Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING TAKEOUT NEWS: 2-22-23.
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Check out my new Make Glove not W.A.R. column on Pulltab, exploring the five big MLB rule changes this seasonand how they could affect the Twins.
Tourney season is here, the MSHSL girls’ hockey tournament begins today at The X with Class A games.
Wild Hangin’ Tough, Beats Kings 2-1
A seven-game homestand that could have broken the Wild, now seems to have straightened them out. Just 1-2-1 after four games, Minnesota won three in a row to close it out, including last night’s 2-1 win over Kevin Fiala’s LA Kings.
Yes, Ryan Hartman scored two goals - atoning for having Adam Beckman’s first career goal called back because of his own offsides - but Filip Gustavsson was the story to me. No one inside the organization is going to call the Gus Bus their No. 1 goalie, but make no mistake, he is. Gus is 4-0-1 with a 1.53 GAA and an unthinkable .948 save pct. in his last five games. He’s just so calm in the net. He’s seemingly never out of position. Marc-Andre Fleury gave up a half dozen questionable goals to begin that homestand, and I can’t tell you the last time Gustavsson has. Gus is just 24 and the sky’s the limit.
So, the Wild is suddenly four points into a playoff position. The trade deadline is a week from Friday. I don’t think you’ll see this team trading for, say, Patrick Kane, but I also don’t think you’ll see them sell much (Jordan Greenway, perhaps?)
By the way, how about Kevin Fiala. The Wild managed to keep him out of the net last night. But he’s a threat every time he gets the puck. He’s got eight three-point games this season.
Now, the Wild plays Columbus, one of the league’s worst teams, Thursday and Sunday with a trip to Toronto in between.
Loons Open Play Saturday, Where’s Reynoso?
The curious case of Emmanuel Reynoso continues, as the Loons open MLS play Saturday at FC Dallas Reynoso was arrested for allegedly hitting a teenager in his home country in 2021. Now, he’s MIA and suspended without pay while dealing with “personal matters” back home.
Head Coach Adrian Heath spoke about Reynoso yesterday, telling media that he’s talked to family members, but not Reynoso directly. Teams in other countries are reportedly interested in Reynoso, who is under contract with the United through 2026.
Remember, you’ll need Apple TV to see MLS games in 2023.
Twins Sign Solano for IF Depth
The Twins signed veteran infielder Donovan Solano yesterday. It’s a major league contract for Solano, who will provide depth across the infield. It’s kind of a curious move with Royce Lewis back mid-summer and Kyle Farmer in the fold.
Gopher BB
The Gopher men look to avoid an 11th straight loss when they play in Maryland tonight. The women play at Michigan State.
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