Jim Mill Straddles Two 'Wild' Teams
It's three-plus hours south of the Xcel Energy Center. Des Moines Iowa hardly strikes you as a hockey hot bed, but it's the ideal partner for the Minnesota Wild.
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It's three-plus hours south of the Xcel Energy Center. Des Moines Iowa hardly strikes you as a hockey hot bed, but it's the ideal partner for the Minnesota Wild.
He can score, and he can create. That's why Bloomington Jefferson hockey player Johnny Panvica is our Athlete of the Week.
If Valentine's Day plans had you missing out on Friday's high school winter sports action, don't worry.
Gopher forward Joey King say there's nothing like a Gopher-Wisconsin game. "Just the opportunity to play Wisconsin, it's something that people from Minnesota really look forward to," King said. The win the first time may have changed the Gopher's season. It also changed the way teams see Mo Walker, a key down the stretch, according to Coach Richard Pitino.
The Minnesota Timberwolves would probably have to go 20 and 10, or maybe even 22 and 8 for the rest of the way to make the playoffs. The task is again becoming daunting, and forward Corey Brewer is painfully aware. "We need a win before All-Star break. We got a lot of injuries, man," Brewer said. "It's tough when you have injuries." They are indeed a team riddled with current injuries, and frustrated by another sub-par season. Healthy or not, the Wolves cannot get stops on defense.
Mikael Granlund has seen a spike in his play over the last month, and perhaps the Olympics will help take him to another level.
What are the odds that any couple would have six children, all of them girls? And what are the odds that those six girls, between the ages of 5 and 18, would all play hockey? That's exactly the scenario for Doc DelCastillo and his wife, Sue. It's a situation where dad is a hockey coach and mom is the family's head coach.
Burnsville's Zach Smith loves to compete, and that's why he was drawn to basketball.
While the Winter Olympics are just getting underway in Sochi, there's plenty of winter sports action to take in here at home.
The Wild take on Tampa Tuesday night in a dash to the Olympic break. Keith Ballard came home in the off season to try and help solidify a group of defensemen that is a blend of veterans and youth.
If you missed the Rally Friday night, don't fear. We've got all the big basketball and hockey highlights, the Athlete of the Week and a talk with a Minnesota-raised NBA coach in the videos below.
The Osseo Orioles have another strong team, and they've got a guard trying to make everyone better.
Here's a local angle for the Super Bowl: A local company's cold resistant clothing will be worn by the Seattle Seahawks in the Big Game.
Tyler Matson spent some golden years as a Golden Gopher. "Unbelievable experience," Matson said. "Playing for Don Lucia, the Gophers and being in Minnesota and being a Minnesota kid … you want to play there." His current residence is just over three hours south in Des Moines, where he plays for the Wild's AHL team – the Iowa Wild. Interstate 35W and a whole bunch of players are between him and the big club.
Carlie Wagner is a hooper and a hunter. She is also the biggest name in the senior class of girls basketball this season.
It's the first annual North Star Cup, and on Friday night it will allow the Gophers and St. Cloud State to meet for the only time this season.
Zach Parise said it's 50-50 if he can come back by Thursday night against Chicago. Meanwhile, the team continues to ask Darcy Keumper to try and keep the gate closed at goalie. So far, it's been a welcomed challenge.
Elliott Eliason has been forced to be patient as he prepared, grew into his body. What has emerged is a new player, a new coaching staff says it started not with basketball concepts but with off-the-court concepts.
January is a great time of the year for winter sports in Minnesota. It's when many individuals and teams begin to define themselves, and in many cases, separate themselves. She can shoot the basketball, and has some teammates that can do the same. It's why Centennial's Jasmine Bretoi is our ASPIRE Athlete of the Week.
And while Hockey Day in Minnesota isn't until Friday, some great games were played Friday night. Check out a few of the hockey clips and other winter sport highlights.
Josh Harding and Zach Parise are working on getting in game shape as the Wild are working on winning their sixth in seven games with Ottawa in town. Harding is making progress, hoping to be back soon. However, he's not getting specific about his illness issues. He has multiple sclerosis.
Andrew Rohkohl says he's been working at being a goalie since he was a little kid. "It's been a dream, really," Rohkohl said. "And it takes a lot of effort to get to this place." He has become a part of the nucleus of a team that leans on veterans, according to Edina hockey coach and former NHL defensemen Curt Giles. "He's a smart kid," Giles said. "The thing with him is he fits in perfectly. I mean, we got a good class of seniors with good leadership."
On Friday, we sent David McCoy to watch Hopkins take on Maranatha Christian Academy. We've got that game, and loads of other winter sports highlights.
On Saturday at Target Center, Cretin-Derham Hall played Bettendorf from Iowa. They lost, but Sam Neumann made a statement to anyone in attendance: He can shoot. The junior had a 39 point day.
Craig Bohl is coaching his final game at North Dakota State University on Saturday as the Bison face Towson in the FCS title game. Next stop: Taking over the football program at Wyoming. But what a ride it has been in Fargo.
