The Morning After: Blackhawks Take Commanding Lead
By Marcus Gilmer in News on May 22, 2010 3:30PM
The Chicago Blackhawks now have a commanding 3-0 lead over the San Jose Sharks in their Western Conference finals series after coming away with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory last night at the United Center. After a scoreless first period, the Sharks drew first blood on a power play goal early in the second period. But just moments later, Patrick Sharp answered with a power play goal of his own to tie the game up at 1-1. The game was tied 1-1 going into the second half of the third period when Dave Bolland put the 'Hawks up 2-1, scoring on a break-away. But San Jose would answer minutes later, tying the game at 2-2, which is how the game was when the clock hit zero, sending it to overtime. And at the 12:24 mark of overtime, Dustin Byfuglien netted the dramatic game-winner.
Said team captain Jonathan Toews afterward, "Bolland made a great play at the end and Buff was in the right spot. He seems to find the open space lately. That's why he's scoring goals. He's going to the tough areas." It was Byfuglien's seventh goal of the playoffs, but his first at home. With a pair of assists, Toews set a new team record for consecutive playoff games with a point (12), breaking Stan Mikita's old record. The Blackhawks now have a chance to earn their first Stanley Cup Finals trip since 1992 when they go for the sweep of San Jose tomorrow afternoon at the United Center (2 p.m., NBC).
The Cubs & Sox, after the jump.
Sox Shutout Marlins
Mark Buehrle threw eight shutout innings and the Sox bats came alive as they sprinted past the Marlins 8-0 last night. Alexi Ramirez had a big night at the plate, bookending the Sox scoring with a two-RBI double in the second and then belting a three-run homer in the sixth. In between, the Sox also got RBIs from Mark Kotsay (solo homer), Paul Konerko, and Mark Teahen. Buehrle struck out three and gave up only three hits in a sterling outing. Ozzie was even happier with the offensive output: "That's something you have to think about. In the past, we scored early and we shut it down. Today, we scored early and we kept pushing. We had people on base, we had people in action and that made it a little easier." The Sox try to keep the momentum rolling when Gavin Floyd takes to the mound this afternoon (1:05 p.m., CSN).
Cubs Lose A Close One In Texas
The Cubs got a good outing from Ted Lilly but, in a theme familiar to Cubs fans the world over, couldn't muster the offense needed to support the effort, falling to the Rangers 2-1. Geovany Soto gave the Cubs an early 1-0 lead when he brought home Mike Fontenot in the second (grounding into a double play). But in spite of Lilly's performance - 6.2 IP, 4 K, 2 ER - fielding miscues doomed the Cubs. A pair of throwing errors on one play put the tying run on third and the Rangers knocked in the go-ahead run later in the inning. Meanwhile, the Cubs were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine men on base. Lou put it simply after the game: "It's time somebody just gets a big hit around here; it really is." It was also the Cubs 24th game (out of 43) decided by two or fewer runs. (6:10 p.m., FOX)