Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 1.31.25

Jan 31

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NFL “Pro Bowl” games are awful, at least make sure the players know the gimmicky rules.

Flower Bids Adieu to Montreal with Shutout in Wild’s Third Straight Win

Flower’s last start in Quebec was parfait.

Marc-Andre Fleury, who grew up less than an hour from Montreal, big au revoir to his home crowd by backstopping the Wild to a 4-0 win over the Canadiens at Bell Centre. Flower made 19 saves for his 76th career shutout and 572nd career win in a night so perfect that seemed scripted. He moved into the top 10 all time in shutouts last night. Flower is the first player in league history to have a shutout as a teenager and in his 40’s.

A little shocked the Wild didn’t make noted prankster Fleury do a solo lap during warmups. The Habs didn’t put up much resistance in losing their fourth straight game, although his save on Josh Anderson six minutes into the third brought a rousing ovation. Just seconds later, Devin Shore made it a 3-0 game with his first game with the Wild.

The crowd gave Fleury a minutes-long standing ovation at the 10-minute timeout of the third period. Notably, these things always happen in the first or second period so as not to take away from a good game. With tears in his eyes, Flower had to still face an extra attacker for five minutes. The Canadiens even sounded the siren at the end of the game, like they had won. Every Habs player met Fleury at center ice for a handshake. Perhaps the biggest disappointment was that Flower, who has never scored a goal, didn’t get a look at the Canadiens’ empty net.

The Wild has won three straight, leapfrogging Dallas for second in the Central. Two of those wins came since they found out injured star Kirill Kaprizov is undergoing lower body surgery and will miss at least a month, but not the whole season. Kaprizov did something - no one seems to be telling - over the Christmas break. He didn’t want to talk about it when returning, and no one has really pressed him on it.

Minnesota was left for dead (okay, by me too) after home losses to Utah and Calgary last week, but is now 3-0-0 to begin this five-game road trip that continues Saturday in Ottawa. Hopefully the Wild will make sure there’s not a blow torch ignited in the equipment truck at practice tomorrow…#IYKYK.

The Wild has 20 wins - they had 19 all of last season - and just 11 at home.

Wolves Roll Past Jazz for Fifth Straight Win

The Wolves are taking advantage of a schedule against sub-average teams right now, blowing out Utah 138-113 late last night. Minnesota exploded for 44 third-quarter points to open up a close game.

On the day he was named an All-Star reserve, Anthony Edwards had 36 points, as the Wolves won despite losing Julius Randle (groin), and playing without Mike Conley (sick). Huge games off the bench for rookie Rob Dillingham (19 points in 23 minutes) and cult hero Luka Garza (16 points in 14 minutes).

Minnesota will be heavily favored to win its sixth straight Saturday, when they host Washington, which has lost 15 straight since a New Year’s Day win.

Gopher Hoops

The Gopher women took on No. 4 USC late last night, dropping an 82-69 contest. Minnesota fell down 10 points early and never fully recovered, although the Gophers pretty much played them even for the final 30 minutes. An even bigger task awaits them Sunday, when they visit No. 1 UCLA.

The Gopher men, improved as they are, found Michigan State a little bit outside of their league in a 73-51 loss in East Lansing on Tuesday. The Spartans have enjoyed their best December and January under Tom Izzo. They’re at Washington on Saturday looking for a fourth win in five games.

Gopher Hockey

The second-best rivalry in women’s collegiate hockey comes to Ridder Arena this weekend, when No. 3 Minnesota hosts No. 2 Ohio State a week before trying to take down No. 1 Wisconsin. The three best teams in the country, hands down.

The No. 4 Gopher men look to end a three-game winless slide when they host 17th-ranked Wisconsin for two at Mariucci.

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