Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 4.3.26
GMBB season ended early Thursday morning with a loss against Baylor. Not sure how the Bears didn’t make the NCAA Tournament.
The Loons and L.A. Galaxy are two of six Western Conference teams with just one win. They play Saturday night in the City of Angels.
Wild Clinches Playoff Berth with Win Against Canucks
The Wild’s stars led them into the playoff berth, and what they do there will be up to them, too.
Matt Boldy (two goals) and Kirill Kaprizov (one) each netted their 40th goals as the Wild shook off the rust of a four-day layoff to beat Vancouver 5-2 at Grand Casino Arena last night. Minnesota, which also got two goals from Ryan Hartman, clinched a spot in the playoffs, while the Canucks clinched the worst record in the NHL.
The Wild trailed 2-1 after one against a Canucks team that won an exhausting game, 8-6, over league-leading Colorado the night before. But early in the second, Boldy’s second of the night tied it up, and then KK97 joined him in the 40-goal club for a one-goal lead.
Minnesota is in the playoffs for the 12th time in 14 seasons. Will this be the year they break through? Remember, they have lost seven of 12 and haven’t won back-to-back games in a month.
The Wild visits Ottawa and Detroit for back-to-back matinees Saturday and Sunday.
Wolves Miss Ant, McDaniels in Loss at Pistons
The Wolves are the only team amongst the top six in the West to not be playing their best ball of the season down the stretch. Of course, who’s on the court is a big fafctor.
Playing again without Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the undermanned Wolves let one get away from them in the fourth quarter of a 113-108 loss at East-leading Detroit. The Pistons beat Minnesota twice in the last week.
Every team above the Wolves in the standings are surging. The Nuggets have won seven straight. The Rockets, the team just above the Wolves, have won four in a row. With a tough schedule over the final six games, the Wolves certainly look like a No. 6 seed and a date with probably the Lakers, and maybe the Nuggets.
Edwards added an illness to his injured right knee. Jaden McDaniels is still out with a left knee injury. Mike Conley is playing minutes the Wolves certainly didn’t expect him to be playing down the stretch.
The Pistons’ stifling defense was especially good in the fourth, a quarter that began with the Wolves up one. Minnesota shot 31 percent from 3-point range. Donte, Ayo and Bones combined to miss 17 of 20 treys.
Minnesota has no time to rest, playing at East No. 6 Philly tonight.
Twins Salvage Finale in K.C.
The Twins’ home opener today may have a hint of optimism today after they salvaged the finale in Kansas City, 5-1, yesterday. It’s a whole lot better than returning home today on the heels of a 13-9 loss Wednesday, with their ace on the mound.
Taj Bradley threw six shutout innings - the Twins are 2-0 in games Bradley has started and 0-4 in games he has not - and the Twins hit three homers in the ninth to break open a one-run game.
Kody Clemens and Josh Bell gave Minnesota its first set of back-to-back homers since July. They’re going to have to win some games via the long ball; they’ve made five outs on the bases in six games.
It’s Bailey Ober and Joe Boyle today just after 3 p.m. Bundle up.
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