Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 9.21.26

Sep 21

The Twins were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Intermission entertainment has gotten bad over the years. I love a good throwback to the old days. The Wild did just that Saturday, and a fan won season tickets by getting the puck into the net through a tiny hole from center ice.

Amazing video in the pits from Saturday’s NASCAR race in Bristol, as Ryan Blaney sought out Carson Hocevar and the two threw haymakers until separated. Hocevar wrecked Blaney, who was in first place late in the race when the “bump” happened.

Former Gopher Tyler Pitlick scored in overtime to give the Wild a 3-2 win over Chicago in Saturday’s pre-season opener. There’s a rematch tonight at United Center. Don’t expect Kirill the Thrill to play until the pre-season finale at home on Friday.

Vikings Beat Bears 9-3 in the Mud

The Black and Blue Division is back, baby.

In a throwback in the rain at Soldier Field, the Vikings grinded out a 9-3 decision over the Bears to remain undefeated and take the top spot in the NFC North.

The Vikings twice held Chicago to no points inside the five-yard line, including a blocked field goal in the fourth quarter after Caleb Williams left the game with a hamstring injury on a play he could have scored the go-ahead touchdown..

The Vikings visit Tampa Bay on Sunday just after 3 p.m.

After managing the game just fine for three quarters in the soggy conditions, Carson Wentz hit Jordan Addison and Josh Oliver for big completions to seal the game in the fourth. That came after Williams’ injury and a blocked field goal by Isaiah Rodgers.

Aaron Jones, who had briefly left the game earlier in the second half, ran for 105 yards and helped make sure the Bears didn’t get the ball back until there was a minute left.

Because nothing’s easy in these parts, backup Tyson Bajent led the Bears to the 12-yard line before he was sacked by Dallas Turner as time expired - Minnesota’s fourth sack of the game. The Vikings’ defense also forced and recovered a D’Andre Swift fumble inside the five early in the third quarter.

Wentz moved to 50-49-1 all-time as a starter.

Lynx Snap Three-Game Losing Streak; Magic Number at One

The Lynx have found themselves in a dogfight for the No. 1 overall seed, but got a much needed 101-89 win in Connecticut on Sunday. That snapped Minnesota’s losing streak at three games, moved its magic number to one and restored its lead to one game over Golden State with two to play. The Lynx hold the tiebreaker over the Valkyries.

The teams’ schedules favor Golden State. Minnesota finishes with a home-and-home with Indiana beginning Tuesday in Indy. The Valkyries play two non playoff teams. Simply put, the Lynx just need to win one game and they’ll be the top seed.

Against Connecticut yesterday, Napheesa Collier scored 23 points and Olivia Miles added 21 points and six assists.

Gophers Blast Akron; Visit Undefeated Washington on Saturday

The schedule is about to get a whole lot tougher. The Gophers overpowered Akron 41-7 Saturday behind three touchdown passes from Drake Lindsey. Minnesota improved to 2-1 while rebounding from the prior week’s loss to Misissippi State. The Gophers play at 3-0 Washington (they’ve played three vastly inferior teams) on Saturday at 10 p.m. central.

Darius Taylor missed the game, so the Gophers really set the tone by passing in the first half. They rushed just nine times before halftime.

Loons Lose Again; Ahead of Just One Team in West

The Loons led by a goal with around 15 minutes left but suffered a 3-2 regulation loss to the L.A. Galaxy at Allianz Field on Saturday night.

It’s hard to believe, but the Loons have just one MLS win in 4 ½ calendar months - a span of 15 regular season games. They’ve slid to 14th in the 15-team Western Conference.

Minnesota has eight games left. Despite the last 150 days, they’re three points out of a wild card.

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