>>Blues Ride Three-Goal Third Past Avalanche
(Denver, CO) — Patrik Berglund scored his second goal of the game to cap a three-goal third period as the Blues beat the Avalanche 4-2 at Colorado. Magnus Paajarvi and Jaden Schwartz also scored for the Blues, who hold the second wild card in the West with 83 points. They host the Canucks tomorrow.
>>Canucks Clip Blackhawks In OT
(Chicago, IL) — Daniel Sedin scored in overtime to give the Canucks a 5-4 win over the Blackhawks at the United Center. Chicago erased a 4-1 deficit with three straight goals in the third period. Marian Hossa and Richard Panik had the other goals for Chicago, which had won five straight. The ‘Hawks host the Stars tomorrow night.
>>Team USA Edges Japan To Advance To WBC Title Game
(Los Angeles, CA) — Team USA is moving on to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in tournament history. The U.S. advanced with a 2-1 win over Japan last night at Dodger Stadium. The Americans clash with Puerto Rico in the title game tonight in Los Angeles.
>>Illinois At UCF Tonight In NIT Quarterfinals
(Orlando, FL) — Illinois is in Orlando tonight to take on Central Florida in an NIT quarterfinal matchup at CFE Arena. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. The second-seeded Fighting Illini have beaten Valparaiso and Boise State in the first two rounds. The fourth-seeded Knights have wins over Colorado and Illinois State.
>>Former Bulls GM Jerry Krause Dies
(Chicago, IL) — The architect of the Bulls’ dynasty has died. Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause passed away at the age of 77 yesterday. The Chicago-native teamed Michael Jordan with Scottie Pippen and head coach Phil Jackson to win six NBA championships. He retired from the Bulls in 2003.
>>Raptors Storm By Bulls In OT
(Toronto, Ontario) — The Raptors overcame a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter and pulled out a 122-120 overtime win over the Bulls. Toronto had lost its last 11 meetings with Chicago dating back to December 2013. Toronto’s Serge Ibaka and Chicago’s Robin Lopez were ejected following a scuffle in the third quarter.
>>Bulls’ Lopez, Raptors’ Ibaka Ejected After Scuffle
(Toronto, Ontario) — Fines and suspensions are likely coming after a skirmish broke out between the Bulls and Raptors in Toronto. It happened with just under four minutes left in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game when Raptors center Serge Ibaka and Bulls big man Robin Lopez got into an altercation. Both players were ejected.
>>Cactus League Roundup
(Undated) — In Cactus League play yesterday, the White Sox suffered a 4-3 loss to the Rangers. James Shields struck out six over six shutout innings in a no-decision. The Sox host the A’s today. Meanwhile, the Cubs had yesterday off. They face the Reds this evening.
>>White Sox Give Anderson Six-Year Deal
(Glendale, AZ) — The White Sox are locking up young shortstop Tim Anderson. Multiple outlets report the Sox have signed Anderson to a six-year, 25-million-dollar extension. It’s the richest deal in baseball history for a player with less than one season of service. The 23-year-old hit .283 with nine home runs and 30 RBI in 99 games last year.
>>Penguins Clinch Playoff Spot
(Buffalo, NY) — The defending Stanley Cup champions are going back to the playoffs. The Penguins clinched a spot in the postseason with a 3-1 win over the Sabres last night. Pittsburgh is heading to the playoffs for the 11th straight season.
>>Panthers’ Newton To Have Shoulder Surgery
(Charlotte, NC) — Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is set to go under the knife. The signal-caller needs surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. The 27-year-old Newton is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in July.