Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 1.12.24
Tell a friend to sign up for The Takeout here!
Snow today, 30 below this long weekend, perfect weather for six football games in 54 hours.
Highlight-Reel Heise Lifts Minnesota to Another Win
I’ve been calling Taylor Heise the best women’s hockey player in the world for going on two years now and the rest of the world is finally catching on. Heise scored two goals in Minnesota’s 3-1 win over Toronto on Wednesday at The X. She’s tied with former Gopher teammate and current teammate Grace Zumwinkle with three goals, but oh how Heise scores them is the story.
Heise’s first goal began with a killer crossover, then anasty toe drag between defenders. I’ve watched her do it for four years against college players, and it’s even more satisfying against t he best players in the world.
Sick mitts best describes her second goal, aforehand backhand forehand roof job.
Still incredible to me that Heise was left off the 2022 Olympic team. She took that to heart and won the Patty Kaz as the best college player in America that same year.
Minnesota hosts New York on Sunday, its last home game until February 14. They play justtwice more at The X before March 5.
Wild Loses Again to Dallas, Slides to Halfway Point of Season
After a resurgence to begin the John Hynes’ era, the struggling Wild is in another tailspin, capped off (hopefully) by a 7-2 loss in Dallas on Wednesday. The Wild just can’t figure the Starsout-having lost to them 4-0 two nights prior and given up eight goals in a loss earlier this season.
Yes the Wild’s got injuries. But their compete level was nil in front of their goalie of the future Jesper Wallstedt, who yes gave up seven goals but deserved better in his NHL debut. Hedeserved effort in front of him, at the very least. With three home games in four nights starting tonight against the Flyers, Wild fans will be on pins and needles to see if their team can break out of this. They hit the season’s halfway point tonight, no fewer than seven points out of a playoff spot.
Wolves End Chaotic Day by Faltering Late in Boston
It’d be easy to give the Wolves a pass for their 127-120 OT loss in Boston on Wednesday. After an impressive win in Orlando the day before, the Wolves couldn’t get to Boston because of weather. So they spent the night and flew to Boston the day of the game-never ideal. Although I’d argue it’s just as ideal as getting to bed between 3 and 4 a.m. The players were sleeping on the plane at the same time they’d be napping at the hotel.
I digress.
That, and without Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley, things looked bleak. However, in one of themore entertaining NBA games of the year, the Wolves led by nine with four minutes left. But they couldn’t slam the door shut with a late lead for the second time in three games.
The Celtics improved to 18-0 at home. The Wolves are now tied with Oklahoma City for first in the West. The Wolves return home tonight to face Portland, and then the Clippers on Friday.
No. 1 vs. No. 2 at Ridder
It’s No. 1 Ohio State versus No. 2 Minnesota in a Friday-Saturday series at Ridder Arena. Wisconsin is a close third, as the WCHA rightfully dominates the top of the college hockey rankings. The Buckeyes took two games from the Gophers in Columbus in October. Ohio State has four more points than Minnesota in the WCHA standings. That’s important, because the winner will likely get to avoid Wisconsin in the WCHA semifinals. The men get a short week after splitting with Colorado College, hosting Robert Morris for their final two non conference games of the season.
Gopher Hoops Update
The Gopher men play at Indiana tonight looking for their eighth straight win. The Hoosiers are 9-1 at home. The women look for a second straight win at Nebraska on Sunday.
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
NETWORK PARTNERS
