Minnesota Sports Briefs: Gopher women's hockey clinches WCHA title

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MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's hockey has already clinched the WCHA women's title after slaughtering Minnesota-Duluth 5-0 at Ridder Arena Friday.

In front of jammed packed arena of over 2,500 fans the No. 1 ranked and undefeated Golden Gophers scored a goal in the first and second periods and then put three more past the Bulldogs in the third. Sarah Davis and Amanda Kessel both had a goal and an assist for the U and Hannah Brandt had two assists.

UMD acutally outshot the Gophers 24-22 but winning goalie Noora Raty made 24 saves. The series wraps up Saturday at 4:05 p.m. at Ridder Arena.

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Kyle Palmieri celebrated his 22nd birthday in style on Friday night.

Palmieri posted a pair of goals, including the go-ahead tally early in the third period, as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Minnesota Wild, 3-1, at Honda Center.Bobby Ryan recorded a goal and two assists, while Teemu Selanne supplied a trio of helpers for the Ducks, who have won two of their last three. Rookie goaltender Viktor Fasth made his second career start and stopped 26 shots to earn the victory. Marco Scandella scored the lone Minnesota goal, while Niklas Backstrom was charged with all three goals on 31 shots for the Wild, who had won two straight.

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Pau Gasol was inserted back into the starting lineup and recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers continue their dominance over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 111-100 victory at Target Center. Even with All-Star center Dwight Howard back in Los Angeles to have treatment done on his ailing right shoulder, the Lakers raced out to an early lead and held on to snap an eight-game road skid and earn their 20th straight win over the Timberwolves. Kobe Bryant nearly posted a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Antawn Jamison and Steve Nash chipped in 18 and 17 points, respectively, for the victors. Alexey Shved had 18 points to pace the Timberwolves, losers of six straight.

Tags: minnesota sports, proam, hockey, wild