Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 4-10-23.
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Wolves Fight Selves to Land 8th Spot in Play-in Round
The Wolves fought each other, then fought off the Pelicans to become the eighth seed in this week’s NBA play-in tournament. The Wolves will play the Lakers Tuesday at 9 - the winner becomes the seventh seed (Minnesota could draw Memphis in the first round, again), while the loser hosts either New Orleans or Oklahoma City for the eighth seed on Friday and a right to play top seeded Denver. Minnesota will advance to the playoffs so long as they don’t lose back-to-back games.
How did they get here? It was a doozy.
Rudy Gobert threw a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson in the huddle, before the Wolves sent him home at halftime. Gobert, center of what’s become one of the worst NBA trades in history, allegedly took offense to Anderson’s criticism of his rebounding. But you don’t punch a teammate, obviously.
At least when Jaden McDaniels punched the wall later on, he was the only human involved. The Wolves’ top defender didn’t return with a hand injury. Can’t make it up.
But Minnesota prevailed 113-108 for its third straight win. KAT played the way KAT can, with 30 points, while ANT had 26.
Chris Finch has lost control of this team, but they could certainly get on a run. Expect major changes this off-season, on and off the court.
Gopher Hockey Loses National Championship
Staked to a two-goal lead, the Gophers went into a shell as Quinnipiac forced overtime late, then won the NCAA hockey championship just 10 seconds into the extra session.
The Gophers didn’t even touch the puck in overtime. Nor did they touch the puck much in the third period - the Bobcats won 75% of the faceoffs in that stanza and had the same ratio of shots.
What went wrong? The Gophers were buzzing and just seemed to shut it down. The other team has a say, yes, but Minnesota just got away from its game.
What didn’t help was this laughable double minor called on Logan Cooley in the latter part of the third period. Had the referee called the original penalty - on Quinnipiac - it would have been the Gophers with the power play, not Quinnipiac. NCHC officiating crew in the championship game.
Bob Motzko’s team will look dramatically different next year. Brock Faber has already signed with the Wild, and Matthew Knies with Toronto. Will Logan Cooley eschew his final three years of eligibility to sign with Arizona? A decision will come soon.
Steady Rahm Wins Masters
Brooks Koepka likes to say pressure doesn’t affect him, but it was Jon Rahm who was steady as can be throughout almost two full rounds of golf on Sunday. Rahm pulled away for a four shot win over Koepka and 50-something Phil Mickelson. Keopka began play in the rain delayed third round Sunday four shots ahead of Rahm, who outplayed the four-time major champion for the next seven hours.
Koepka, one of the LIV Tour defectors, has fought through two knee injuries in the past three years.
Faber, Rossi Era Upon the Wild
The Wild beat the Blues 5-3 at home Saturday, but still remain likely a third seed in the playoffs with three games left. Dallas is in second and up by two points with the tiebreaker.
Not only did Minnesota sign defenseman Brock Faber from the Gophers (he is playoff eligible, and certainly would be considered), the Wild finally recalled Marco Rossi from Iowa (along with Nic Petan), with Joel Eriksson Ek out “week to week” after blocking a shot last Thursday. Rossi had a slow start to the season in Minnesota and was sent down, and Bill Guerin did everything he could to avoid putting Rossi in a tough, pressure packed spot during the season.
The Wild plays a back-to-back, at Chicago tonight and at home against Winnipeg, which is playing for its playoff lives, Tuesday. The playoffs start a week from today.
Twins Take 2-of-3 from Houston
The Twins took the first two games of a series with the Astros at Target Field before faltering yesterday, 5-1. It’s been all or nothing for the offense - they score a lot, or not much at all.
The White Sox are in town for a three-game set beginning with a 1 p.m. matinee today. Four-game set at Yankee Stadium later this week…
Loons’ Former ‘Mate Takes Them Down
Former Loon Kei Kamara scored both Chicago goals as the Loons lost for the first time this season, 2-1. Minnesota, 3-1-2 now, hosts Orlando City this Saturday at Allianz Field.
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