Viktor Stalberg fed Bryan Bickell for the game winner in overtime to hand the Blackhawks a 2-1 win over the Wild in Game One of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series. Marian Hossa tied the game with a power-play tally early in the second period for Chicago, which won the Presidents' Trophy this year. Corey Crawford made 26 saves in the win. Josh Harding was forced into a start in the cage for Minnesota after Niklas Backstrom was injured during warmups. Harding stopped 35 shots in defeat. Cal Clutterbuck gave the Wild a lead less than five minutes into the game. Game Two of this series is Friday.
The Rangers used a six-run sixth inning highlighted by a two-run Adrian Beltre homer to power past White Sox, 10-6. Mitch Moreland was 3-for-3 with an RBI and Elvis Andrus was 2-for-5 with one run knocked in. Ian Kinsler compiled two hits, two runs and two RBI for Texas, which has improved to 17-and-9. Yu Darvish picked up his fifth win, striking out nine and allowing four runs across six innings. Nelson Cruz and Jeff Baker also hit round-trippers. Reliever Matt Lindstrom was tageed with the loss for the White Sox, who are 10-and-15. Dewayne Wise connected for his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, and Adam Dunn hit his sixth.
Game #2 of the series is tonight. The Pre-Game Show begins at 6:30 on Newstalk 1060.
Nick Hundley belted a three-run homer and Yonder Alonso added a two-run shot as the Padres crushed the Cubs 13-7 in the second of four games at Wrigley Field. Carlos Quentin went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored for the Friars, who have won five of their last six. Chase Headley added a solo shot in the victory. Edinson Volquez gave up four runs over five-and-two-thirds innings to improve to 2-and-3. He also plated his first run of the season. Luis Valbuena and Starlin Castro both hit two-run homers for the Cubs, who have lost two-of-three. David DeJesus and Cody Ransom also went deep in the setback. Edwin Jackson was roughed up for eight runs and 11 hits in four-and-two-thirds frames as he fell to 0-and-4.
