Recent content from Jerry Zgoda

Late penalty shot, overtime goal lift Wisconsin over Ohio State for women's hockey national title
Kirsten Simms scored the tying goal with 18.9 seconds left after officials awarded the Badgers a penalty shot, then she scored again early in OT.

A Gophers great is back again, in Minnesota and in the NCAA Women's Frozen Four final
Nadine Muzerall, the leading goal scorer in U history, will coach Ohio State in the championship game for the fourth consecutive time.
Gophers sink again against Badgers, this time in the Women's Frozen Four semifinals
Wisconsin defeated Minnesota for the sixth time this season, the 6-2 result in line with most of the others.

Now or never: Gophers hope to finally break through vs. Wisconsin at Women's Frozen Four
Minnesota is 0-5 against the Badgers, but that frustration would fade quickly with a win Friday in the NCAA semifinals.

Wolves lose to Pacers 132-130 in OT, ending eight-game winning streak
The Wolves lost for the first time in March to an Indiana team playing without starters Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith.

Gophers women's hockey team sinks Colgate, wins spot in Frozen Four right at home
Minnesota will play top seed Wisconsin in the NCAA semifinals in Ridder Arena.

Gophers women's hockey came so close to Frozen Four last year. Now, Colgate stands in their way.
With 101-career goal scorer Murphy leading the charge, the Gophers are determined to produce a better NCAA quarterfinal outcome.

St. Thomas falls to Omaha in Summit League final that didn't come with NCAA invite
The Tommies, in their final year of probation after moving up from Division III to D-I, aren't eligible for the postseason until 2026.

Gophers women's hockey team to face Colgate in NCAA quarterfinals
The 11-team NCAA women's hockey tournament bracket was unveiled Sunday, and the Gophers will host one of four regionals.

Gophers and Minnesota Duluth gear up for WCHA Final Faceoff
Minnesota will take on Ohio State again, and UMD faces No. 1 Wisconsin on Friday at Amsoil Arena.

Timberwolves cruise against 76ers, as expected and therefore not as usual
Anthony Edwards stopped scoring at halftime, but his teammates kept going and avoided the pitfall of losing to a team they should beat.

3M extends title sponsorship of PGA Tour event in Blaine through 2030
The 3M Open has been an annual event on the July calendar at TPC Twin Cities since 2019.

Gophers hope they are beginning their march toward the NCAA Women's Frozen Four
The Gophers women's hockey team finished the regular season 25-9-1. Next is the WCHA playoffs and maybe the Frozen Four.

Wolves fall 130-123 to West-leading Thunder, who get hot in fourth quarter from deep
Oklahoma City used a string of three-pointers in the final quarter to pull ahead for good Sunday night and avenge a Feb. 13 loss at Minnesota.

Thunder's Holmgren has been able to spend plenty of time in his hometown lately
Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren stayed for a long weekend in Minnesota after Oklahoma City lost to the Wolves before the All-Star break, and he was back this weekend with the Thunder.

St. Thomas men's basketball has the spotlight, but the women are surging, too
"We are a way different team than we were three weeks ago," St. Thomas senior guard Jade Hill said.

St. Thomas takes over first place in Summit League with men's basketball victory over Omaha
The Tommies, who got 23 points from Drake Dobbs, protected a lead they took midway through the first half.

Shooting guard saw the vision for St. Thomas basketball. Now he preaches it himself.
Tommies coach Johnny Tauer recruited Ben Nau when the program was just starting to make the transition from Division III to Division I.

Timberwolves, lacking Edwards among others, roar past Trail Blazers
A huge run in the final minutes settled it as their star sat out because of a sore hip and Rob Dillingham stood in for injured Mike Conley at the point.

Edwards, Conley will miss Timberwolves' game Saturday night vs. Portland
Edwards has a sore right hip, and Conley has a sprained finger.

Gophers softball aims for NCAA tournament, as new season begins Friday in Tempe, Ariz.
The Gophers need to replace Jess Oakland, who transferred to Duke. They'll be counting on Sydney Schwartz and Taylor Krapf.

Edwards turns up ill, and Wolves flop against the NBA's worst team
The Wolves ended a five-game streak, and the Wizards ended a 16-game skid and won for only the seventh time this season.

Edwards will miss Timberwolves game Saturday vs. Wizards because of illness
Julius Randle remains out because of a groin injury that will cost him "more than a few days," but Mike Conley is back.

New St. Thomas women's hockey coach Brausen has Roseville and Gophers roots
Bethany Brausen learned the game from Roseville legend Winny Brodt, along with Gophers women's hockey coach Brad Frost.

Wolves give Grizzlies too many chances, and the final one sinks them
Donte DiVincenzo busted loose for 27 points, but Memphis pushed back late and won 127-125 on Ja Morant's heroics.

Former Gophers soccer star Harper signs NWSL deal
Khyah Harper, who scored 17 goals for the Gophers as a senior, has joined NJ/NY Gotham FC, one of the top teams in the NWSL.

Edwards scores 37 points to lead Wolves past Clippers
Donte DiVincenzo replaced Mike Conley in the starting lineup, and the Wolves snapped a three-game skid.

Wolves make lineup change, with DiVincenzo starting in place of Conley
Two days after Timberwolves coach Chris Finch defended keeping the same starting five, he changed his lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night at Target Center.

Injuries, illness and suspension plague Frost in shutout loss to Sirens
The Frost fell behind early Saturday afternoon and could not recover against New York.

First-place Minnesota Frost back home vs. New York Sirens
The Minnesota Frost are coming off an overtime victory against the Boston Fleet.

Gophers men's hockey gets Pahlsson back for Mercyhurst series
Gophers forwards Oliver Moore and Brodie Ziemer remain with Team USA at the World Junior championships.

Timberwolves handle Spurs, showing off the spoils of the KAT trade
A problem with the court led to a tipoff delay, and Minnesota trailed by 15 points early, before Donte DiVincenzo led a rally.

Timberwolves make it a game, until Curry makes it a loss
Anthony Edwards was left frustrated by the officiating after the Wolves surged back only to lose when Golden State's star went on a shooting tear.

Five Minnesota Frost players to watch this season
The Minnesota Frost have a loaded roster with high-end goal scorers, strong defenders and two Olympic goaltenders. Here's a sampling:

Timberwolves claw back against Clippers, end losing streak at four games
The frenzied final seconds go Minnesota's way, producing a victory in the aftermath of Anthony Edwards' candid comments about the team.

Minnesota Frost, aka 'Team Turmoil,' can't wait for PWHL Season Two
After winning the first PWHL championship, Minnesota fired its GM and made a controversial draft pick. But players relished their Walter Cup celebrations, and now everyone's ready for Season Two.

Gophers' top scorer Lamb avoids long-term injury from knee-to-knee collision
Gophers men's hockey coach Bob Motzko said, "We're very fortunate there's no ligament damage," for Brody Lamb, who collided with Notre Dame's Justin Janicke last Friday.

Gophers standout Braun out indefinitely with broken foot bone again
Junior Mara Braun rebroke the same bone in her foot as last season, so the 6-0 Gophers will be without their leading scorer and top overall player.

Hockey now, medical school later: Frost's Thompson has a plan
The Minnesota Frost chose Claire Thompson with the third overall pick in the PWHL draft, knowing they were getting a member of the Canadian national team and a future doctor.

Timberwolves' failure north of border continues with loss to Raptors
The Wolves fell apart in the fourth quarter and have not won in Toronto in two decades.
![The Gophers' Mason Nevers (18) takes a shot against Bemidji State on Nov. 14 at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@star](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/E6REA2FOE5EVHDRAXHOFYFOMNI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Gophers men's hockey heads back on road for series at Notre Dame
The No. Gophers had a nine-game winning streak snapped last Saturday at Bemidji State and and will look to bounce back against a struggling Notre Dame team.

Wolves sink Suns on Randle's last-second three-pointer
After trailing from the first basket to the final 69 ticks, the Timberwolves defeated a Phoenix team that lacked key players but had Devin Booker, who scored 44 points.

Minnesota's PWHL champion begins camp amid change, with name: Frost
The Minnesota Frost has a larger staff than did PWHL Minnesota, plus newly branded gear, a longer season and, of course, the Walter Cup trophy.

Gophers men's hockey takes eight-game winning streak into Bemidji State series
The Gophers have climbed to No. 3 nationally after Jimmy Snuggerud led them to a sweep last weekend at Wisconsin.

Challenged further by new volleyball teams in expanded Big Ten, Gophers fall to Oregon
Minnesota lost its second match in a row against a conference newcomer from the West, and coach Keegan Cook summed up the competition this way: "If you haven't experienced it, it can be a little overwhelming."

Driven by Edwards' 37 points, Wolves establish superiority three points at a time against Portland
The Timberwolves made 22 three-pointers in 50 tries, keeping a lead large enough that their star didn't play in the fourth quarter.

Gophers freshmen defensemen Gruba, Whipple forced to grow up fast
Junior defenseman Cal Thomas, injured last Friday against Penn State, will miss this weekend's series at Wisconsin, so Leo Gruba and John Whipple will be counted upon again.

Wolves' back-to-back assignment proves challenging against the Spurs
The Timberwolves had defeated the Nuggets on Friday, then traveled to Texas, arriving at their hotel at 4:30 a.m.

Snuggerud's two goals help Gophers cruise past Penn State in men's hockey
The junior standout had four assists last weekend against St. Thomas. On Friday, he was more about putting pucks in nets himself.

Timberwolves' Conley bothered by pesky left wrist injury
"When I'm 50, I'll get surgery, not right now," the 37-year-old said ahead of his team's matchup against the Nuggets.

Nuggets face Wolves in rematch of last year's playoff series
Broadcast information, injury report and key players.

Gophers goalie Souliere transfers in from Penn State, helping form solid new duo
Nathan Airey has been starting the first game each weekend for the Gophers, with Liam Souliere getting the second game. That should continue this weekend vs. Penn State.

Gophers soccer has spring in its step, hosting Big Ten tourney after 12-3-3 regular season
The Gophers will face Penn State in a first-round match Thursday and potentially UCLA on Sunday, all at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul.

Timberwolves relive the playoff lows and highs with games against Dallas, Denver
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks are at Target Center on Tuesday night, and the Nuggets will be in town on Friday.

Timberwolves-Mavericks game preview: Broadcast information, injury report, key players
The teams met last season in the Western Conference finals, and Dallas ended the Wolves' season.

Barrage of goals sends Gophers men's hockey over St. Thomas
The Tommies scored first on Friday night, but the Gophers scored again and again and again.

Gophers' experiment leads to high-powered line: Clark, Kurth and Wood
The Gophers men's hockey team is getting production from all four lines, but one in particular has stood out through the season's first four games.

Lynx and Liberty head to WNBA Finals Game 5, laden with drama
This is the eighth time in WBNA history that finalists have played it down to the end. Cheryl Reeve will be there for the sixth time.

WNBA Finals: Liberty-Lynx Game 5 preview, TV information, injury report
The best-of-five series is tied 2-2, and it'll be settled Sunday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

From Las Vegas to Duluth, Gophers men's hockey adventure continues
The team returns from the Ice Breaker Tournament in Las Vegas to play a good old-fashioned two-game series against rival Minnesota Duluth.

Gophers women's hockey carries momentum into key home series vs. No. 1 Wisconsin
Minnesota, led by senior star Abbey Murphy, is ranked No. 3 after a highly competitive series at No. 2 Ohio State.

Reigning PWHL champ Minnesota Frost to start new 30-game season Dec. 1
The team formerly known as PWHL Minnesota is starting one month earlier than last season, when it won the Walter Cup.

Liberty heads to Minnesota to face Lynx in WNBA Finals after avoiding another collapse
Breanna Stewart rallied her team to victory after being the goat in Game 1. Now it boils down to a best-of-three series, with the Lynx holding home-court advantage.

The hard road to the WNBA Finals finds survivors in the Lynx, Liberty
The Lynx are appearing in their record seventh Finals and have four league titles. The New York Liberty have never won the championship but are in the Finals for the sixth time.

Snuggerud stayed with Gophers to win a title; Motzko thinks this group can do it
The Gophers men's hockey season opens Friday night in Las Vegas vs. Air Force with a team brimming in confidence and top defensemen.

Naz Reid gets more versatile for Timberwolves
The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year is noted for scoring off the bench, but playmaking is definitely in his tool kit.

Bookmyer, Kimining win Twin Cities Marathon on blustery day
A year after the marathon was canceled because of excessive heat, the event went off Sunday in conditions runners called "perfect" and "beautiful." Molly Bookmyer won the women's competition and Shadrack Kimining won the men's.

Mantz, feeling chased the whole way, wins the Twin Cities 10-mile men's title
Conner Mantz, who finished eighth in the Paris Olympics marathon, felt the presence of Eritrean steeplechaser Yemane Haileselaisse down to the final mile before pulling away to win by nine seconds.

Loons beat Vancouver 1-0 to continue late-season push toward playoffs
Hassani Dotson scored on a first-half penalty kick and the Loons made it hold up on the road in their penultimate game of the season.

From Canada, and still just 17, Primerano is a budding star for Gophers women's hockey
Chloe Primerano arrived to the Gophers with a lot of hype and delivered immediately in the team's opening sweep.

The gloves are off: Intensity in Lynx-Sun playoff series goes up a notch with every game
The WNBA best-of-five semifinal is tied at one after the Lynx prevailed in a physical Game 2.

Yeboah scores twice, Loons shut out Colorado 3-0
Kelvin Yeboah on Saturday scored his sixth and seventh goals - in just six games since he signed with Minnesota as a designated player in late July.

Connecticut Sun next foe for Lynx in WNBA playoffs
The second round, best-of-five series starts Sunday night at Target Center.

Can Gophers women's hockey supplant Ohio State, Wisconsin this season?
Three transfers and seven freshmen are new to a Gophers team that went 27-10-2 last season and lost a four-overtime NCAA tournament thriller to Clarkson.

No Caitlin Clark, but Big Ten schedule has new challenges for Gophers
The Gophers went 20-16 overall and 5-13 in the Big Ten last season. Now the conference boasts UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington.