‘Sandpaperness’ Bolland on duty to raise Hawks’ game

CHICAGO | Almost to a man, the Blackhawks were at a loss for words Friday on how to raise their game above the defensively-stifling level of Game 1 against the Detroit Red Wings.

Hawks’ Oduya, Kruger clip Wings in 3rd

CHICAGO | Nine o’clock lightning finally sparked the United Center late Wednesday to brighten up a scrum of an opener of the Western Conference semifinals.

Emotion vies with skill as Chicago Blackhawks duel archrival Detroit Red Wings in Stanley Cup Playoffs

CHICAGO | It hasn’t been as much a rivalry as a drum pounding.

Blackhawks try to stay sharp during playoff break

CHICAGO | Practice was long over when Joel Quenneville was stopped by two young boys waiting to get on the ice. They asked if he would sign their sticks, and the former NHL defenseman happily obliged.

Detroit men fall in semifinals of Horizon League Tournament

VALPARAISO | In a battle of the Horizon League's Coach of the Year against the Player of the Year, Wright State and coach Billy Donlon won out.

FAVRE DRIVER

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) celebrates a 23-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver (80) in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won, 16-13. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

PACKERS LIONS

Green Bay's Donald Driver with a Lambeau Leap after a 23-yard touchdown catch in the 3rd quarter. The Green Bay Packers hosted the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field Sunday, December 12, 2004. WSJ/Steve Apps. (PUBLISHED 12/13/04)

PACKERS LIONS

Green Bay's Donald Driver after catching a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre in the 3rd quarter. The Green Bay Packers hosted the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field Sunday, December 12, 2004. WSJ/Steve Apps.

PACKERS LIONS

Green Bay's Donald Driver runs past Detroit's Barrett Green on a 38-yard catch and run in the 2nd quarter. Green Bay Packers hosted the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in Green Bay Sunday November 10, 2002. WSJ/Steve Apps.

Faith in Music: 'Too Hot to Handel' heats up this weekend at Chicago Auditorium Theatre

Even for return audiences who make Chicago Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University an annual destination for "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" concert event, change is part of this weekend's "hot ticket" musical celebration.

Luck has youthful pass-catchers for Colts

INDIANAPOLIS | Andrew Luck's dynamic rookie season is even more impressive when considering that most of the people he's throwing to are new to the NFL, too.

NFL INSIDER: Bears in do-or-die territory

It's the time of year when the men are separated from the boys in the NFL.

As Great Lakes plummet, towns try to save harbors

ONEKAMA, Mich. (AP) — For more than a century, easy access to Lake Michigan has made Onekama a popular place for summer visitors and a refuge for boaters fleeing dangerous storms. Now the community itself needs a rescue, from slumping lake levels that threaten its precious link to open water.

T.Y. Hilton making big impact for Colts

INDIANAPOLIS | As the NFL game slows down for him, T.Y. Hilton is playing faster. As opponents pay more attention to Reggie Wayne, he is emerging as a key contributor. And as the smallest player on the Colts' roster, Hilton is making a huge impact.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

Cowboys heading into bye and brutal stretch

IRVING, Texas | The Dallas Cowboys certainly picked a bad time for an awful game, one that will stick with them for an extended period.

Sox save best for last vs. Tigers, lead by 3

CHICAGO | The Sox have been sliced and diced, beaten and bludgeoned, whipped and ripped by the Detroit Tigers for 2 ½ seasons.

Marshall delivers in Bears debut

LAKE FOREST | Brandon Marshall insisted it's a new day. The way he connected with Jay Cutler, it sure seemed like old times.

Sox feet trip them up, fail to boost lead on reeling Tigers

CHICAGO | Throughout a cool Sunday afternoon, the White Sox tried to get a leg up on the spoiler Kansas City Royals.

Ford unveils 15 fresh models for European market

MILAN | Ford Motor Co. last week unveiled 15 new or restyled vehicles for the European market that it will launch over five years to revive slumping sales.