Minnesota sports week with plenty for all

Sunday March 3^rd was the start for a busy week in Minnesota sports with professional, college and even throw in some high school all in action. This is like a piece of heaven for the hard core Minnesota fan I am.

Sunday the Minnesota Wild hosted the Edmonton Oilers and it ended up being with one of the most dominating games by the Wild in quite some time.

I don’t know if I can recall a game where a team did not get a shot on goal. The Wild outshot Edmonton 18-0 in the second period and yet did not score. The Wild looked so good it was just a shame the team could not score.

Third period started out quickly literally as 9 seconds into the 3^rd Mikko Koivu lights the lamp to make it 2-1 and then the Wild add 2 more to end with 4 which ties the season high.

It was a great way to start the Minnesota sports week.

Monday the Timberwolves hosted the Miami Heat in a game in which I attended. It was my first chance ever to see LeBron James in action along with his teammates.

The Timberwolves dressed only 9 and did really have much of an answer for the inside game of Miami. It was like a dunk free for all for Miami.

The strange thing is even though Miami seemed to get what they want the Timberwolves were in the game in the 3^rd quarter only being down by 8. I was encouraged and was in hopes of an upset.

It seemed the flagrant foul called on JJ Barea followed by a technical called on Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman really took the steam out of the team.

The crowd was booing loudly and continually. It was the hope at least for that night that the Wolves would catch a break but not to be.

The crowd itself I saw a ton of Miami Heat jerseys, hats and coats while the Timberwolves fans did a god job of showing support for their young team. In my section I just did not see much Timberwolves apparel worn by fans. It is strange to see fans in neutral colors but I guess as long as they are cheering for the home team it is all good.

The Wolves had a chance to get to .500 at home but it was not meant to be so they are now 13-15 at Target Center. I am still a fan of the teams hustle as witnessing Rubio stealing the ball from LeBron and Dwayne Wade.

Tuesday the Wild went on the road to Chicago in hopes of ending the longest streak of consecutive points in a game that Chicago has going.

The Wild start out 1-0 on a goal by Devin Setoguchi, but then Chicago came storming back scoring 4 consecutive goals and knocking Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom out of the game.

Chicago is mighty impressive and it will take a complete game by somebody to knock them down a notch or if they get a cocky attitude. It can be done, however at least for Tuesday night it was not the Wild’s night.

Wednesday focuses on basketball as the Wolves host Washington while the Gophers men’s hoops team travels to Nebraska.

The Timberwolves are on a 6 game losing streak while the Gophers last 2 road games were blowouts. Let’s hope Wednesday is a day of change for both squads.

Wednesday-Saturday brings boys high school hockey state tourney at the Excel Energy Center. I do love this tourney but honestly I miss the days of the small schools such as a Roseau or Grand Rapids coming to the tourney and taking on a Bloomington Jefferson or an Edina team for the state titles. There are now so many different class levels for the schools.

Saturday is a feast with the Gophers final Big Ten game in Purdue, the Timberwolves are in Denver and the Wild are in Nashville and the state championship games will be played. If you like sports, Saturday is the day to stay home kick back get your remote and just enjoy some sports viewing.

As always thanks for reading

Purplestick

 

 

 

A look at Minnesota's home team numbers

Minnesota teams have given fans memories both great wins and unfortunately some heart wrenching losses at home. The road troubles my hope one day will be solved at least by one of the sports.

In 1987 and 1991 the Twins won the World Series in 7 games losing all 3 on the road but winning the 4 at home to become World Champions.

In the 1998-99 season the Minnesota Vikings went 8-0 at home and as I will never forget the only loss at home was in the NFC Championship game. I was there and sat in disbelief as I watched the Atlanta Falcons doing the Dirty Bird on the stage at the Metrodome.

This year during the 2012-2013 season Minnesota teams are once again coming through for the home town fans.

The Vikings went 7-1 at home with the only loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday night football. The last game of the year might go down as the best game I had ever been at watching Vikings kicker, Blair Walsh kick the game winning field goal over the Green Bay Packers.

The Minnesota Wild have a shortened season due to the strike that finally got settled. I was anxious to see how the fans would react to the strike. The first home game answered my question. I was not there but watching the game on TV I could feel the excitement.

The Wild have started out 7-2-1 at home including 2 wins in overtime and a shootout win over the hottest team in the NHL, the Chicago Black Hawks.

The Timberwolves have had a tough season but as I look at their home record they are 13-14 with a huge game against the Miami Heat on Monday March 4^th.

I have looked at the teams they have beaten at home which includes wins over Oklahoma City and Dallas.

The team has 20 wins for the season with 13 of them coming at home at Target Center.

The Minnesota Gopher basketball team just concluded their home part of their schedule on Saturday. The team ended up 15-2 at Williams Arena. The only blemishes were against Michigan and Illinois.

The 4 teams of the Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Gophers compiled up thus far a record of 42-19 and 1 tie which is 70 percent win for the home team.

I am a positive person in life and take that into my sports passion. Minnesota for years has had trouble on the road no matter what sport but the home winning keeps on coming. If the teams can figure out how to win on the road well we might be talking 1987 and 1991 Twins, 2011 Lynx and then hopefully one day I can add on to this short list.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

 

Awesome Senior Day at the Barn

How can you not love the college basketball game? Minnesota goes to Iowa and Ohio State and gets drilled by 20 plus points each game. Indiana comes in as the number one team in the nation and we watch the fans storm the court after the Gophers pull the huge upset.

Wednesday the number 4 team in the nation, Michigan Wolverines, lose to Penn State was a big stunner for one reason. Penn State had not won a game in the Big Ten coming into the Michigan game 0-14. Who would have seen this coming and to score 84 points against the number 4 team in the land?

Saturday the 2 teams face off after pulling major upsets. I would think both coaches would worry about a possible letdown after such emotional wins?

It was nice to see that the Gophers came to play. Penn State did not score the first 11:20 minutes of the game. I was listening to the game on the radio on my way home on the trip. It was weird to hear the play by play callers saying the Gophers are pitching a shutout. If I would not have known what game was on I would have wondered what sport I am listening to.

Minnesota up 16-0 with roughly 8 minutes left in the first half. Penn State scores 84 points on Wednesday and Saturday 0 for the first 11 minutes. This college game is unbelievably fun to watch as we come into March Madness.

I got home in time to watch the second half and it was just a matter of how much the Gophers would by. Penn State never hit their stride thanks to fantastic defense by the Gophers.

It was so nice to see a Minnesota team not give another team a sniff of getting close. It was even nicer as Senior Day at the Barn and the fans did not leave disappointed.

It was great that the Gophers were so far ahead they could start pulling the seniors one at a time for the game and let the fans say goodbye. Trevor Mbakwe went first with 3:40 left in the game and the rest followed one at a time.

It has seemed to me that the Gophers have fingered out that their inside presence will be big coming into the big dance.

This team has the potential to do something in the tourney other than going one and out. Mbakwe, Rodney Williams and Elliott Eliason will need to bring their physicality.

It was a great day for the Gophers who now end the regular season on the road before the Big Ten tourney in Chicago and then the Big Dance.

I got a feeling this team is going to give us some memories and I am not talking about bad ones.

Go Gophers

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

 

Minnesota passion hard to contain Tuesday

It has just about 24 hours since 2 big wins by Minnesota teams. The way both teams won is one of the major reasons I am so passionate about Minnesota sports. Yes, sure there have been disappointments over the years but the way Tuesday night went it makes a person appreciate the efforts and not giving up of my favorite state teams.

The Minnesota Gophers have looked terrible the last 2 road games especially in the second half of both games. The halftime scores were close and then the bottom fell out both games as the team loses big.

The thought process is easy to get negative with the number one team in the country coming to the Barn. The Indiana Hoosiers are in town and who knows how the Gophers would fare. I have heard so much fire Tubby talk lately and it does get old.

I have been hoping the senior leadership would take over at some point with Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams leading the way.

My hopes at least for Tuesday night were fulfilled. Mbakwe played huge and the leaping of Williams came to play.

It was nice to see a glimpse of the next 2 years with sophomore Elliot Eliason playing a huge role maybe playing his best game of his career.

This team has been under such heat as the season is winding down. I am so happy for these kids and the heart they showed against number one.

The first victory since 1989 over a number one team is unbelievable. I have watched so many games throughout the years and seen so many fans from different schools rush the court after a major upset. It was nice to see the home state get a chance.

Congrats to Coach Smith and the team who did not quit.

The Minnesota Wild hosted the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night and for the first 56 minutes it was concerning seeing the struggle. The power play 0-6 for the Wild, along with a couple of hitting the post was so frustrating.

The Wild had to kills off a double minor and did a great job as they bottled up Calgary very nicely. It is my opinion that the penalty kill by the Wild was the kick in the butt they needed to get going.

The tying goal by Jason Zucker was one of beauty with a little over 4 minutes left. It seemed after that goal the Wild had the momentum they needed. They played right up to the end of regulation with zip and energy. Calgary did take a penalty which carried into overtime. I just left a 4 on 3 in favor of the Wild and with the momentum on their side things were looking better.

It took 27 seconds into overtime as Zach Parise ends it with a backhanded that beat the Flames goalie.

My stars for the night were Elliot Eliason, sophomore and Jason Zucker, rookie. It shows no matter what age you are that when you are given an opportunity you make the most of it.

The same can go for the elder statesman for both teams with Trevor Mbakwe playing like a senior with a double double and veteran Zach Parise getting the game winning goal. It is nice to see the guys who are the leaders show why they are the leaders.

A great night to be a Minnesota fan!!!

Thanks for

Youthful Wolves start strong only to fall short

The Timberwolves last 2 home games have looked mirror image the way they started out to big leads. The Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday worked their way back from a big deficit only to lose to the Wolves. It was a nice win by Minnesota showing resiliency, and not quitting even after blowing a big lead.

Sunday the Timberwolves came out hot as they had a double digit lead over the Golden State Warriors in the first half.

The play of Derrick Williams is getting better each game. Sunday he had a reverse dunk that he even looked back to make sure it went in as he had defenders all around. It was one of the nicest dunks I have seen all year by the Wolves.

Ricky Rubio is playing out of his mind and the steals he is coming up with is great. He seemingly is getting better each game with the steals and the timing of the steals.

Rubio passing leaves me in shock with what he can do. A fast break and between the leg pass to Nicolai Pekovic who scored and was fouled on the play for a potential 3 point play. A missed free throw seemed to happen too often Sunday.

A lob pass from Rubio to Derrick Williams for the slam was one of beauty. Rubio had a drive in the lane where he went around his back with the ball only to miss a layup.

It seemed everything was going the Wolves way but yet found a way to lose a heart breaker. I believe one of the turning points of the game came when Warriors player Jarret Jack gave a shot to Greg Stiemsma’s chest which seemed to come out of nowhere. The announcers had thought Jack should be thrown out of the game for this. As it turned out Jack was only given a technical. The sharp shooting Jack displayed during the game would have really changed the game I believe if he would have been ejected.

I also believe Pekovic was fouled a number of times down under which were not called. It seemed to frustrate Pekovic. This guy has been so valuable for the Wolves this year with his play I hated to see him have looks of disbelief on his face as he was trying to get back on defense.

To credit Golden State for coming from way back to win but it just seemed it was going to be a Minnesota day.

The Wolves did have one final desperation as we watched Luke Ridnour put up a floater only to come up short and the Wolves lose by one.

I am not giving up on these guys. They are a team going through learning pains. Kevin Love who has been out for some time yet the young Wolves are still playing some exciting basketball.

Rubio and Derrick Williams seemed to have learned to play with each other and the results have been fun thus far.

Go Wolves

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Wednesday basketball with much to say

The game of basketball is full of bounces and on Thursday was no different. I was so pumped to get my share of basketball in with the Gophers-Ohio State game on a 6 and the Timbewolves-Philadelphia 76ers on at 7.

The Gophers game looked like a copy and paste game of the Iowa debacle. The score at halftime was respectable being only down by 6 to Ohio State. The second half of both games has been nothing but tough to watch. The turnovers are incredible with lazy passes and guys just making bad decisions.

One major flaw I trouble understanding is seeing the big men come towards the point trying to handle the ball like a point guard and there goes Ohio State. I don’t have trouble with them rotating but please don’t put it down and try to dribble out of trouble. The show of panic is evident with passes thrown that have no chance unless the guys are 8 feet tall. It is just plain disappointing but still hang on a small hope things can get better.

I saw something I have never seen in all the years I have watched basketball and that was seeing the refs whistle break and he stood there trying to fix it which he eventually did. Is this just another sign of the Gophers struggle when even a whistle gets broken? The other evidence of things going south quickly was seeing Trevor Mbakwe go for a dunk and the ball hits the back of the rim and bounces out. It is just not meant to be.

The number one team in the nation, Indiana is coming to the Barn on the 26^th so hang on followed by another home game and then the last 2 on the road.

The Timberwolves come out of the All Star break with as fast as basket as a game could start the game. The team scores the most points in opening quarter which was the most in any quarter in any of the games this season scoring 35.

Ricky Rubio gets his 500^th assists in his first 67 games. I pray this is only the beginning for this super star. He is worth the price of admission alone.

The first quarter sees the Wolves get 35 and in the fourth quarter only manage 1 made basket and yet the team still won.

The play of Derrick Williams and Nikolai Pekovic is only getting better and even better is the consistency.

One thing these 2 games had in common comes in the form of a player, Evan Turner who played for Ohio State and was the number 2 pick overall by the 76ers.

The Gophers season is in trouble but not over yet by any means and the youthful Timberwolves are getting better and fun to watch.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

 

 

Ups and downs in Minnesota sports

On Sunday February 17 was to be a day of loving Minnesota sports as the Gophers men’s hockey and basketball as well as the Minnesota Wild were in action in the early evening.

The day turned out bad for the Minnesota college teams and very good for the lone Minnesota pro team in action.

It was just last week on Thursday during rivalry week the Gophers basketball team hosted the Wisconsin Badgers. The game starts out 10-0 Badgers and making it look like it could be an awful night for the home team. As we know the Gophers caught up sending it to overtime and eventually winning.

The Gophers traveled to Iowa on Sunday coming into Iowa City having 3 in a row in Iowa City. I really thought the overtime win against Wisconsin could give the boys a boost. The game Sunday even starts out Minnesota up 21-5. We finally are going to get a road win so I thought, but disaster. I spent all day Monday listening to the radio and heard opinions of all sorts. It seemed pretty one sided that Coach Tubby Smith needs to go. The name Shaka Smart has been popping up. I for one do not want to hit the panic button and see just what happens in Ohio State. Did this embarrassing loss ignite the desire to not let this happen again? Who will step up as a player and take charge? Trevor Mbawke came back for one more season after being injured last year. Can Trevor take this team on his back as they head to the Big Ten tourney?

The Gophers hockey team took a tough loss to the Badgers on Sunday falling short 3-2. I have seen the Gophers enough this year to know it will be alright. This is a team that has the ability to bounce back. As a lover of sports I cannot think of a better sight that outside hockey. The sight of cold air being breathed out by the players you just do not get the pleasure to see any more. The 52,000 fans is a credit to people’s love of hockey sitting outside at Soldier Field and sitting through the cold. I know Chicago Bears fans are used to it but this is college hockey. It was history as Minnesota played its first outside hockey game. It is too bad a loss occurred but did like to see the Gophers quit.

The Minnesota Wild‘s play Sunday night went from oh on here we go again to wow that was awesome. Minnesota rookie goalie, Darcy Kuemper getting the call 5 minutes before the start of the game against the might Detroit Red Wings was quite the shock.

The way the game started falling 2-0 and again hearing boo birds is not fun. This team finally came out and showed what they can do. Kuemper played so well after allowing 2 goals keeping the Wild game.

I could not be happier for Jason Zucker who showed why the Wild think so highly of him by calling him up. The speed he showed racing from one end of the rink to the other and scoring was just the emotional lift this team needed. It is his first career goal and the victory gives goalie Kuemper his first win in the NHL. A goalie gets his first win and a rookie gets his first goal and they both are against longtime rival even going back to the Minnesota North Stars days, the Detroit Red Wings. Congrats to both!!

The Timberwolves are on All-star game break but I did manage to find an interesting number regarding the Wolves. The Wolves popularity is up the most in all professional sports with a gain of 42 percent. The next is LA Clippers ( NBA 38%), Nashville Predators (NHL, 30%) Phoenix Coyotes (NHL 25%) and then Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA 22%)

The Wolves are young with the likes of Ricky Rubio and Alexi Shved along with Derrick Williams leading the way. I know the playoffs are not likely in 2013 but I am sure excited to see how the team finishes going into next season.

The Twins first spring training game is this Saturday, February 23^rd which is hard to believe. It was Saturday the 16^th that tickets went on sale to the public. I did find some numbers with the renewal numbers of tickets at 81 percent in 2013. I am very impressed considering the team has lost 90 plus games the last 2 years.

In 2012 the renewal was 85 percent and in 2011 it was 95 percent. The Twins have sold 1.8 million tickets for 2013 and projecting 2.5-3 million for the year. It was last year at this time the team had sold 2.2 million.

This is a young team with many new faces so the only thing we know is the team is 0-0. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are healthy. I am going to be an optimistic fan and hope the team can find pitching.

Sources: bizjournals.com

Scarborough research

Thanks for reading

Purplestick