Minnesota Sports Briefs: Gopher men blast Denver in final home game

• University of Minnesota

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MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota men's hockey team won its final WCHA contest at home with a 5-1 wipe out of Denver at Mariucci Arena Saturday evening.

Both teams were tied going into the third period before the No. 2 ranked Golden Gophers scored four unanswered goals. Zach Budish had two goals for the Gophers along with an assist and Sam Warning finished with a goal and an assist for the U. Erik Haula finished with two assists. Gopher goalie Adam Wilcox finished with 31 saves. Minnesota has to win at least one game in their final regular season series at Bemidji State to claim at least a share of the WCHA title in the Gophers' final season of play in the league. The win also snapped a three-game losing streak against Denver.

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The University of Minnesota women's hockey team closed out its WCHA first round playoff series against Bemidji State with an 8-0 win Saturday afternoon in front of over 2,000 fans at Ridder Arena. The No. 1 ranked and unbeaten Gophers, 36-0-0, were led by Hannah Brandt, who had a goal and two assists and Megan Bozek who also had a goal and two assists. Goalie Noora Raty finished with 19 saves. Minnesota will host the WCHA Final Face-off and will play Ohio State at 7:05 p.m.

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Ryan Sweeney singled home Jonathan Diaz with the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, as the Boston Red Sox edged the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, in Grapefruit League action. J.C. Linares led off the second with a home run for the Red Sox, while Minnesota's Justin Morneau tied things up by homering to lead off the fourth.

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