Minnesota Sports Roundup: Wild lose in a shootout, two games left in its season

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NASHVILLE - Nashville's Alexander Radulov scored the lone goal of the shootout as the Predators topped the Wild 2-1 last night in the Music City.

Gabriel Bourque scored in regulation and Anders Lindback turned back 25 shots in the win The Predators have won three-of-five and hold a one-point lead over the Red Wings for the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Dany Heatley scored the only goal for the Wild and Niklas Backstrom made 23 saves in the loss. Minnesota had its three-game winning streak snapped.

The Wild wrap up the season with home games on Thursday and Saturday.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves will take on the Warriors at the Target Center this evening. Minnesota suffered a 116-108 loss to the Kings its last time out on Monday. The Wolves have dropped three straight to enter tonight's game 25-and-30 on the season. Tip-off is at 7:00.

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The Minnesota Twins suffered a 6-2 loss to the Rays in their Grapefruit League finale yesterday. Josh Willingham had two hits and an RBI for the Twins. Liam Hendriks allowed four runs over five-and-a-third innings. The Twins will wrap up exhibition play against the Fort Myers Miracle this afternoon.

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The NFL and Nike unveiled new uniforms for all 32 teams yesterday. The league showed off the sleeker, form-fitting uniforms with an elaborate fashion show at Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. The Vikings' new uniforms and helmets have the same familiar purple color scheme.

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University of Minnesota-Duluth football defensive coordinator Todd Strop stepped down from his position yesterday after two years on the job. Strop's family lives in River Falls and he said in a statement that he need to be closer to his wife and two daughters. The 43-year-old Strop had previously served as an assistant coach at South Dakota. UMD assistant coach Tyler Yelk was named the program's interim defensive coordinator.

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The Minnesota state House of Representatives voted Tuesday to start Minnesota's fishing season one week earlier this year, on May 5th, because of the unusually early spring. Crane Lake DFLer David Dill says it would not change the date of the official Fishing Opener, which is May 12th, but would allow "a bonus week of fishing." But Mayer Republican Ernie Leidiger warns changing the season such a short time in advance will affect a lot of activities planned for the Opener. But Balsam Township Democrat Tom Anzelc voted to start fishing season one week earlier, saying "come north, spend money, have a good time." The Senate has not voted on the issue yet.

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The Minnesota House passed a bill Tuesday that would eliminate state inspections of deer meat that hunters donate to foodshelves. Game and fish bill author, Cedar Republican Tom Hackbarth, says x-raying for lead shot is so expensive that less and less venison is being donated to foodshelves. Minneapolis Democrat Jean Wagenius asked, "What about the mom who goes to the foodshelf and doesn't know that we still...allow lead shot to be used to hunt deer?" Hackbarth responded he's responsible for his kids, he fed venison to them, and they didn't have a problem. But opponents say effects of lead poisoning on children aren't always immediately obvious.

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