The Morning After: Wings Clip 'Hawks

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Mar 8, 2010 4:20PM

Red Wings Down Blackhawks
The Blackhawks got out to a 2-0 lead over main rival the Detroit Red Wings but a huge five-goal second period from the Wings proved enough to down the 'Hawks by a 5-4 final. First period goals from Duncan Keith and Andrew Ladd gave the 'Hawks an early 2-0 lead. But it all fell apart in the second when Detroit lit Chicago - and Cristobal Huet - up with four goals in the first 10:30 of the period. Huet was pulled in favor of Antti Niemi, who gave up the fifth Detroit goal late in the second. The 'Hawks tried to fight back as Ladd added two more goals in the second - his first hat trick - but it wasn't enough as Detroit held on for the win. The loss means the 'Hawks relinquish first place in the Western Conference to San Jose; they'll try to bounce back Wednesday against the L.A. Kings (7:30 p.m., CSN).

College Basketball

• Illinois finished their regular season losing their third straight game, falling to Wisconsin 72-57. Mike Tisdale scored 16 and Bill Cole scored 14. Next up for the Illini? Another match-up against the Badgers in the quarterfinal round of the Big 10 tournament on Friday (approx. 2:30 p.m., ESPN).
• NIU's season came to a close yesterday as they fell to Eastern Michigan 65-59 in the first round of the MAC tournament. Xavier Silas scored 20 points to lead NIU, who finish the season with a 10-20 overall record.

Spring Training
Rain washed out the Cubs-Sox rematch as well as the Cubs' split-squad match-up against the Dodgers.