Bringin' It: Thursday's Top 5 Minn. sports storylines

Baseball's return might be on the horizon, but Gophers hockey is front and center today as we check our top five storylines.

Author:

BMTN Staff

Happy Thursday! Just one more day before BASEBALL RETURNS to Twins Territory, and nine more days before we see how Big Herbie will be depicted in bronze outside Target Field. More on that later, as we track our top five storylines of the day:

1) It's win-or-go-home-time again for the hockey Gophers, as they face Boston College in the NCAA Frozen Four. The puck drops at 7 p.m. in sunny Tampa, Fla.

2)Inexcusable. That's the takeaway sound bite from Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman after his team blew a 20-point lead in last night's loss to Golden State at Target Center. Playoffs? Reminds us of a song:

3) Two more games left for the Minnesota Wild, starting with the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at the X. The Hawks will be looking for a bit of revenge after losing at home to the Wild in a shootout last Sunday night. The game was physical, featuring three fights in the first 30 minutes. Which reminds us of yesteryear:

4) When the Twins open the season Friday against Baltimore, there will be plenty of obvious storylines to follow. How will Justin Morneau fare as DH, will Joe Mauer stay healthy, can the bullpen get an out -- you know the routine. But Twins blogger Parker Hageman checks in five not-so-obvious things to keep track of this April. Our favorite is "Alexi Casilla's left-side leg kick."

5) They're throwing a lot of 14's around at Target Field. Kent Hrbek, No. 14, who played his entire 14-year career with the Twins -- will have his bronze statue unveiled on Saturday, April 14 -- before the Rangers game. Interested in attending? It'll be right outside Gate 14.

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