Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 14, 2009 4:40PM

'Hawks Zap Lightning
Antti Niemi recorded his third shutout in seven games in net as the Blackhawks rolled past the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0. Patrick Kane got the first goal early in the first period while Ben Eager and Marian Hossa added goals in the second. Jonathan Toews scored his ninth goal of the season early in the third to put the game out of reach. Overall, Niemi had 18 saves on the night. Not long after his goal in the first, the 'Hawks lost Kane for the night. A collision with Tampa Bay's Matt Smaby sent Kane to the ice hard and he sustained a cut above one of his eyes and had to get it stitched up but it doesn't look like it'll keep Kane out further action. Next up for the 'Hawks is a date with the Blues on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. CSN).

College Basketball

• DePaul breezed past the Flames of UIC by a 77-56 final. Will Walker led the Blue Demons with 18 points and Robo Kreps did the same for UIC.
• Illinois was on cruise control as they had no trouble dispatching Western Michigan 88-53. Dominique Keller led the 8-2 Illini with 15 points off the bench.
• After an 11-day break, Northwestern showed no signs of rust as they rolled past North Carolina A&T 90-65. Drew Crawford exploded for 35 points for the Wildcats and Michael Thompson had a solid 19 point/5 rebounds/8 assists performance.