Minnesota Sports Briefs: BSM wins in Class 2A hockey tourney

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ST PAUL - Four teams punched their tickets to the Class 2A semifinals of the Minnesota Boys' State Hockey Tournament on Thursday.

Zach LaVelle scored two goals as Hill Murray skated past Maple Grove 5-2. Moorhead goaltender Michael Bitzer made 34 saves in a 4-0 shutout win over Eagan. Lakeville South upset No. 1 seeded Duluth East 3-2, holding the Greyhounds scoreless for the last 47 minutes. And Christian Horn scored the game-winner with 24 seconds remaining as Benilde St.Magaret's knocked off Edina 3-2.

BSM's Jack Jablonski attended the Red Knights game. The 16-year old Jablonski, paralyzed during a game back at the end of last year, joined his family in the arena to watch the game.

The semifinals in Class 1A and 2A will be played at the Xcel Energy Center today.

Class-A:

St.Thomas Academy vs. Breck 11 a.m.

Hermantown vs. Thief River Falls 1 p.m.

Class AA:

Hill-Murray vs. Moorhead 6 p.m.

Lakeville South vs. Benilde St.Magaret's 8 p.m.

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The Timberwolves host the Lakers in a Western Conference matchup tonight at Target Center. The Wolves have won five in a row at home - but Minnesota has lost 17 straight to Kobe Bryant's team. Guard Luke Ridnour says they're not focused on their losing streak to LA. The Lakers are coming off back-to-back road losses including a 106-101 setback at Washington Wednesday. The Wolves lost at the Staples Center 104-89 in the first game after the All-Star break.

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Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano pitched three scoreless innings in a 1-0 Grapefruit League loss to the Rays Thursday in Fort Myers. Liriano had five strikeouts, allowed a lead-off single who later caught stealing and faced the minimum number of hitters. Tampa Bay scored its lone run on a throwing error by second baseman Luke Hughes in the ninth inning. Center fielder Denard Span went one-for-two with a walk and two stolen bases. The Twins host the World Series champion Cardinals this afternoon.

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A University of Minnesota football player has been dismissed from the team for violating team rules. Wide receiver Ge'Shun Harris is facing a felony theft charge for credit card fraud. He allegedly made $800 in purchases with an American Express card taken from a bag at Twin Cities International Airport. The 20-year-old Harris was previously cited for misdemeanor theft in both Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

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