1000m long track speed skating event. The 2005 All Around World Champion, he's the favorite to win gold in the 1500 meter and expected to do well in the 5000 meter event. more ›

The business sections of today's dog trainers have some short but sweet tidbits related to Hamburger U: - A large order of McDonald's french fries contain one-third more trans fat (that's the tasty goodness that clogs your arteries) than what is actually listed on McDonald's brochures and website. How did the folks at the Golden Arches find out? By testing their own fries. - Spurred by sales of premium chicken sandwiches and gift cards redemptions,... more ›

With the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics just a few days away we thought it would be fun to see who will represent the Chicagoland area in Torino, Italy. In all, there are nine hometown favorites to keep your eyes on. more ›