Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 10.2.23

Sports That Aren't HockeyTwinsVikingsGophersWildLynxTimberwolvesPWHLLoons

Oct 2

Written By Ryan Stanzel

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The Europeans Have Fun & Ryde to Victory

The Europeans held off a pretty furious American Ryder Cup rally on Sunday. The Europeans have so much fun. I get that it’s at an inopportune time for the Americans (they’d rather it be closer to the end of the PGA season), but gosh is there a less likable group of humans on the planet than the U.S. Ryder Cup team?

Heartbroken to hear about the loss of Flames AGM and former Wild director of hockey ops Chris Snow from complications from ALS. Snowman was my dinner buddy on the road back in the day.

Twins Draw Blue Jays in Wild Card Round

A wild weekend in the West Division meant the Twins will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild card found this week, not the Houston Astros. Each of the three-game series is at Target Field, Tuesday through Thursday, with first pitch at 3:38 central time.

It’s Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray, and pray for rain (or a sweep), as Joe Ryan got rocked in his final playoff tuneup this weekend in Colorado.

The Blue Jays lost the last two games of the regular season. They’ve actually been a better road team than home team this season. Should be a smattering of Blue Jay fans at Target Field I’d imagine.

Vikings Finally Win

Great to get in the win column (21-13 in Carolina), but don’t get too comfortable. The 1-3 Vikings lose that game with a remotely competent opponent. The 0-4 Panthers lost despite taking advantage of some big Viking mistakes, like Kirk Cousins’ first quarter interception at the goal line. Minnesota has turned the ball over inside their opponent’s 2-yard line in EACH OF THEIR FOUR GAMES.

But Carolina just isn’t very good. Eight yards in penalties. More than 38 minutes of possession but could manage just two field goals after the first quarter. And the Vikings’ D.J. Wannum returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Adam Thielen did his darndest - he led the Panthers with 76 receiving yards.

Cousins completed just 12 passes but didn’t need to do much (save for protect the football more). Alexander Mattison and Cam Akers combined for 135 yards on the ground.

The Vikings host the Chiefs on Sunday at 3:25. Where will Taylor Swift be?

Gophers Outlast Ragin’ Cajuns with No. 2 Michigan on Tap

The Gophers beat Louisiana 35-24 for Homecoming on Saturday, but there’s no time to celebrate that win. Not with No. 2 Michigan coming to Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday for a 6:30 p.m., nationally televised game on NBC. The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 172-30 (gulp) this season, although one could argue Minnesota is the best team they’ll have faced. Actually, it’s not much of an argument.

The Ragin’ Cajuns led 14-10 at halftime, but Minnesota wore them down despite freshman phenom Darius Taylor missing the game due to a leg injury. Zach Evans rushed for 85 of the Gophers’ 201 yards.

Loons Falter Late, Again…

When the Loons miss the playoffs (and it’s a when, not an if), they’ll have their play at home and in the late stages of the game to fault. Minnesota had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home against San Jose on Saturdyay.

The Loons have lost 10 standings points in the last 10 minutes of the game (so, a tie becoming a loss or a win becoming a tie or loss). They’ve also won just three of their 16 home games. Three! That’s remarkable.

So with three games left - including Wednesday at second place LAFC, the Loons sit 11th in the West with 38 points. FC Dallas is in ninth with 41 - so it’s not impossible, but the Loons can’t do this scoring one goal per night.

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