CHICAGO SPORTS NEWS FLASH: Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville Fined $25K for Rude Gesture

Although Joel Quenneville apologized about the gesture he made in the Western Conference Playoffs (Quarterfinal) Game 1 loss to the Blues, he still got fined by the NHL. The National Hockey League fined Joel Quenneville on Saturday (today) $25,000 for a gesture deemed inappropriate.

This gesture made by Quenneville in Game 1 occurred during the second overtime of the St. Louis triple overtime, 4-3 win. He appeared to be unhappy about a call the officials made during the second overtime. The call, going against the Blackhawks, was very frustrating for Quenneville because it would've given his 'Hawks squad a 5-on-3 advantage for 36 seconds.

For more information on this Quenneville topic, click here.

The Blackhawks play Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Playoffs in St. Louis today (Saturday) at 3:00 P.M. ET on NBC. For a preview of Game 2 (originally written by the Associated Press and now also on ESPN), click here. Another preview for Game 2 written by ESPN Chicago's Scott Powers can be found by clicking here.

For highlights and a recap of Game 1, click here.

CHICAGO BULLS NEWS:

Chicago Bulls win an NBA Draft Tiebreaker 

The Chicago Bulls won a draft tiebreaker over the Toronto Raptors over who will be awarded with the 19th pick in the NBA draft. Both teams sported a 48-34 regular season record. However, the 3 seed for this year's NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs went to the Raptors; the Bulls got the 4 seed because the Raptors won a tiebreaker over Chicago to get the 3 seed.

Fast forward to today, and this time, the Bulls win the tiebreaker allowing John Paxson and Gar Forman to pick the 19th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. The Bulls also will pick 16th in the draft. That pick was acquired by the Bulls in a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats. 

The 2014 Draft Class is one of the deeper ones, and having two top-20 selections (if the Bulls decide to keep them) will be huge for the Windy City's basketball future. 

For more information on this draft tiebreaker topic, click here.

The Chicago Bulls will take on the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Game 1 will be played in Chicago tomorrow (Sunday, April 20) at 7:00 PM ET on TNT. 

For information on the Bulls / Wizards 1st Round playoff matchup, click here.

Joakim Noah (Bereavement) Misses Practice 

Click here for information on this topic.

CHICAGO CUBS NEWS:

Reds Add to Cubs Skid, Beating Chicago 4-1 at Wrigley

The Chicago Cubs (4-11) continued their recent losing ways on Friday (yesterday, April 18) against the Cincinnati Reds, dropping a 4-1 game. The Reds have now won 16 of their last 17 games at Wrigley Field (dating back to 2012). The Cubs' recent hitting struggles are the main reason for the 5 game slide. The Cubs have scored just 1 run in their past 3 games. (They were shutout against the Yankees in a double-header, 3-0; 2-0, and they only managed 1 run in their 4-1 loss against the Reds).

For more information, highlights, and a recap of this game, click here.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NEWS:

Martin Perez Smokes the White Sox, Recording His First Career Complete Game Shutout en route to a 12-0 Rangers Victory

The White Sox mustered up 3 hits against young Texas Rangers pitcher Martin Perez. The Rangers mustered up 12 runs against the South Siders. 1 run would've been enough for Texas, as Perez was masterful. He struck out 8 Sox, walking only one. Perez threw 109 pitches. 70 of them were strikes.

For more information, highlights, and a recap of this game, click here.

CHICAGO BEARS NEWS:

Bears attend Florida DT's private Pro Day on Thursday (April 17)

For information, click here.