1390 THE FAN

Gopher Basketball Hosts #6 Michigan State Tonight (poll)

Jay Caldwell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:48:02 +0000

The Gopher men’s basketball team hosts 6th ranked Michigan State at 7:30 tonight, pregame on AM 1390-the Fan at 7:00. Minnesota is 5-9 in the Big Ten and needing a win while Michigan State is 11-3 in the Big Ten and in contention for a #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. The Gophers are barely on the bubble for a NCAA tournament berth with a 17-10 overall record.

St. Cloud NWL Team to Unveil Logo, Team Name

Jay Caldwell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:45:53 +0000

Gary Posch and Joe Sexton - Picture by Jim Maurice

The St. Cloud Northwoods League baseball team, formally known as the River Bats, will reveal its new team name, logo and colors Tuesday February 28 at 7pm at Legends Bar and Grill in the St. Cloud Holiday Inn. The event is free and open to the public. Merchandise and season ticket options will be available at the event.

St. Cloud Vice President Scott Schreiner says they received “1,200 suggestions for a team name”. The Northwoods League season begins for St. Cloud on May 30. The home opener for St. Cloud is June 2 against Mankato at 7:05.

Boys Hockey Playoffs; Sartell Beats Apollo

Jay Caldwell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:29:24 +0000

Section 6A Quarterfinals

Sartell-St. Stephen 3, Apollo 0
(Michael Whitson scored 2 goals and 1 assist and Christian Murray had a goal and 2 assists for the Sabres. Taylor Shaw had 29 saves to earn the shutout in net for Sartell. Reese Gregory had 32 saves for the Eagles. Sartell-St. Stephen will play Little Falls at 6pm at the MAC Saturday)

Section 8AA Quarterfinals

Brainerd 4, Tech 1
Bemidji 6, River Lakes 0

Adapted Hockey:

St. Cloud Slapshots 18, Wayzata 3 (St. Cloud is 8-1)

Boys Basketball Results; Sauk Rapids Downs Tech

Jay Caldwell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:24:47 +0000

Melissa Ullmann

Sauk Rapids-Rice 49, Tech 47
(Zack Haffner led the Storm with 13 points. Bryant Bohlig and Andy Foley each scored 13 points for Tech. The Tigers are 8-5 in the CLC and 13-10 overall)

Little Falls 75, Rocori 65
(Nate Meyer led the Spartans with 25 points)

Brainerd 75, Apollo 65 (overtime)
(Brett Maslonkowski led the Eagles with 16 points)

Fergus Falls 69, Sartell-St. Stephen 58
(Tim Immelman led the Sabres with 21 points)

Cathedral 74, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 67
(Bjorn Bjorklund led the Crusaders with 25 points. Cathedral is 17-5)

Providence 70, St. John’s Prep 60
Dassel-Cokato 58, Kimball 56

Girls Basketball Results; Foley Downs Cathedral

Jay Caldwell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:19:45 +0000

Foley 63, Cathedral 51
(Jenna Januschka led the Crusaders with 21 points and 11 rebounds)

Sartell-St. Stephen 68, Albany 50
(Abby Whitney led the Sabres with 18 points and 9 rebounds)

Monticello 68, Apollo 58
(Abby Notch led the Eagles with 16 points)

College Baseball: Johnnies Split With Valley City State

Jay Caldwell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:14:48 +0000

gojohnnies.com

St. John’s 2, Valley City State 0
Valley City State 2, St. John’s 1
(St. John’s is 1-1. Games were played at the Metrodome)

This Day in History for February 22 – 'Miracle on Ice' and More

Shauna Wright — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:00:44 +0000

Steve Powell, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1819 – By the Adams-Onís Treaty, Spain sells Florida to the United States for $5 million (More info)

1879 – In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many of five-and-dime Woolworth stores (More info)

1924 – President Calvin Coolidge becomes the first commander-in-chief to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House (More info)

1980 – In what would come to be called the Miracle on Ice, the US men’s hockey team beats the heavily-favored Soviet Union team 4-3 at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York (More info)

2006 – At least six men stage Britain’s largest robbery in history, stealing $92.5 million from a Securitas depot in Kent (More info)

Best Central Minnesota Golf Courses – Lee's Top Five

Lee Voss — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:28:23 +0000

It won’t be long and the birds will be singing, the flowers will be blooming and the grass will be “greening up.” It means golf season is near and with that, here is a look at my Top 5 area golf courses to play this year.

Rich Spring Golf Club

Between Cold Spring and Richmond along Highway 23

Rich Spring Golf Club is located just off of Highway 23 between Richmond and Cold spring. If you want a course where the layout is fair, the prices affordable and the people friendly and laid back then Rich Spring Golf Club is a great way to spend a Saturday. Nestled along the Sauk River Chain of Lakes, Rich Spring there is a nice mix of hazards without penalizing the weekend duffer. At $34 for 18 holes and a cart on weekends, Rich Spring is a must play.

See their Facebook Page

Book Your Tee Time

Website

Albion Ridges Golf Course

Located just south and east of Annandale, just off Highway 55

Albion Ridges Golf Course is located in Annandale and is probably not the first golf course you may think of visiting when setting plans to play. But, this central Minnesota gem is fastly becoming one of the best values of golf in the area. In fact, Albion Ridges was given a 4-star rating by Golf Digest for it’s layout, maintenance and golf value. For just over $40, you can play 18 holes with a cart and enjoy the rolling hills and undulating greens. Albion Ridges offers 27 holes of play. You can choose a combination of the Rock, Granite and Boulder courses.

Website

Blackberry Ridge Golf Club

In Sartell, just west of Pinecone Road on Clubhouse Road

Blackberry Ridge is an 18-hole Championship course located in Sartell. It’s a nice mix of tree-lined fairways coupled with some links-style golf. Blackberry can be as challenging as you want it with five sets of tees and 7,000 yards from the tips. It offers carts with GPS units that will give you yardage, scoring, distance to the pin and even the ability to order food from the Clubhouse. Blackberry isn’t the cheapest option at nearly $60 for a weekend loop with cart, but the course layout, manicured greens and the GPS carts make it a must play.

See their Facebook page

Website

Facebook

Pebble Creek Golf Club

Located in Becker off on Sherburne County Road 23

Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker comes in at number 2 on my list of places to play because it’s always well manicured, challenging and maybe most importantly….fair. Don’t get me wrong, there are hazards on this nearly 6,900 yard Championship Course (there is another 9 holes called the Local 9), but it’s not often you are penalized with a lost ball on that occasional wayward shot. The rough is thick, but playable. For $55, you can play 18 holes on a weekend with a cart. And, while it’s not the most affordable course on this list, it’s a Central Minnesota gem. Golf Digest rated Pebble Creek 4 1/2 stars and one of the best places to play.

Website

See their Facebook page

PebbleCreekGolf.com

Territory Golf Club

Just behind Coyote Moon Grill

Territory Golf Club, formerly known as The Fairways is my top pick. This 6,921 yard Championship Course has a little bit of everything. It is a unique combination of Scottish Links and forest-lined holes. The topography includes several elevation changes whether it is along the rolling fairways or elevated tee boxes. There is native grasses on some holes, wetlands along others. The majestic Elk River dissects the course which features undulating greens. The greens may be the fastest in central Minnesota, but you could argue they also roll the truest. Territory will challenge all of your shot making abilities, from bombing drives down wide fairways to firing irons at flagsticks. All that for $43.95 on weekends makes Territory Golf Club my Number 1 place to play this summer.

See their Facebook page

Website

TerritoryGC.com

Vikings Have An Agreement With U of M

Jay Caldwell — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:28:05 +0000

Getty Images

The Vikings have a struck a tentative agreement with the University of Minnesota on how much the Vikings would pay for use of TCF Bank Stadium while the Vikings Stadium is built near the Metrodome. The Vikings didn’t say much much they would pay per game but did say TCF Bank Stadium would add 3,000 temporary end zone seats to the University’s 50,000 seat stadium.

The Vikings paid one game at TCF Bank Stadium in 2010 when the Metrodome roof collapsed and paid the University $1.7 Million for that one game.

Denver Edges T-Wolves In Overtime

Jay Caldwell — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:19:45 +0000

Getty Images

The Timberwolves lost 103-101 in overtime at Denver Monday night. Arron Afflalo made the tie-breaking floater with :33 left in overtime. Kevin Love led the Wolves with 22 points and 13 rebounds, Michael Beasley added 17 points and Ricky Rubio chipped in 16 points and 5 assists for Minnesota. The Wolves shot 36 percent while Denver shot 40 percent from the field.

The Wolves are 16-17 while Denver improves to 18-15. Minnesota will host Utah at 7pm Wednesday, hear the game on WJON.

Prep Basketball Results; Pequot Lakes Downs Rocori

Jay Caldwell — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:14:58 +0000

Girls Basketball:

Pequot Lakes 70, Rocori 48
(Shaina Schmitz led the Spartans with 17 points)

Upsala 67, St. John’s Prep 27

Boys Basketball:

Kimball 62, Holdingford 50 (Kimball is 7-13)

Phil Mickelson, Pro Golfer, Hits Impossible Tee Shot Up a Fan's Shorts

Joe Student — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:30:55 +0000

Golfer Phil Mickelson did not win the Northern Trust Open this weekend, but nobody seems to care since he was able to become a YouTube sensation by landing a golf ball inside a fan’s shorts.

Mickelson hit his tee shot on the 15th hole wide and to the left when the ball careened into the gallery and bounced up the shorts of the onlooker.

The victim of this amazing accident didn’t get hurt. In fact, he got some free stuff out of it. He received a signed golf glove from Mickelson, a story to tell for the rest of his life, and now he’s a YouTube star among the ranks of Rebecca Black. Who could ask for anything more?

Source: TheFW.com

Twins Start Workouts In Fort Myers

Jay Caldwell — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:31:44 +0000

Getty Images

The Twins began spring training workouts in Fort Myers, Florida with pitchers and catchers on Sunday. Pitchers and catchers needed to report on Saturday and began workouts on Sunday. Carl Pavano will be the opening day starter on the mound for the Twins. The other starting spots in the rotation will almost certainly go to Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Jason Marquis.

The Twins added Marquis in free agency. Other starting pitching options are Anthony Swarzak, Brian Duensing and Liam Hendriks. The Twins full squad needs to report by Thursday with the first workout scheduled for Friday.

Timberwolves, Love Edge 76ers By 1

Jay Caldwell — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:18:17 +0000

Getty Images

The Timberwolves won 92-91 over Philadelphia Sunday night. Kevin Love made 2 free throws with less than 1 second left. Ricky Rubio led the Wolves with a career high 22 points and 5 assists, Kevin Love added 20 points with 15 rebounds and Nikola Pekovic had 17 points.

Minnesota is 16-16 and will play at Denver tonight at 8:00, pregame on WJON at 7:30.

Wild Blank Boston 2-0; Re-Sign Brodziak

Jay Caldwell — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:10:15 +0000

Getty Images

The Wild downed Boston 2-0 Sunday afternoon to end their 7-game losing streak. Chad Rau and Matt Cullen each scored a goal for Minnesota and Niklas Backstrom had 48 saves for the Wild to get the shutout in net. Minnesota was outshot 48-29.

The Wild are 26-24-9 and with 61 points are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota will play at Florida Thursday night at 6:30, pregame on AM 1390-the Fan at 6:05.

The Wild have re-signed center Kyle Brodziak to a 3-game contract extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. He has 15 goals and 14 assists for the Wild this season.

Wild center Warren Peters was suspended for Sunday’s game against Boston for cross-checking a St. Louis player in the head. The incident happened Saturday in St. Louis.

Johnnie Sports Update; Hockey Seeded #3

Jay Caldwell — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:33:29 +0000

gojohnnies.com

The St. John’s hockey team is seeded 3rd in the upcoming MIAC men’s hockey tournament and will play at 2nd seeded Gustavus Saturday at 7:30pm. St. John’s finished the regular season with a 9-7-0 record in the MIAC and 11-12-2 overall mark.

The St. John’s basketball team is seeded 5th in the MIAC tournament and will play at #4 seed Augsburg at 7:30 Wednesday night. St. John’s finished the regular season 11-9 in the MIAC and 15-10 overall.

Men’s Tennis:

Carleton 6, St. John’s 3 (Johnnies are 1-5 overall)

Blues Blank Wild 4-0

Jay Caldwell — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:34:27 +0000

Getty Images

The Minnesota Wild lost their 7th straight game 4-0 against St. Louis Saturday afternoon. Josh Harding had 30 saves for the Wild. Minnesota was outshot 34-13. The Wild allowed 1 goal in the first period, 2 in the 2nd and 1 more in the 3rd.

Minnesota is 25-24-9 overall and are in 12th place in the Western Conference.

SCSU Basketball Swept at U of Mary

Jay Caldwell — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:25:52 +0000

SCSU Athletics

The St. Cloud State men’s and women’s basketball team were swept at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota Saturday. The SCSU men lost 79-72 after the SCSU women lost 67-50. The SCSU men led 40-27 at halftime but were outscored 52-32 in the 2nd half. Brett Putz led the Huskies with 19 points and Theo Rothstein added 16 points for St. Cloud State. The SCSU men drop to 15-6 in the NSIC and 19-6 overall.

The SCSU women trailed 43-25 at halftime. Jessica Benson led the Huskies with 12 points. SCSU is 13-12 overall and 10-11 in the NSIC.

SCSU Hockey Pounds Alaska-Anchorage

Jay Caldwell — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:18:03 +0000

SCSU Athletics

The St. Cloud State men’s hockey team pounded Alaska-Anchorage 8-3 Saturday night to get a split in the weekend series. SCSU lost 3-2 in overtime to Anchorage Friday night. Travis Novak and David Eddy each scored 2 goals for the Huskies. Ryan Faragher had 28 saves for SCSU in the net.

SCSU improves to 13-15-4 overall and 10-11-13 in the WCHA. SCSU plays at Michigan Tech next Friday and Saturday.

SCSU Men's Hockey Falls to UAA in Overtime

Jay Caldwell — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:26:51 +0000

SCSU Athletics

The St. Cloud State men’s hockey team lost 3-2 in overtime Friday night to Alaska-Anchorage. Jared Rabey and Ben Hanowski each scored a goal for SCSU. Hanowski’s goal tied the game at 2 in the 3rd period. Mike Lee had 29 saves for the Huskies.

SCSU is 12-15-4 overall and 9-11-3 in the WCHA. The Huskies host Alaska-Anchorage again tonight at 7:07.