Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 2.10.25

Feb 10

Tell a friend to sign up for The Takeout today: https://cutt.ly/5jc87CG

If you’re ever in Sioux Falls I recommend the blueberry pancake latte from Brioux Falls. We bring back a fourth place and a judge’s choice for entertainment.

Minnesota had the Puppy Bowl MVP.

Eagles Throttle Chiefs 40-22

The Eagles were dominant from the get go, never giving the Chifs a chance in a dominant 40-22 Super Bowl LIX win in New Orleans. The game was not as close as the final score would even indicate.

I thought the Eagles would win, but this was the biggest woodshed moment we’ve seen in the NFL post-season since 41-donut (sorry, had to).

The Chiefs had one first down in the first half - it was on their first play from scrimmage. They didn’t cross mid field until there was 2:30 left in the third quarter. Patrick Mahomes threw two costly interceptions in the first half, including a TD return by 22-year-old rookie Cooper Dejean. K.C. became the 13th team in 59 Super Bowls to get shut out in the first half.

Kansas City’s defense shut down Saquan Barkley, but five different Eagles had at least one reception of 20 or more yards.

Pitchers and catchers report next week.

Wild Hit 4 Nations Break After Rallying Past Islanders

They looked like they were taking an early start to their 4 Nations Face-Off break, but the Wild then scored five straight goals en route to a 6-3 win over the Islanders on Saturday at The X.

Matt Boldy had two goals and an assist, and now the Wild gets two weeks for injured star Kirill Kaprizov to get closer to being healthy.

The 4 Nations Face-Off is a made up event (aren’t they all) by the NHL, which did away with the All-Star Game. I like the idea of this - U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland in a round robin tournament in Boston and Montreal. But there’s no semifinal games - just the top two teams meet for the Final on Feb. 20. This is happening with 26 games left in the regular season (for the Wild), so the players will be in better shape than the old World Cup of Hockey in September.

I’ll be watching. Canada and Sweden get things underway Wednesday in Boston. Canada and the U.S. fight for the 51st state of the Union Saturday evening.

No one’s catching Winnipeg, but it’ll be quite the race down the stretch between the Wild, Stars and Avs for second through fourth in the Central.

No Ant? No Problem for Wolves

Hip soreness kept Anthony Edwards out of the lineup Saturday against Portland, but the Wolves used a huge fourth quarter to beat Portland 114-98 at home. Minnesota trailed by six entering the fourth, but outscored the Blazers 38-14 in the final 12 minutes en route to the victory.

Edwards was held out as a precaution. The Wolves won for the eighth time in 10 games, and won the final three games of a five-game homestand after dropping the first two. Jaden McDaniels erupted for 30 points. Naz Reid had 23, and Nickell Alexander-Walker scored 21.

The Wolves have finally climbed out of the play-in spot; they’re sixth but just a half game up on seventh. And they get a huge test tonight at East-leading Cleveland.

Wisconsin Sweeps GWH Easily

Wisconsin is the best NCAA women’s hockey we’ve seen in a looooong time. The Badgers dispatched of No. 3 Minnesota by a combined 15-5 margin in a weekend series in Madison. I don’t see anyone getting in the Badgers’ way of an NCAA title, but either Minnesota or Ohio State will give it a go later this month in the WCHA Tournament. The Gophers play a home-and-home this weekend against St. Cloud State. It’s the penultimate week of WCHA regular season play.

The Gopher men had their final bye, and now play at Michigan this weekend with three conference weekends left. They’re five points back of Michigan State with two games in hand for the top spot in the Big 10. Win the conference regular season, and you get to avoid a best-of-three series in round one.

Gopher Hoops

The Gopher men lost for the third time in four games, losing to Illinois 95-74 at home on Saturday. They’re at USC on Saturday as they begin the California Big 10 swing.

The Gopher women snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Indiana 66-60 at home yesterday. They’ve got a huge test Thursday at No. 8 Ohio State.

Sponsor The Takeout

Sponsorship packages are available! The Takeout is a great spot to advertise your small business. Get thousands of eyeballs on your product every month. E-mail ryanstanzel@gmail.com