WJONAM

The Granite City Lumberjacks downed Flint, Michigan 3-2 Sunday night to finish pool play 2-1 and advance to the NA3HL title game in Geneva, Illinois today at 12:30 against St. Louis. Trevor Ness scored the game-winning goal for the Lumberjacks against Flint. Track the Lumberjacks on their website lumberjackshockey.com.

It has happened to me more times than I care to count. In fact, it is such a common occurrence during the late spring and summer months that I have grown to accept it and expect it. Just when I think I have the bite figured out, the fish up and move. Big water walleye are roamers, plain and simple. They are nomadic in nature and will be on one piece of structure for a few hours and then be gone. R

The Twins pounded the Pirates 15-3 Saturday afternoon in exhibition play in Florida. Anthony Swarzak threw 6 innings with 6 hits and 1 earned run allowed to get the win. Brian Dozier had 3 hits and 4 RBIs, Joe Mauer drove in 4 runs and Trevor Plouffe had 3 hits and 2 RBIs playing 2nd base.

The Minnesota Wild downed the L.A. Kings 4-3 in an overtime shootout Saturday night. Minnesota won 2-0 in the shootout with goals from Erik Christensen and Mikko Koivu. Darrell Powe, Nick Johnson and Erik Christensen each scored a goal in regulation. Niklas Backstrom had 26 saves for the Wild.

The Granite City Lumberjacks play in the Tier 3 NA3HL final four in Geneva, Illinois today through Sunday. They are guaranteed 3 games and could play a 4th if they qualify for the finals. The Lumberjacks play at 4:30 today against St. Louis, tomorrow against Toledo at 4:30 and Sunday against Flint at 5:30. The championship game will be Monday.

The Gopher men's basketball team lost 75-51 in the NIT title game to Stanford Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Minnesota trailed by 6 at halftime and were quickly down double figures early in the 2nd half. Rodney Williams led the Gophers with 12 points before fouling out. Joe Coleman and Austin Hollins each had 10 points and Andre Hollins scored just 4 points before fouling out for Minnesota.

The Wild won 3-2 in overtime against Carolina Thursday night. Mikko Koivu scored the game-winning goal just 15 seconds into overtime. Kyle Brodziak and Erik Christensen each scored a goal for Minnesota and Niklas Backstrom had 25 saves for the Wild.

St. Cloud State goaltender Mike Lee is forgoing his senior season at SCSU after signing a 3-year entry level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. He was drafted by the Coyotes in the 3rd round in 2009. Financial considerations were not disclosed. Lee had a record of 8-6-2 with a 2.23 goals against average and a .930 save percentage in 16 games this season at SCSU.

The Twins downed Pittsburgh in Bradenton, Florida 11-6 Thursday afternoon. Brian Dinkelman went 3-4 with a homerun and 4 RBIs and Brian Dozier went 3-5 with a homerun and 3 RBIs for Minnesota. Matt Maloney got the start on the mound and threw 3 innings with 1 earned run allowed for the Twins.

The Gopher men's basketball team will play Stanford tonight in the NIT Championship game at Madison Square Garden in New York at 6pm, pregame on AM 1390-the Fan at 5:30. Minnesota is 23-14 while Stanford is 25-11. The Gophers are coming off a 68-67 overtime win over Washington Tuesday night.