Morning Box Score: Blackhawks Lose in Vancouver; Illinois Shocks Michigan St.
By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 1, 2012 2:30PM
The Blackhawks got back to business after the NHL All-Star Break, and business wasn't good before the break. Both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp were reactivated for last night's game against the Canucks. Toews assisted on Viktor Stalberg's third period goal, but it was another Stalberg play that stood out as the momentum shifter. Stalberg was slashed on a breakaway earlier in the game that should have resulted in a penalty shot. Canucks goalie Cory Schneider, starting for Roberto Luongo, won his fourth straight game and Daniel Sedin's goal 3:37 in overtime was the game winner. Jamal Mayers scored for the Blackhawks, who lost their third straight.
Illinois 42, Michigan State 41
Here was a game that reinforces every negative cliche about Big Ten basketball. Niether the Illini nor the Spartans shot well—Illinois shot 32.6 percent from the field to Michigan State's 24.1 percent—but it still goes down as an upset win for Illinois. Brandon Paul's (18 points) two free throws with 45 seconds left gave Illinois the lead for good. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Illinois and prevented the Spartans from moving into first place in the Big Ten.