Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 11.10.23
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Wild Sleepy Early in Loss in New York
Unofficially by my count, the Wild is 2-381-13 all-time against backup goalies. Man, they let a good chance pass by last night at the World’s Most Famous Arena, facing journeyman goalie Louis Domingue, who hadn’t played an NHL game since the 2022 playoffs. But the Wild sleptwalked through the first period, were fine in the second then gave up a pair in the third of a 4-1 loss to the Rangers in Manhattan last night.
A cool night for Domingue, who’s 31 and has significant NHL time with the Coyotes, Lightning and Penguins. He no doubt grew up idolizing the guy at the other end of the ice, Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Wild played like a team that spent an off night in the city that never sleeps. Shots were 14-2 in the first period in favor of the Rangers. But the Wild absolutely dominated the second period, but could get just one of their 15 shots past Domingue - that coming from Brock Faber.
With the game tied 1-1 early in the third, Alexis Lafreniere got loose on a 2-on-1 with Artemi Panerin to put the Rangers back on top. Then later, a huge mismatch of the Rangers’ high-octane power play against a Wild PK unit ranked last in the NHL. One of our own Blake Wheeler scored on that man advantage.
A quick flight to Buffalo post-game followed by the second half of the back-to-back against the Sabres. The Wild returns home Sunday against Dallas. Jared Spurgeon should make his season debut.
Billy Guerin made a move to toughen up said PK on Wednesday. A couple hours after shipping underperforming power play specialist Calen Addison to San Jose for a draft pick and a marginal prospect, the Wild traded a pick to Tampa Bay for Zach Bogosian, who lives in Minnetonka. Bogosian got into the lineup just four times for the Lightning this season.
Wolves Blow Out Pelicans
If the Wolves didn’t make a believer out of you knocking off previously unbeaten Boston, maybe Wednesday’s 122-101 win over New Orleans on Wednesday will do the trick. Last year (or any of the prior 20), you feel like the Wolves would have lost this game. Big time let down against a shorthanded team after a big time win? Not this year.
Twenty six for ANT, 23 for KAT but can we talk about how good Rudy Gobert has been? People (myself included) were very hard on Rudy last year. He struggled with injuries, for sure, but he just looks like a different, fully engaged presence in the paint this season. He grabbed 21 boards and scored 17 points against the Pelicans. He blocked two shots, but each night this guy alters or makes guys pass instead of shoot seemingly a dozen times.
The Wolves get their first look at “Wemby” the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft this year, when San Antonio comes to town tonight to kick off the NBA’s “In-Season Tournament.” I don’t fully endorse this, we’ll see how it goes for the NBA. Extra prize money for guys already making tens of millions. It’s an $18 million prize pool for the players. The winning coach gets half a mil. These games count in the regular season standings, remember. The Wolves’ group includes Sacramento, Golden State, Oklahoma City and the Spurs, who bring former Apple Valley standout Tre Jones back to town.
Dobbs at QB as Vikings Play Host to Saints
A reasonable fan base would think that with a full week to prepare for a game, not a few hours as a backup in practice, that Joshua Dobbs should lead the Vikings to victory again Sunday against the Saints. But none of us are reasonable.
What could go wrong? Plenty. The Vikings listed 11 players in the injury report yesterday. We know QB Jaren Hall and WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) won’t play. Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has returned to practice, but won’t play until he’s 100% and that won’t be this week. Christian Darrisaw, plus TE’s T.J. Hockenson and Johnny Mundt were all limited in practice yesterday. Hockenson said he’ll be ready.
The Saints have won two straight to sit atop the NFC South at 5-4. I won’t get sick of seeing the Minneapolis Miracle video this weekend.
Gopher FB at Purdue
The Gophers can take nothing for granted, with losses against Northwestern and Illinois right now keeping them from sole possession of the top spot in the Big 10 West. Saturday at 2:30, the 3-3 Gophers (5-4 overall) visit 1-5 and 2-7 Purdue, which has lost four straight. The Gophers, however, have just one win away from Minneapolis this season.
Both Gopher Hockey in Top 10 Matchups
It’s a top 10 matchup for both Gopher hockey teams - in Ann Arbor, the No. 5 Gopher men visit the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines. Michigan was No. 3 just a week ago. The Gophers are 0-2 in conference and the pre-season favorites are already 12 points behind first-place Wisconsin (4-0-0).
In Duluth, the No. 4 Gopher women visit No. 7 UMD for a pair.
Gopher Hoops
The Gopher men look to move to 2-0 when they host Texas-San Antonio tonight.
The Gopher women blitzed LIU 92-57 in Dawn Plitzuweit’s debut Wednesday. Mara Braun, last year’s standout freshman, poured in 25 points and should have considerably more help this year. Sophie Hart, a transfer from N.C. State, had 11 points in her Gophers debut. The Gophers host Chicago State on Sunday.
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