Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING TAKEOUT NEWS: 3-3-23.
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My 2021 Trade Deadline Bingo Card still rings true. Happy NHL Trade Deadline Day!
Did you know you can ship 5-8 Club jucy lucys anywhere in the U.S.? Happy 70th birthday, Dad.
Kaprizov Leads Wild to Another One-Goal Win
Kirill Kaprizov was born into the wrong generation of NHL stars. He may never win an MVP trophy with a guy named Connor McDavid around. But he’s in the conversation, and quite frankly, may be the most “valuable” player to his team.
Kaprizov scored twice - that’s five straight Wild goals - in the Wild’s 2-1 win at Vancouver late last night. He just missed an empty net for his second straight hat trick. He’s so poised and in control, like when he directed his own rebound into the net for the game-winner.
So what does the Wild do today? My gut says not much. They just can’t afford the term left of a guy like Minnesotan Brock Boeser - who scored against his hometown team last night. Maybe some depth move, but I expect to hear Billy Guerin early this afternoon say we’re “standing pat.”
The Wild is suddenly in a firm grasp of a playoff spot - they’re nine points from Calgary which is on the outside looking in. But they’re only a point behind Dallas for first. They’re three and four clear of Colorado and Winnipeg, and let’s be honest, the Wild could use home ice in a series against either of those teams.
The Western Canada swing continues Saturday in Calgary, when the teams open a home-and-home series, with Minnesota having a chance to bury the Flames’ playoff chances.
Whalen Out After Five Years; Men Shock Rutgers
Which was more surprising yesterday, Gopher fans? Lindsay Whalen “stepping down” as women’s head coach, or the men pulling out their second Big 10 win of the year, a last-second win over Rutgers?
It was one-and-done for Whalen’s team in the Big 10 Tournament at Target Center. But it was five-and-done for Whalen herself, who in a “mutual decision” after five years at the helm of the college she once played for. Whalen took some heat for not attending the press conference, but she tweeted later yesterday she was overcome with emotion and will speak at a later date. She’ll stay on as a special assistant to AD Mark Coyle for the next two years. Whalen’s teams had a 71-76 record overall in her five seasons, and Minnesota was 11-19 this year and 4-14 in the Big 10. I don’t know who the next coach will be, but it’ll have to be someone with head coaching experience. They’ll inherit a couple decent freshman classes - although with the transfer portal, you never know who may leave, especially with a new coach.
In the Big 10 tourney, the Gophers fell behind big early - could not buy a bucket, and turned the ball over way too much. The Gophers eventually caught fire against Penn State, but the Nittany Lions won 72-67. Minnesota did tie it late.
The Gopher? They were staring a 13th straight loss straight on, trailing by 10 with 1:15 left. But Jamison Battle hit a trio of 3-pointers, including this one at the buzzer - barely. There was a LENGTHY review, but the ball clearly left Battle’s hand in time. Minnesota hosts Wisconsin on Sunday night. The Big 10 Tournament is next week in Chicago. It’s in Minneapolis in 2024.
Gopher Women’s Hockey Hosts Final Faceoff
It’s about the Women’s WCHA Final Faceoff this weekend. The Gophers will host the best four-team tournament of the season, save for the Frozen Four, today and tomorrow at Ridder Arena.
Top seeded Ohio State plays fourth-seeded UMD at 1. The Buckeyes are no doubt the favorite to win everything this year, however the Bulldogs have the ability to play with anyone. They beat the Gophers in the Final Faceoff a couple seasons ago.
The Gophers play the 5 p.m. game against Wisconsin. The Badgers won a pair of games - one in OT - in Minneapolis last month.
Why is this series so important when all four teams are going to the NCAA Tournament anyways? The top four seeds in the 11-team NCAA Tournament will receive byes in the first round. But the top three seeds also get a bye in the first round. So a No. 4 seed would have to play the No. 5 seed in round 1, and therefore play an extra game to win the NCAA title.
Minnesota’s Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle were named to the final 10 for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the best player in the country. Heise won the honor in 2022.
The men have a bye in the first round of the B10 Tourney and will host the lowest remaining seed next Saturday in a one-game semifinal. They’ll be rooting for some long three-game series this weekend.
Tommie BB Heads into Summit League Tourney after Banner Season
From a couple underperforming teams to an overperforming one. After a 10-20 season in their first as Division I, the St. Thomas Tommies are the fifth seed in this weekend’s Summit League Tournament. St. Thomas plays Western Illinois on Sunday. The Tommies are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament until 2025-26 so even if they win the league tourney they won’t advance.
Wolves at Lakers Tonight
Which version of the Wolves will show up tonight in LA against the LeBron James-less Lakers? LA is just a game and a half behind Minnesota in the Western Conference standings.
Twins’ Miranda won’t play in WBC
Jose Miranda will miss the upcoming World Baseball Championships with a sore shoulder.
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