Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 3.18.24
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Dan Monson and Richard Pitino lead their teams to the Big Dance. Going to be a wild three weeks, no No. 1 seed is safe. Gopher men and women make the NIT - men are at No. 1 seed Butler tomorrow. Women find out opponent today.
Wild’s One-Point Nights Won’t Cut It Anymore
If this were three months ago, rallying from two goals down for a point in a shootout loss of a team directly below you in the standings would be fine. But not with 14 games left in the regular season.
The Wild didn’t show up for the first 40 minutes in St. Louis on Saturday, falling down two goals before Marco Rossi and Kirill Kaprizov willed them to overtime. But the Blues prevailed in the shootout after Freddie Gaudreau’s forgetful attempt, beating Minnesota 3-2. The Wild simply can’t keep leaving points on the table.
They’re five points behind Vegas and L.A. - they need to catch one - and both those teams have played one fewer game than the Wild. As luck would have it, the Wild and Kings face off Wednesday in L.A., a night after the Wild visits the woeful Ducks. The Blues, meanwhile, are just a point back of Minnesota with a game in hand.
Wolves Look for Third Straight
The Wolves carry a pair of double-digit wins into tonight’s game in Utah. Minnesota beat the Jazz 119-100 on Saturday.
Already without KAT, Rudy Gobert is hurt as well, leading to Naz Reid’s 22-point, 12 rebound game against the Jazz. Anthony Edwards led the way with 31 points, while Mike Conley found the fountain of youth with 25 points in 30 minutes.
The week begins with Oklahoma City up a half game on Denver and a full game on the Wolves.
GMH Loses to Michigan, Awaits NCAA Berth
The score was 2-1, but the Gophers were thoroughly dominated for most of their 2-1 loss to Michigan in the Big 10 Semifinals at Mariucci on Saturday. Minnesota lost faceoffs, couldn’t connect on passes, and managed just a handful of scoring chances. They were down two goals until the closing minutes. Michigan and Michigan State will play for the B10 title next week. Minnesota awaits their NCAA seeding this Sunday. The Frozen Four is at The X next month.
GWH Season Ends in 4 OT
The Gophers looked on their way to the Frozen Four, up two goals at Clarkson, but eventually lost a four overtime heartbreaker, 4-3. It’ll be an off-season of regrouping for Brad Frost’s group. They need a second consistent offensive threat behind Abbey Murphy, who you figure is staying but you never know.
Loons Remain Unbeaten
Eric Ramsay’s first game on the bench was a win, as the Loons remained unbeaten this year with a 2-0 home win over LAFC on Saturday. Robin Lod got things going in the 16th minute as the Loons took over first overall in MLS.
The Loons (three wins, one tie) don’t play another MLS match until March 30 at Philly. They do host an international friendly with St. Patrick’s Athletic out of Dublin at a chilly Allianz on Wednesday.
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