Author: David Shama

The Vikings will open a season on Monday Night Football for only the third time in franchise history when they play at Green Bay on September 8 in an ESPN televised game.  In the franchise’s other two MNF games the Vikings played at Detroit on September 20, 1971 and Minnesota was at Washington on September 11, 2006.  The Vikings won both games by three points, with the 2006 game being Brad Childress’ debut as the team’s head coach. The complete 2008 Vikings schedule will be announced later this month.

Two players who are impressing sideline observers at Gopher spring football practices with improved physiques are sophomore quarterback Adam Weber and junior guard Otis Hudson.  Both could be impact players this fall for Minnesota.

John Sherman is proving journalists can do more than report and write about sports. The Sun Newspapers sportswriter coached the Minnesota Transitions team to the Class 1A championship game in the boys’ state tournament last week.

Winona State, 38-1, earned its second national championship in three years last Saturday coming back after trailing Augusta State 53-37 in the first half before winning the game 87-76. It was the second largest comeback ever in an NCAA Division II championship game. Winona State qualified for the title game by beating two undefeated teams earlier in the tournament, 67-54 over Grand Valley State in the quarterfinals on Wednesday and an 86-75 semifinal win against Bentley on Thursday. Grand Valley State defeated Michigan State in an exhibition game last fall.

The Division II Bulletin publication named Winona State senior center John Smith the Division II Bulletin Player of the Year. Smith, who also won the award in 2007, scored 17.7 points and averaged 8.6 rebounds per game for the Warriors, and also blocked 103 shots during the regular season. He was named the NSIC Most Valuable Player.

Coach Mike Leaf of Winona State was named the 2008 Molten/Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year.  He was also the publication’s Coach of the Year in 2006.

Canterbury Park begins live racing on Saturday, May 3, the same day as the Kentucky Derby.

Although the Twins have asked potential staff ace Francisco Liriano to start the season in the minor leagues, pitching coach Rick Anderson is enthusiastic about the recovery process of the 24-year-old left hander who had elbow surgery and missed all of last season.

Anderson was asked by Sports Headliners yesterday how close Liriano is to physically being where he was prior to the elbow surgery in 2006.  “Oh, shoot, that’s tough (to answer),” Anderson said. “He’s close. …”

Liriano, who was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 2006, will pitch for Class A Fort Myers later this week.  He’s also targeted for a start next week pitching for another Twins’ farm team, Class AAA Rochester.

Before spring training started Anderson and others in Twins management couldn’t be sure what kind of a product they had in Liriano.  “You know what?” Anderson asked.  “From his first outing to his last one, it was night and day (the improvement).  He got better every single outing.  Is he there? Not yet.  Close, a lot closer than he was his outing before. …If he continues to improve like he has it won’t be long (before he joins the Twins).”

Liriano could be pitching for the Twins this month.  Anderson said Liriano’s change up is “better” than two years ago.  In Liriano’s final spring training outing late last week his fastball was the “same” as 2006, clocking in at 91 to 93 miles per hour, according to Anderson.

“His slider is still not there yet,” Anderson said.  “You see it once in awhile.  That’s the last pitch to come. …”

In five starts for the Twins this spring, Liriano was 2-2, with a 4.02 ERA (15.2 innings pitched, seven earned runs). He allowed 14 hits with nine walks and 15 strikeouts.

On a short list of questions about the Minnesota Wild’s playoff prospects is whether this team has the physical toughness to last beyond the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Last year the Wild took an early exit against a more physical Anaheim team. Now, however, there’s opinion inside and outside the Wild organization that Minnesota can play more physical hockey.

The late season acquisition of forward Chris Simon was controversial because of Simon’s history of on-ice aggressiveness.  A lot of fans and media caused a critical uproar over the Simon acquisition but he will be judged more positively if the Wild advance deep in the playoffs and he avoids incidents that are worthy of YouTube.

The Wild’s leading scorer, Marian Gaborik, told Sports Headliners on Saturday that Minnesota is “definitely tougher” than last year.  In the same breath he mentioned  Simon along with other team enforcers, Derek Boogaard, and Todd Fedoruk. “These guys are there to protect us,” Gaborik said.  “They’re doing a good job and they’re playing well.  And that’s what we need.”

The energy and intensity with which teams compete in the playoffs results in a more conservative, defensive, physical style.  “It’s a totally different level of hockey,” Gaborik said.  “It’s a big challenge.  Big competition.  You have to just go out there and work your butt off, and be ready mentally and physically.”

Gaborik, whose famous groin problems in the past have limited his playing time, has played in 75 games this season.  He has set a new single season career record with 80 points.

Gaborik said his physical status is “all good” now.  He also said off-season exercises, along with properly warming up before playing, and massage on his legs, have all been successful parts of his prevention program.

The Wild finish the regular season with games on April 3 and 6, then await the playoffs.  They are fourth in the Western Conference standings and first in the Northwest Division.