Minnesota
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.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WCCO News) – Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is set to be sentenced on federal charges later this summer.
According to court documents, the sentencing date is set for July 23 at 10 a.m. at the Minneapolis federal courthouse.
Earlier this month, Boelter, 58, changed his plea to guilty on six counts against him in the June 14, 2025 lawmaker shootings as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Boelter’s recommended sentence will be two consecutive life terms followed by 40 years. The judge approved the plea deal and ordered an expedited sentencing.
The U.S. Department of Justice said it would not seek the death penalty against Boelter, which, according to a letter from U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, was part of the proposed plea agreement.
In his guilty plea, Boelter admitted to fatally shooting the Hortmans, wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope. The shootings prompted a massive manhunt that lasted 43 hours.
Following the guilty plea, theHoffman family released a statementthat said, “there is no justice when our family and our state will never truly heal.”
Boelter also faces state charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count each of felony cruelty to an animal and impersonating an officer. A guilty verdict for one of the first-degree murder charges carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed its case against him will move forward.
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The entirety of the Metro Transit Blue Line and parts of the Green Line will shut down for a few weeks this summer and be replaced by buses as crews work to swap worn track and outdated equipment.
The Blue Line will be offline from June 29 to Aug. 19. The west end of the Green Line — from West Bank to Target Field — will shut down between July 1 and July 26 and again between Aug. 16 and Aug. 19.
Metro Transit says buses will stop at or near the stations every 15 minutes. Some boarding locations will be moved to Hiawatha Avenue, and staff will help guide riders to their bus stops for the construction period.
Nearly every stop along the 22-year-old Blue Line will see improvement, Metro Transit says. The stations will be outfitted with real-time signs and shelter glass.
“We recognize that this needed maintenance work will be disruptive to riders, but once completed, the work we do this summer will help improve the customer experience for years to come,” said General Manager Lesley Kandaras.
The Green Line will be back in service for the beginning of August to accommodate summer events, such as Twins and Lynx games, the WWE Summer Slam at U.S. Bank Stadium and Noah Kahan and Ed Sheeran concerts.
We had another beautiful day across the region. Temperatures were still slightly below average. Winds will continue to be off the lake but our focus for tonight will be the chance for strong to severe thunderstorms across north-central Minnesota. The biggest threats will be hail, gusty winds and lightning.
Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected Wednesday, mainly during the afternoon and early evening.
Strong or severe storms are not currently expected Wednesday. However, some of these pop up storms could produce some damaging winds.
A more summer-like pattern is expected for the end of the week into early next week with increasing moisture and temperatures.
Chances for storms are expected to return on Sunday and continue into the new week.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms redevelop later tonight with fog by sunrise, the low will be around 48. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday
AM Fog with afternoon showers and thunderstorms with a high near 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
A slight chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
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