The Morning After: Blackhawks' Big Win
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 25, 2010 3:30PM
Blackhawks Best Predators In OT
It was a wild and dramatic game at the United Center yesterday, but fans got their money's worth as the 'Hawks prevailed in a 5-4 overtime thriller. Nashville took the early lead, but Andrew Ladd and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored to give the 'Hawks a 2-1 edge at the first intermission. A Tomas Kopecky goal built that lead to 3-1 but then Nashville rattled off three straight goals through the second and into the third period to take a 4-3 lead. Yet just when it looked like the Predators would skate out of the UC with the 3-2 series edge, Patrick Kane found the net on a short-handed goal with less than 14 seconds left to force overtime. And just over four minutes into overtime, Marian Hossa skated out of the penalty box and directly to scoring the game-winner to give the 'Hawks the dramatic win and a 3-2 series edge. When asked after the game where his game-tying goal fit in, Kane said, "Nothing tops it." Annti Niemi had 17 saves on 21 shots faced in goal. The 'Hawks now travel to Nashville Monday night in an attempt to close out the series (8:00 p.m., CSN).
Sox Walk-Off Seattle Again
For the second straight game, the White Sox won in dramatic fashion with a walk-off home run. This time it was Alex Rios delivering the two-run game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Sox the 5-4 win over Seattle. Alexi Ramirez had a two-run double earlier in the game to give the Sox and starter Freddy Garcia an early lead; Garcia threw seven innings, allowing two runs, and struck out five. In the top of the ninth, Bobby Jenks gave up two runs as a Casey Kotchman hit to right was ruled a ground-rule double thanks to fan interference. But in the bottom of the ninth, Paul Konerko homered to bring the Sox to within one run and then after a Carlos Quentin walk, Rios banged home the game-winner. The Sox go for the sweep this afternoon (1:05 p.m., WGN).
Cubs Beat Brewers
Ted Lilly looked just fine in his first start of the season as he paced the Cubs past Milwaukee 5-1. Lilly pitched six scoreless innings and struck out four. Carlos Zambrano made his first appearance out of the bullpen, giving up a run in the eighth. Baby steps, Z, baby steps. Offensively, the Cubs once again put men on base and actually knocked them in. Five different players had RBI, including Zambrano helping his own cause. The Cubs go for the sweep this afternoon (1:10 p.m., CSN).