Minnesota
MSU hockey falls to Minnesota 5-1: Analysis and reaction
![MSU hockey falls to Minnesota 5-1: Analysis and reaction MSU hockey falls to Minnesota 5-1: Analysis and reaction](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/28/PLSJ/72384560007-msu-minn-19.jpg?auto=webp&crop=2999,1688,x0,y156&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Lansing State Journals sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 8 Michigan State’s 5-1 defeat in Saturday’s series final with No. 9 Minnesota.
What happened
MSU (17-5-3, 11-2-2 BIG) came into Saturday’s tilt with Minnesota (14-7-4, 7-5-3 BIG) fresh off a thrilling third period on Friday night, where the Spartans scored three in the final frame – the game-winner coming with four seconds remaining – in a come-from-behind win over the Gophers, snapping a 16-game regulation losing streak.
It was a similar game Saturday, with the Gophers leading by two heading into the third period. This time, however, MSU wasn’t able to solve Minnesota’s defense and goaltender Justen Close, as the Gophers added two more in the third to earn a series split with a 5-1 win.
Minnesota, who scored early in Friday’s contest, followed suit tonight with a power play goal from forward Bryce Brodzinski less than five minutes into the first period. Later in the period, Minnesota forward Connor Kurth tipped a shot that hit off the post and laid on the goal line before forward Aaron Huglen was able to poke it across to make it 2-0 Gophers.
Freshman forward Oliver Moore forced a turnover in the second period at the MSU blue line, walked in, and beat MSU goaltender Trey Augustine to give the Gophers a 3-0 lead.
MSU’s lone goal came on a second-period power play when sophomore forward Karsen Dorwart fed sophomore defenseman Matt Basgall, and Basgall’s shot got through traffic and beat Close, giving him his first goal of the season.
After MSU began the third period pressing, Moore scored the pivotal goal to quell MSU’s comeback in the third period, making it 4-1 with nine minutes remaining. Senior forward Mason Nevers added an empty-netter to make it a 5-1 final.
Augustine had 31 saves for MSU, while Close stopped 24 of MSU’s 25 shots.
What it means
MSU got Minnesota’s best effort on Saturday night. MSU took its punches in Friday’s game too, but was able to showcase the conditioning and skill and earn back the momentum of the crowd in the third period to help ride to a late victory.
That is going to be the case for the Spartans for the rest of the season. This team isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. With a split against Minnesota and eight games to play, the Spartans are still in first place in the conference and have been ranked in the top 10 in the country for most of the season.
In those eight remaining games, MSU is going to have to deal with being the hunted – something that most of this roster hasn’t experienced. Checks are going to be harder. Lanes will close faster. Opposing crowds will be more engaged. That is MSU’s new reality – one that it wanted to be in, but now let’s see how it gets handled.
Minnesota’s young defensive core – paired with a veteran like captain Mike Koster – is very similar to MSU’s, but the Gophers look to be slightly ahead of schedule. MSU’s blue line was much improved this weekend compared to last weekend’s series against Michigan, but the Gophers youth was locked in, especially in the third period when MSU tried to push to get within one.
What they said
MSU coach Adam Nightingale, on the game overall: “Tough end of the weekend for us, and again, wasn’t a ton of easy ice and we got ourselves down. I liked what we did, I thought it was a pretty even game against a team we have a ton of respect for and who was in the National Championship last year. We had some looks but they made it hard on us and were committed to defending.”
Nightingale, on Minnesota’s defensive improvement: “It takes time, and you can tell they are on the same page and they all skate well and that can make it hard to forecheck and extend plays in the offensive zone. They play within themselves, and I think you saw it in the third period when they made it hard for us to gain the zone. There’s a lot of talent back there and they’re improving.”
Dorwart, on playing with a target on their back: “Where we are, we aren’t really surprising anyone. We are going to get their best every night, and that’s what you want. We prepare the same every week and it depends on what we decide to do and how we play.”
Basgall, on getting his first goal of the season: “It was a great play on the power play, we hounded their guys on the forecheck when they had a chance to clear, and then Karsen made a nice pass. I looked up at the net and there was a ton of net, (O’Connell) did a great job screening in front and I just had to put it on the right spot.”
What’s next
MSU will hit the road next weekend, traveling to South Bend for a two-game series with Notre Dame on Friday and Saturday.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Nathaniel_Bott
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Minnesota
#Top10WxDay for Labor Day, final day of Minnesota State Fair
![#Top10WxDay for Labor Day, final day of Minnesota State Fair #Top10WxDay for Labor Day, final day of Minnesota State Fair](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/09/02/154db920-0ede-4754-9bee-43eaecc72e39/thumbnail/1200x630/245f43c9b9e89ad07c0464dde597475d/2e21c1c7d365a89c0d55ef03e00ba8df.jpg?v=25685eaa472b1a5dbb5bd46ae506d232)
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesotans planning a Labor Day cookout or a last-minute visit to the Minnesota State Fair are in luck: Monday is a #Top10WxDay.
With highs in the mid-70s, sunshine and a light wind, it will be a beautiful day across the state.
Dry and comfortable weather will continue through midweek, though temperatures will climb a bit each day before topping out in the lower 80s on Wednesday.
There is a chance of rain Wednesday night into Thursday morning, then a shot of real fall-like air arrives. Highs will collapse to the upper 60s by Friday and stay there through the weekend.
Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx beat Chicago Sky 79-74
![Minnesota Lynx beat Chicago Sky 79-74 Minnesota Lynx beat Chicago Sky 79-74](https://img.apmcdn.org/869a115806aad77cc049bc3e563759cbc5786876/widescreen/39be9b-20240901-angel-reese-2000.jpg)
Angel Reese became the WNBA’s single-season rebounding leader with eight games left on Sunday in the Chicago Sky’s 79-74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, who got 22 points from Courtney Williams.
Reese finished with 17 points and 19 rebounds for her 24th double-double, a league rookie record. She has 418 rebounds for an average of 13.1 per game, with her total surpassing Sylvia Fowles’ record of 404 in 2018. The 6-foot-3 Reese also broke the record for offensive rebounds with 165, passing Yolanda Griffiths (162 in 2001).
Reese and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces are the only players in the league with at least four games of 15-plus points and 15-plus rebounds this season.
Williams tied a season high in scoring for the Lynx. Kayla McBride added 17 points and Napheesa Collier scored 15 for Minnesota (24-9).
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The Lynx, who had their six-game win streak snapped Friday with a 94-76 loss to Dallas, are a league-best 8-1 since the Olympic break.
Chicago (11-21) lost its sixth straight. The Sky’s lead over Atlanta for the final playoff spot fell to one-half game with the Dream set to play at the Los Angeles Sparks Sunday night.
Kamilla Cardoso led the Sky with a career-high 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting and had nine rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere scored 15 points.
Collier and Williams each scored four points in a 14-4 opening run and Minnesota never trailed.
The Sky went on an 11-2 run to open the fourth quarter and tied it at 62-all when Diamond DeShields made a driving layup with 7:41 to play. Williams answered with back-to-back pull-up jumpers 24 seconds apart to put the Lynx in front for good.
Minnesota
Tim Walz makes appearance at Minnesota State Fair
![Tim Walz makes appearance at Minnesota State Fair Tim Walz makes appearance at Minnesota State Fair](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/09/01/6cc861ec-6ad7-4530-bd8c-ca3d7ee13d51/thumbnail/1200x630/431270f838edd9f08030d7fb5dadc0c6/61ef5955f0ea85326305787ada56a6a8.jpg?v=25685eaa472b1a5dbb5bd46ae506d232)
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