Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — Wild Wickedly Sloppy on Broadway (1-11-22).
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Wild Wickedly Sloppy on Broadway as Winless Streak Hits Three
The Wild was a recipient of a fortuitous point last night at Madison Square Garden. Despite securing a two-goal lead in a bad first period, Minnesota eventually fell 4-3 in a shootout. The Wild is 0-1-2 in its last three, the team’s longest winless streak in nearly two months.
Mats Zuccarello, the nine-year Ranger, called the Wild’s game “horrendous” through two periods. They coughed up pucks everywhere. Tried to outskill a VERY skilled team. And while they were better in the third period to help get the point, yet another careless penalty cost them in OT. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a too many men on the ice penalty taken in a 3-on-3 overtime, but the Wild did that, as Freddie Gaudreau stopped heading to the bench on a line change when Zuccarello jumped on. How dominant were the Rangers on that 4-on-3 power play? Marc-Andre Fleury, back from his two day personal absence, made six saves in those two minutes.
Said Deano after the game: “In the end we have to clean up the turnovers that allow teams to come back.”
If there was a list of names of people you wouldn’t expect to see assist on a Kirill Kaprizov goal…Ryan Reaves would be just ahead of Ryan Stanzel. Well, Reavo fed Sam Steele (two assists) who got the puck to Kaprizov for his 24th goal of the season.
Zuccarello had a goal against his former team - he scored in the shootout too.
The Wild visits Zach Parise and sCal Clutterbuck’s New York Islanders on Thursday.
Vikings May Get Bradbury Back
One of the reasons I wanted to work the Dec. 24 Vikings/Giants game so badly was I knew there was a strong possibility they’d play each other in the playoffs. And the text came through from Giants radio “you’re in”, early Monday, so I’ll again be alongside Bob Papa and Carl Banks doing stats. What does that entail? A lot of ripped up notecards. I’m also somewhat of a spotter, as the visitors radio booth is actually in the corner of the endzone. Even with binoculars it can be hard to see what yard line they’re at.
There’s increasing optimism that center Garrett Bradbury could return Sunday. That would be a monumental help, obviously, considering Kirk Cousins has spent the last two weeks taking snaps from a guy who’s never played center at any level.
The Giants are keeping it simple this week. No one believed they’d be here. “What wins in week one wins in the playoffs,” said coach Brian Daboll, trying to remind his team it’s the same game they’ve played 17 times this year.
I’ve been to one NFL playoff game - the 2008 NFC Championship Game where the Giants ended Brett Favre’s Packer career on a Lawrence Tynes field goal. As cold as I’ve ever been in my life, I’d have probably lost a toe had that kick gone wide.
We All Need to Walk Away from Aaron Rodgers
Speaking of Packer diva quarterbacks…
It’s time for us all, not just the Packers, to walk away from Aaron Rodgers. It’s not good for our health.
Rodgers craves our attention. We crave his drama. Someone needs to end this thing.
Said Rodgers after his ghost-of-himself performance at Lambeau on Sunday as the Packers missed the playoffs.
Now, who amongst us humans of a certain age hasn’t been introspective about the future. Simply put, his teammates deserve more than another summer of hemming and hawing, skipping mandatory mini camps and making the rounds on non sports talk radio
If he needs time, fine, give him some time. But let’s keep his yoga retreats off SportsCenter.
Wolves in Motown Tonight
The Wolves are in Detroit tonight looking to match a season high with their fifth straight win.
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