Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 1.23.26
Watched a lot of football this weekend. The Vikings need a QB to play on this stage.
The Vikings rewarded Brian Flores with a lucrative contract extension, he’ll return as defensive coordinator if he doesn’t get a head coaching job. I thought he was perfect in Baltimore, which went another direction late last night.
I much preferred the 2014 Polar Vortex, when I was with the Wild in California.
Kaprizov’s Second Goal Lifts Wild in OT
When the ESPN broadcast said that injured Matt Boldy led the Wild in goals, I couldn’t believe it.
Kirill Kaprizov hadn’t scored a goal in five games, and had just one in his last nine. But he exploded for two last night, including the game-winner 45 seconds into overtime, as the Wild rallied past the Red Wings 4-3 at the former Xcel Energy Center. Mats Zuccarello also had two goals for the Wild, which hosts two-time defending Cup champion Florida tomorrow.
Kaprizov is now tied for the team lead with Boldy, who should still be back for the Olympics. Minnesota welcomed back Joel Erikkson Ek and Marcus Johansson from injuries last night and got a spark they needed.
Wolves Lose Fourth Straight
For just the second time in Chris Finch’s tenure, the Wolves have lost four straight.
They led by as many as 14, but blew a pair of double digit leads in a 120-115 home loss to the Bulls last night. Minnesota turned the ball over four times on six possessions late, including back-to-back turnovers inside the last 90 seconds. They could really use a true point guard…
Anthony Edwards hit just one of eight 3-point attempts, and he missed 16 of his 25 field goals overall. Outside of Naz Reid, the Wolves bench isn’t supporting them very much.
The Wolves, fourth in the West 10 days ago, are suddenly in seventh. They host Golden State in a 4:30 p.m. game Saturday.
Gopher Hockey
The 8-14-1 Gopher men have lost five straight and must take on No. 2 Michigan State on the road for two games.
The Gopher women have a home-and-home with St. Cloud State this weekend. It’ll be the last Gopher fans see of Abbey Murphy and Nelli Laitinen before the Olympics start in two weeks.
Gopher Hoops
Things are quickly unraveling for the Gopher men, who took Ohio State to OT on the road before falling 82-74 on Tuesday. Minnesota could have easily won three of the four games in its current losing streak, but they’ve all been losses. And now the Gophers return home to face No. 7 Nebraska, which is an undefeated 19-0.
The Gopher women rebounded from a bad loss in Washington with a 65-60 win at Oregon on Wednesday. They host Wisconsin at The Barn on Sunday.
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