Minnesota

Michigan Hockey Beats Minnesota; Advances to Conference Championship

Published

10 months ago

March 17, 2024

Michigan Hockey Beats Minnesota; Advances to Conference Championship

The Michigan Wolverines entered last night’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal against Minnesota with no guarantees of tomorrow. In theory, the Wolverines should have been a lock for the NCAA Tournament, but nothing is certain in college hockey and a loss could have meant an unceremonious end to the season.

Entering the weekend, Michigan knew that with a win, 1) an NCAA Tournament berth would be guaranteed, and 2) they could arrange a state championship rematch with the Spartans for an opportunity at their third straight Big Ten Tournament crown.

Although Michigan’s identity has been a high-flying, potent offense under second-year head coach Brandon Naurato, the Wolverines seemed to have unlocked a new defensive proficiency in recent weeks. However, early on against Minnesota, it seemed like another classic high-scoring Michigan vs. Minnesota matchup.

Just like the Wolverines had done in the previous four meetings against the Gophers this season, Michigan scored first. Less than four minutes into the game, Chase Pletzke threw a high shot on net from the blue line solely looking to create chaos. Minnesota goalie Justen Close recognized a standing chest save was required, but he forgot about the rebound.

The loose puck trickled free and found the stick of Kienan Draper, who beat Close’s five-hole for his fourth goal of the year. Michigan would seemingly add to its lead a few minutes later, but the play was overturned due to an offsides.

For the remainder of the first, both teams would have chances, but Michigan’s defensive execution kept the Wolverines up, 1-0.

In the second, Michigan’s defense continued to be the story. The Wolverines were committed to back-checking, puck possession and clean zone exits. The crisp defense led to high-execution offense, but Close was able to stand on his head for the majority of the period. However, with less than two minutes to go, Michigan’s defense sparked the second goal of the night.

After a tenacious Ethan Edwards forced a Minnesota turnover, defenseman Marshall Warren connected a beautiful stretch pass to a streaking Gavin , who ripped a wrister past Close.

The Wolverines only allowed five shots in the middle period and carried a two-goal lead into the final frame. However, the last time these two teams met, Minnesota hadn’t scored through two periods and unloaded five goals in the third, so the Wolverines knew they couldn’t take their foot off the gas.

Minnesota mounted a fight in the third period with more offensive zone time and goal-scoring opportunities, but when the Michigan defenders weren’t making a play, it was goaltender Jake Barczewski rising to the occasion for one of his 24 saves.

For 18:30 of the third, Michigan was suffocating defensively. But with a pulled goalie, Minnesota proved it was not going silently into the good night. With 89 seconds remaining, Minnesota’s Jimmy Snuggerud got the Gophers on the board.

Pulses raised throughout the building, but Michigan eliminated any threats of Minnesota tying the game and held on to win, 2-1.

Saturday was Michigan’s best performance of the season. The Wolverines were unbelievably sharp defensively and offensively, and were getting value across all four lines. With the win, the Wolverines firmly solidified its place in the NCAA Tournament.

Next Saturday, Michigan will play Michigan State in East Lansing with the conference title on the line.

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Minnesota

Minnesota high school sports: Scores and results for Monday, Jan. 6

Published

8 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Minnesota high school sports: Scores and results for Monday, Jan. 6

• Orono 218.5, Benilde-St. Margaret’s 189, Bloomington 147.5. Medalist: Bennett Erickson, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 49.71.

• Benilde-St. Margaret’s 190, St. Louis Park 170, Bloomington 169. Medalist: Ava Krueger, St. Louis Park, 50.28.

EASTERN MINNESOTA ATHLETIC

• Avail Acad. 68, Twin Cities Acad. 55

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Minnesota

Minnesota task force recommends decriminalization of magic mushrooms

Published

16 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

Minnesota task force recommends decriminalization of magic mushrooms

MINNEAPOLIS — A task force is recommending the decriminalization of magic mushrooms.

A nearly 200-page report from the Minnesota Psychedelic Medicine Task Force said psilocybin mushrooms show evidence they may improve mental health.

Logan Fleischman co-owns Wonderland Mushroom Dispensary in St. Paul, a shop specializing in mushroom-infused gummies and drinks that tout supposed real-life health benefits.

“We’re not saying that this certainly will give you energy or will give you focus, but for some people, it does help,” Fleischman said.

Fleischman does not sell “magic mushrooms,” also known as psilocybin mushrooms, that cause hallucinations and are still illegal.
However, news of a state task force report that lays out potential health benefits, gives Fleischman hope.

“Really helping combat things like depression, anxiety, PTSD,” Fleischman said.

By a two-thirds supermajority, members of the Psychedelic Medicine Task Force are recommending the Minnesota Legislature create a state-regulated clinical program for the therapeutic administration of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, while removing criminal penalties for their use, and allocating for more funding for research on psychedelics, like psilocybin mushrooms.

The task force also looked at a clinical program for synthetic drugs like MDMA and LSD, but that didn’t garner enough support. There also was not enough support for a recreational market for magic mushrooms.

“The report itself is meant to be a long-term resource for the state,” said Jessica Nielson, chair of the task force. “We do need someone in the legislature to actually introduce the bill and move it through the system.”

Minnesota Sen. Mark Koran, R-North Branch, a member of the task force, is optimistic.

“If we can get a true environment to have some research done and find an effective way to administer it, and we have the resources to do it here, then I would be all for moving it forward,” Koran said.

Jason Rantala

Jason Rantala joined WCCO as a reporter in June 2023. He’s a Minnesota native and is thrilled to be telling the stories of those in his hometown.

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Minnesota

Ohio State vs. Minnesota Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Monday, January 6th

Published

23 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State vs. Minnesota Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Monday, January 6th

Ohio State will look for some Big Ten consistency on the road against Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers are struggling to keep up with high-end competition, yet to beat a top 80 team in the country thus far. Can the team score a home upset against Ohio State? The Buckeyes have yet to win a true road game but are laying a handful of points on the road on Monday night.

Here’s our best bet for this one.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 136.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Ohio State

Bruce Thornton: Enjoying a career-best year, Thornton is up to nearly 17 points per game while shooting 54% from the field and 44% from three. The veteran guard will be tasked with guiding the Buckeyes to a road win as the team looks to keep its three-point shooting at a high.

Minnesota

Dawson Garcia: The senior is averaging 19 points per game with seven rebounds while also showcasing improved playmaking with two assists per game. The Gophers are struggling to find consistency on offense, but a lot of it is coming from the 6’11” senior.

Ohio State continues to be an overvalued commodity after a strong start to the season. The team is ripe for regression, including three percent overall with a massive drop-off expected from beyond the arc (four percent), per ShotQuality.

The team will face a Minnesota team that grades out as a better defense according to shot quality and does a great job of contesting perimeter shots, which is a key to Ohio State’s offense. The Gophers are 38th in the country in three-point rate allowed, which can slow down Ohio State’s offense that ranks top 30 in three-point percentage.

The Gophers play at a prodding pace, bottom 10 in the country in adjusted tempo, and Ohio State’s defense continues to be overvalued due to poor shot-making marks, ranking 14th in effective field goal percentage. However, the team is outside of the top half of the country in turnover percentage, defensive rebounding rate, and opponent free throw rate.

In a low possession battle, give me the home underdog to keep this close.

PICK: Minnesota +5.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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