The Morning After: 'Hawks Cruise, Bulls Lose

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 7, 2010 3:00PM

Blackhawks Outshine Stars
The Blackhawks cruised to a 5-2 victory over Dallas and with the victory set a franchise record for most wins in a season (50) and tied the team record for most points in a season (107). Marian Hossa scored in the opening minute of the first period and Colin Fraser scored in the last minute of the first to give the 'Hawks a 2-0 lead. Jonathan Toews extended the lead to 3-0 with a short-handed goal in the second. Fraser scored again early in the third followed by Patrick Kane's goal at the halfway point. Antti Niemi was sharp in goal, stopping 26 of the 28 shots he faced. The 'Hawks still trail San Jose for first place in the Western Conference by two points with three games to play over the next five days. If the playoffs started today, the 'Hawks' opponent would be...the Red Wings. The 'Hawks take the ice again tonight against St. Louis (7:30 p.m., CSN).

Bulls Fall To Bucks
The Bulls built a double-digit first quarter lead only to blow it in a horrendous second quarter and ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 79-74. Adding insult to injury, a Toronto loss earlier in the night meant the Bulls could have pulled into a tie with the Raptors for the final playoff spot had they won. Alas. The Bulls used a 14-2 run to close out the first quarter and take a 13-point lead but the Bucks, led by former Bull John Salmons, went on a 20-2 run to end the second and take a lead into halftime. Chicago hung tough, fighting back and even taking the lead mid-way through the fourth, but the Bucks held off the charge and escaped with a win and a secured playoff spot, unlike the Bulls. Luol Deng led Chicago with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Derrick Rose added 12. The Bulls now trail Toronto by a full game in the "Lose to LeBron" sweepstakes with five games left. Speaking of LeBron, the Bulls face him next when the Cavs visit tomorrow night (7 p.m., TNT).