Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 10.25.23
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Wolves, World Series, & Sweet, Sweet Woodbury Crepes
Wolves begin the season at Toronto tonight, with the home opener Saturday against Atlanta. Expectations are pretty high with a third year of Anthony Edwards and a healthy Karl Anthony Towns. Now can they stop griping at the officials long enough to go on a run. To me, another play-in round is a disappointment, finishing in the top six.
Arizona and Texas start the World Series on Saturday in a ratings nightmare for Fox. I still have nightmares about the D-Backs’ only other World Series.
Sweet Paris Crepes opens in Woodbury this morning, gotta run.
Wild’s Top Line Finally Breaks Out
The Wild’s top line of Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartmann and Mats Zuccarello had been largely invisible at least five on five in the first two weeks of the season. That all changed last night, as they ignited a five-goal third period as the Wild pulled away from the Oilers 7-4 at The X.
The Wild allowed a goal in the opening minute of both the first and second periods, and in the first stanza had to kill off four lazy penalties. They were getting plenty of chances but nothing was going in, making Jack Campbell look like Dominik Hasek. But then Hartman took over. The center had his second career hat trick and five-point game, Kaprizov had three assists and Zuccarello a goal and an assist. Dean Evason had said earlier in the week he was considering splitting the trio up.
Filip Gustavsson, shaky early, made 25 saves for the win.
The Wild begins a three-game trip out East on Thursday at Philly, which will be coming off a West Coast road trip.
Vikings Incinerate Top-Rated 49ers D
You don’t need me to rehash too much of the Vikings’ 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday night, other than to say if you haven’t been to U.S. Bank Stadium for a night game, do it.
Nearly half the fans were wearing Niners red, which made for an interesting night. It actually helped the Vikings on defense, because when 49ers fans heard the Vikings fans go crazy, they matched their decibel level and it made it impossible for Brock Purdy to hear. Speaking of decibel levels, it was around 110 for much of the night, and I was thrilled to be wearing a headset.
You may not love Kirk Cousins, but let me tell you that every radio crew I work with would love to have him. Gush about him. He absolutely shredded the league-leading 49ers defense. Yes, San Francisco was without Debo Samuel on offense, but a pretty good WR named Justin Jefferson didn’t play for the Vikings. Jordan Addison is the real deal. Rookie wideouts don’t rip interceptions away from defensive backs much bigger and stronger than them like he did.
It makes for an interesting scenario for the 3-4 Vikings, who head to Green Bay this weekend with a chance to get to .500. Much of the talk pre-game Monday was about next Tuesday’s trade deadline. Could this be Danielle Hunter’s swansong? May be tough to break this team up too much. It’s more than likely Cousins’ swansong, I’d say just let it ride.
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