Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING TAKEOUT NEWS (1-4-23).
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Bills/Bengals Won’t be Played This Week after Hamlin Cardiac Arrest
The NFL announced yesterday that the Bills and Bengals won’t play the rest of Monday’s game “this week” as the focus turns to Damar Hamlin’s recovery. Hamlin is still in intensive care and in critical condition. His uncle told NFL Network last night that he’s on a ventilator but his lungs are functioning at 50% after being entirely dependent upon oxygen before.
The game is secondary - clearly - but this was a game that had major implications atop the AFC. This isn’t like hockey or basketball where you can just slide a makeup game in on a random Tuesday. The educated guess is the game won’t be made up and the NFC would go to winning percentage over record to get the top three teams in the AFC.
The Bills are scheduled to host New England this weekend.
Gopher Hoops Falls in Madison
If the Gopher men play like they did last night in Wisconsin, they’ll be competitive in most Big 10 games this year. The problem is, Wisconsin is a darn good team, and the No. 14 Badgers outlasted the Gophers 63-60 as Minnesota turned the ball over on its final possession with a chance to tie.
The Gophers fought like crazy. They trailed at one point by 15 in the second half. They rattled off an 11-0 run in the second half to get within one with eight minutes left, despite three straight possessions with turnovers.
Ta’lon Cooper led the way for the Gophers with 16 points but lost the ball in the waning seconds with a chance to tie. Minnesota’s best player, Jamison Battle, scored 13 points but only shot 5-for-15 while playing the entire game.
If the Gophers’ compete level is like this the rest of the Big 10 season, they’ll be okay. They may not win a lot of games, but they won’t be run out of the gym either.
Vikings Without O’Neill in Chicago
Kevin O’Connell called right tackle Brian O’Neill’s calf injury “significant”, meaning the Vikings will be without their offensive line mainstay in Chicago on Sunday. O’Neill was placed on injured reserve, meaning he likely wouldn’t play until a Super Bowl appearance. That means 40 percent of the starting OL will be comprised by backups.
Center Garrett Bradbury isn’t yet on IR - the Vikings are holding out hope - but backup Austin Schlossman will miss the rest of the season. Minnesota signed veteran backup center Greg Mancz so they actually have one on the roster.
Aurora GK Sarah Fuller Retires
Sarah Fuller, who famously kicked for the Purdue football team before joining the Minnesota Aurora for its inaugural season, announced her retirement from soccer yesterday.
Fuller played in 13 of the Aurora’s 15 games en route to the league championship game. She said she’s “excited to start a new chapter in my life.”
Tonight
Wild hosts the Lightning at 8:30 - thanks, TNT for helping perpetuate the stereotype to the East Coast that Minnesota is in Western Canada. Wolves host Portland. U.S./Canada at 6 on NHL Network in World Juniors Semifinal.
Photo of the Day
Legend Alex Ovechkin lit up the Montreal Canadiens then took a picture with all the moms (via twitter.com/habsfantv_).
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