The Morning After: Blackhawks, Bulls Back In The Win Column
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 23, 2010 3:00PM
Blackhawks Even Up With Predators
It's a whole new series for the Blackhawks after they downed Nashville 3-0 in Game Four of their quarterfinal series. Now even at 2-2, it's essentially a best-of-three series and the 'Hawks get back home ice advantage. A Patrick Sharp power-play goal got the 'Hawks on the board halfway through the first. Jonathan Toews followed up in just over halfway done in the second period and Sharp added a second goal later. Meanwhile, the 'Hawks held the Predators in check, particularly on power plays on which Nashville went 0-for-5. And Antti Niemi stopped 33 shots to earn his second shutout of the post-season. The 'Hawks bring the series back home for Game Five on Saturday afternoon (2:00 p.m., NBC).
Bulls Get Home Court Bounce
The Bulls nearly blew the lead but managed to hold on and take Game Three of their quarterfinal series against the Cavs by a 108-106 final. The Bulls jumped out to a nice first quarter lead, spurred on by the home crowd, leading by as many as 16 points in the second and took an 11 point lead into halftime. Leading by 13 in the fourth, though, the Cavs slowly chipped away; what was an eight-point lead with 38 seconds to go shrank to two but the Bulls hit enough free throws in the final seconds to hold on. Derrick Rose had 31 points and Kirk Hinrich scored 27 to lead Chicago. Next up, the Bulls try to even the series on Sunday (2:30 p.m., ABC)
Cubs and Sox, after the jump.
Mets Dispatch Cubs
The Cubs might have mustered 10 hits, but they also left 10 men on base including failing to take advantage of a bases loaded situation in the eight inning and fell to the Mets 5-2. Gorzelanny gave up four runs (only two earned) over 5.2 innings to take the loss (and he's better in the rotation than Zambrano?). It's now back to the Midwest - Milwaukee - where the Cubs open up a weekend series against the Brewers tonight (7:10 p.m., WGN).
Rays Rout Sox
There was no joy in Bridgeport last night as the Sox were routed by the Rays 10-2. Jake Peavy's early season woes continued as he gave up seven runs over 4.1 innings of work while the Sox couldn't produce any offense, peaking with a Mark Teahen solo homer in the second inning. The Sox now welcome Milton & The Mariners for a three-game weekend set (7:10 p.m., CSN).