Sports & Outdoors

Kaprizov scores two goals, Wild hang another loss on Lightning

Kaprizov scores two goals, Wild hang another loss on Lightning

railing early, the Wild erased the deficit and Kirill Kaprizov posted a pair of dramatic goals in the third period, producing a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, and improving to 3-0-0 this season versus teams from the Sunshine State.

Vikings vs. Colts: What to know ahead of the Week 9 matchup

Vikings vs. Colts: What to know ahead of the Week 9 matchup

What to know when the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night:

Wild return from longest road trip near top of Western Conference

Wild return from longest road trip near top of Western Conference

The Wild are back from their longest road spell of the season and ready to play at home again for the first time since Oct. 12. It was a good trip.

Minnesota went 5-1-1 during a seven-game string of road games that ended with a five-game swing through Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania. One of those games was a 4-2 victory at Tampa Bay, and the Lightning will be looking for revenge when the teams drop the puck on Friday at Xcel Energy Center.

Frost begin second season Dec. 1 at Xcel Energy Center

Frost begin second season Dec. 1 at Xcel Energy Center

The defending champion Minnesota Frost will begin their second PWHL season at home with a 5 p.m. puck drop against the New York Sirens at Xcel Energy Center on Dec. 1, the first of an expanded 30-game schedule.
Minnesota, officially named the Frost on Sept. 9, won the league’s inaugural Walter Cup on May 29 after a 25-game schedule.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Wild leave a mark in Pittsburgh

Marc-Andre Fleury, Wild leave a mark in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH—There were flowers, arranged in a large “29,” waiting for Marc-Andre Fleury at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night. And during the first TV break, a tribute video recounting his 13 years as the Penguins’ goalie that earned him a standing ovation.

Yes, the Penguins and their fans made the Wild goalie more than welcome in his final appearance on the ice he called home for 13 years. And all he did was break their hearts.

Yet when it was over, Fleury was the one in tears.

“Told you I was getting soft,” he said.

Vikings acquire left tackle Cam Robinson in trade with Jaguars

Vikings acquire left tackle Cam Robinson in trade with Jaguars

It didn’t take long for the Vikings to find a replacement for injured left tackle Christian Darrisaw.

Jared Spurgeon returns to Wild practice

Jared Spurgeon returns to Wild practice

The team captain has been sidelined by issues related to his recovery from winter surgeries. By John Shipley, Pioneer Press – October 25, 2024 Defenseman Jared Spurgeon practiced with the Wild on Friday in Philadelphia, his first since he was sidelined after two regular-season games. The team captain was flown to Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon to meet the team after its 4-2 victory at Tampa Bay. The Wild have started the season with a seven-game points streak (5-0-2) and were […]

Wild finally trail in regulation but rally to beat Tampa Bay, 4-2

Wild finally trail in regulation but rally to beat Tampa Bay, 4-2

Kirill Kaprizov scored twice, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 23 of 25 shots for his first win of the season. By John Shipley, Pioneer Press – October 24, 2024 The Wild’s run of not trailing in regulation came to an end Tuesday night in Tampa Bay. Their season-starting points streak did not. Minnesota trailed, 2-1, in the second period, ending the NHL’s second-longest such run to start a season, but Kirill Kaprizov scored twice and Marc-Andre Fleury earned the win for […]

Five takeaways from the Vikings’ 30-20 loss to Rams

Five takeaways from the Vikings’ 30-20 loss to Rams

The most recent loss was filled with warning signs about the rest of the season. By Dane Mizutani, Pioneer Press – October 25, 2024 INGLEWOOD, Calif.—In a span of 96 hours this week, the Vikings watched things go slightly off the rails, their 5-0 record quickly slumping to 5-2 record. After a 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings suffered a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night at SoFi […]

Wild roll defending champion Florida, 5-1

Wild roll defending champion Florida, 5-1

Minnesota got goals from five different players, and Filip Gustavsson stopped 24 of 25 shots By John Shipley, Pioneer Press – October 23, 2024 Before the season started, the Wild answered a lot of questions about starting better than they did last fall, when they won just three of their first 10 games and spent the rest of the season vainly chasing a playoff spot. Yes, the players agreed, we need to start better this season — and now they’re […]

Vikings fall to Lions 31-29 in first loss of season

Vikings fall to Lions 31-29 in first loss of season

By Dane Mizutani, Pioneer Press – October 20, 2024 As the Vikings prepared for Sunday’s highly anticipated game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium, defensive coordinator Brian Flores was asked how he planned to attack a potent offense on the other end. He paused for a few seconds. “I like to fight fire with fire,” Flores said. “That would be my answer.” That’s exactly what the Vikings did. They fought fire with fire for as long as they […]

Wild make unique history in win over Blue Jackets

Wild make unique history in win over Blue Jackets

By Mike Santa Barbara, Yardbarker – 10/19/24 The Minnesota Wild improved to 3-0-2 on Saturday following a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, making unique NHL history in the process. According to NHL public relations, the Wild are only the fifth team in league history to never trail in regulation through the first five games of a season. Minnesota joins the 2015-16 Montreal Canadiens, 1990-91 Boston Bruins, 1969-79 Bruins and 1930-31 Toronto Maple Leafs. That’s a victory and points […]

Walz’s DNR funds ‘trans nonbinary naturalist’s’ outdoor excursions for kids to explore ‘intersection of queerness and nature’

Walz’s DNR funds ‘trans nonbinary naturalist’s’ outdoor excursions for kids to explore ‘intersection of queerness and nature’

No straight students allowed—and parents are asked not to attend. By Hayley Feland, Alpha News – October 20, 2024 Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) funds a program catering to youth as young as 11 to “explore the intersection of queerness and nature.” The DNR gave $10,500 to Clean River Partners to fund a program called QUEERY (Queer Unity, Environmental Education, and Recreation for Youth), led by a “trans-nonbinary naturalist” named Heron Mahr, The Daily Wire first […]

Wild dealt mixed bag of injury updates ahead of tonight's matchup with Columbia

Wild dealt mixed bag of injury updates ahead of tonight’s matchup with Columbia

By Colin Gallant, MSN – October 19, 2025 The Minnesota Wild were dealt a piece of good news and a piece of bad news ahead of a trip to Nationwide Arena to play the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joel Eriksson Ek, who missed the past two games with a broken nose, returned to practice on Thursday and will be an option on Saturday night in Ohio. That’s excellent news for the Wild. But the squad will be without captain Jared Spurgeon […]

Vikings officially list running back Aaron Jones as questionable for Lions game

Vikings officially list running back Aaron Jones as questionable for Lions game

He seems to be trending in the right direction with the Vikings set to host the Detroit Lions. By Dane Mizutani, Pioneer Press – October 18, 2024 It seems as if veteran running back Aaron Jones is trending in the right direction with the Vikings set to host the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. He has been listed as questionable by the Vikings ahead of the matchup. Asked for more details about Jones and his hamstring […]

WNBA Finals: Lynx tip Liberty and extend their season to winner-take-all Game 5

WNBA Finals: Lynx tip Liberty and extend their season to winner-take-all Game 5

Bridget Carleton’s two free throws with two seconds left wins another nail-biter in WNBA Finals. By Mike Cook, Pioneer Press – October 19, 2024 Forty likely heart-pounding minutes. That’s how close the Minnesota Lynx are to the franchise’s fifth WNBA title. Bridget Carleton made a pair of free throws with 2 seconds left and the Lynx were able to stave off elimination by beating New York 82-80 on Friday in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals in front of 19,210 […]

Youth deer and early antlerless-only deer hunting seasons now thru Oct. 20

Youth deer and early antlerless-only deer hunting seasons now thru Oct. 20

October 17, 2024 Minnesota’s youth deer season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20. The season coincides with statewide teacher workshops, so many Minnesota students don’t have school during the youth season. There’s also the early antlerless-only deer season Oct. 17-20. The season increases opportunities for hunters in deer permit areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of chronic wasting disease. Permit areas open during the hunt are […]

Field reports: What Minnesota deer hunters can expect this season

Field reports: What Minnesota deer hunters can expect this season

October 14, 2024 More than 400,000 deer hunters are preparing for the firearms deer season that opens Saturday, Nov. 9. The season offers opportunities to spend time outdoors with friends and family, find adventure and put venison in the freezer. Deer hunting is the primary tool used to manage deer populations, and hunters help keep deer numbers in line with population goals across the state. Managing deer populations contributes to the overall health of Minnesota’s landscapes, natural systems and economy. […]

What you need to know about the Twins’ new television deal

What you need to know about the Twins’ new television deal

By Betsy Helfand, Pioneer Press – October 11, 2024 At long last, the Twins have a new television home. Twins games had been on Bally Sports North (previously Fox Sports North) since 2005, but starting next season, Major League Baseball will produce and distribute Twins games. It’s a move that will expand the team’s reach through the Upper Midwest and make games easier to watch for many. But what does this mean and how will this work? Here’s a list […]

Matt Boldy, second line pace season-opening victory over Columbus

Matt Boldy, second line pace season-opening victory over Columbus

Boldy had a goal and two assists, and Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves in Minnesota’s 3-2 victory. By John Shipley, Pioneer Press – October 11, 2024 The Wild took Matt Boldy off their top line this season in order to spread the scoring touch around their top three lines. Early returns indicate it was a good move. Boldy, playing right wing with center Joel Eriksson Ek and left wing Marcus Johansson, had a goal and two assists as the second […]

Wild blow out Chicago in last preseason tune-up

Wild blow out Chicago in last preseason tune-up

Six different players scored goals as Wild complete their preseason slate with a 6-1 victory over the Blackhawks. October 4, 2024 Ready or not, the next time the Wild practice it will be game week. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 21 of 22 shots in a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in their sixth and final preseason game Friday at United Center. Marco Rossi, Jonas Brodin, Brock Faber, Marcus Johansson and Kirill […]

Stephon Gilmore’s late interception helps Vikings escape with 23-17 win over Jets

Stephon Gilmore’s late interception helps Vikings escape with 23-17 win over Jets

It was fitting that the defense stepped up when the Vikings needed it most. October 6, 2024 After a slugfest of a game across the pond, the Vikings walked onto the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London knowing it needed to keep future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers out of the end zone. They had seen this movie many times before with Rodgers often getting the best of them. Not this time. Not on Sunday. In the biggest […]

Vikings ruin Giants’ centennial season opener

Vikings ruin Giants’ centennial season opener

Minnesota dominates New York on both sides of the ball. By Terry Carlson – September 8, 2024 Can you hear the crowd chant? “Van Ginkel! Van Ginkel! Van Ginkel!!” Well, maybe not just yet. In the most unlikely play of the game, Andrew Van Ginkel scored a spectacular one-handed Pick Six on a one-handed line-drive pass from New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones late in the third quarter that caused booing New York fans to head for the exits. That […]

NER swimmers rely on youth

NER swimmers rely on youth

By Tom Coombe, Ely Echo Northeast Range/Ely won’t have as much experience as most, if not all of its high school girls swimming opponents this fall. In fact, the Nighthawks may field the youngest team in Section 7A. But that’s just fine with head coach Cheri DeBeltz, who says the 2024 season, which started last week with the Rock Ridge Relays, may have a different purpose than in previous years. “I think our goals this year will be figuring out […]