Bluffton wins; Shockers lose Region 14C openers
The 'Battlin' Braves' from Bluffton pulled out another dramatic victory in the Region 14C playoff opener on Friday, defeating the Urbank-Parkers Prairie Bombers 3-2 with a one-out game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
Bluffton's Kenny Geiser, pinch running for Wayne Dykhoff, scored the game-winner.
The Braves collected just four hits in the victory and were led by Kyle Dykhoff's 3-for-4 effort at the plate and one RBI. Kyle Geiser collected the other Bluffton hit.
Dustin Geiser went the distance for the win, allowing two runs (one unearned) on nine hits while stiking out nine.
The victory sends Bluffton into the second round against Clarissa at 8 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 2) in Carlos. The Flyers edged Huntersville 6-5 on Friday.
The Wadena-Deer Creek Shockers lost their Region 14C opener 7-1 to the Carlos Cougers.
The loss drops WDC into the double-elimination/consolation bracket against Nimrod at 5 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 2) in Clarissa. The Gnats were defeated 10-0 by Detroit Lakes on Friday.
Special thanks to Ron Berns for the updated Region 14C information and box scores. For results and updates throughout the tournament, click here
Posted by: Mike Isola on August 01, 2008 at 7:33 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Screaming Eagles regular season finale is Saturday
The Lakes Area Screaming Eagles will close out their 2008 Northern Power League schedule on Saturday when they host the visting Willmar Mustangs at 5 p.m. at the Frazee High School football field.
Come out and support your local semi-pro football team in their regular season finale. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for youth.
Posted by: Mike Isola on August 01, 2008 at 2:25 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Wolverine fall sports meeting Aug. 7
The Wadena-Deer Creek athletic department will hold a preseason meeting for all fall sports on Aug. 7 in the Wadena-Deer Creek High School commons.
Registration will be from 5-6 p.m. with an informational meeting shortly after. The meeting is to go over rules and regulations, fill out forms, pay fees, and answer any questions parents may have. After the meeting each fall sport will have its own informational meeting. Information at these individual sports meetings include practice and game schedules as well as team policies and rules.
Fall sports start Aug. 11. All athletes in grades 7-12 and their parents should attend. Athletic forms will be available and fees may be paid. A reminder: a physical must be taken in the last 3 years and must be on file in the Activities Office before athletes participate.
Parents should be aware that athletic fees for participation were raised this year. Participants in grades 9-12 will be paying $40 per sport while grades 7-8 will pay $30 per sport. Hockey fees will be an additional $330.
Fees and forms must be paid prior to the first day of practice. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Brian Silbernick at (218) 632-2150, ext. 109.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 31, 2008 at 1:32 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Dance with the Wolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking for talented, energetic and motivated women to represent the team as part of the 2008-09 Timberwolves Dancers. Open auditions for this year's team will be held on Monday, Aug. 25, with finalists being called back on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Auditions will be held at Life Time Fitness-Target Center.
Prior to the Aug. 25 auditions, Timberwolves Dancers director Erica Lentsch will host prep classes at 6 p.m. on both Monday, Aug. 11 and Monday, Aug. 18. The classes cost $10 per session and will be held at Life Time Fitness-Target Center. Participants will gain experience learning the types of dance routines the team performs and will hear more about the audition process from Lentsch. RSVP's are required for both prep classes and can be sent to dancers@timberwolves.com.
The final audition process for the 2008-09 Timberwolves Dancers will consist of learning and performing a full dance routine. All participants must be at least 18 years of age by Nov. 1, 2008 to be eligible. No formal dance experience is required, but participation in one of the pre-audition prep classes is recommended.
The Timberwolves Dancers, presented by Treasure Island Resort and Casino, represent the team at all Timberwolves home games and at numerous events throughout the community each season.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 30, 2008 at 3:28 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Minnesota Wild buys out Mark Parrish
Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the club has bought out the remaining three years of forward Mark Parrish's contract.
Parrish recorded 69 points in 142 games during two seasons with the Wild. The Bloomington, Minnesota native recorded his fifth career hat trick including the game-winner in overtime against Chicago and served as team captain three times with the team-February (2007)- March/April (2007) and December (2007). Parrish has notched 372 points (208 goals-164 assists) including 69 power play goals and 37 game-winning tallies in 660 games during nine NHL seasons with Florida, the New York Islanders, Los Angeles and Minnesota.
The Wild originally signed him to a five-year contract on July 1, 2006.
Following the buyout, Parrish becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any other NHL team.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 30, 2008 at 2:25 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Region 14C and 16C Tournament Brackets
Area amatuer baseball fans can view the updated Region 14C bracket here
Hi-10 champion Bluffton Braves are scheduled to play Urbank-Parkers Prairie Bombers (Resorters East wildcard) at 8 p.m. on Thursday (July 31)
Hi-10 runner-ups Wadena-Deer Creek Shockers battle Resorters East champion Carlos Cougers at 8 p.m. Thursday in Carlos
Hi-10 wildcard Detroit Lakes Angels play Lake & Pine South champion Nimrod Gnats at 8 p.m. Thursday in Menahga.
Huntersville Horseflies (Lake & Pine South runner-up) take on Clarissa Flyers (Resorters East runner-up) at 8 p.m. Thursday in Clarissa
Also available is the Region 16C bracket here
Wolf Lake Wolfpack (Lake & Pine North champion) battle Vergas Loons (Countryside wildcard) at 8 p.m. Friday (Aug. 1) in Menahga
Countryside champion Dent Wildcats play the Alexandria Senators (Resorters West wildcard) at 8 p.m. Friday in Dent
Resorters West champion Brandon-Evansville BlueDogs take on Fergus Falls Hurricanes (Countryside runner-up) at 8 p.m. Friday in Evansville
Midway Snurdbirds (Lake & Pine North runner-ups) battle the Ashby A's (Resorters West runner-ups) at 8 p.m. Friday in Ashby
Good luck to all the teams.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 28, 2008 at 10:08 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Bluffton Braves are Hi-10 Champs
2008 Hi-10 Champions-Bluffton Braves
The Bluffton Braves defeated rival Wadena-Deer Creek Shockers 4-1 this afternoon to win the Hi-10 Playoff Championship.
The third-seed Braves went undefeated throughout the Hi-10 playoffs to lay claim the title.
In the first-round on July 16, they defeated New York Mills Millers 7-4 behind Marc Sweere's three-run homer. On July 19, they squeaked past the second-seed Perham Pirates 3-2, getting all their runs in the third inning. Both Kyle Geiser and Sweere hit doubles in the frame to aid the scoring. Sweere's two-run double sealed the win while Dustin Geiser picked up the win.
On Friday, despite leading 5-3 late in the game with the fourth-seed Detriot Lakes Angels, the Braves almost let the game get away. Matt Olson hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth to make it 5-5 and Detroit Lakes added another run in the ninth to take the lead. Bluffton, however, refused to quit and rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 7-6 and advance into the championship game.
With today's 4-1 victory over the top-seed Shockers, the Braves advanced to the Region 14C Tournament.
They will play Urbank-Parkers Prairie Bombers (Resorters East Wildcard) at 8 p.m. Thursday (July 31) in Dent.
The Shockers, Hi-10 runner-ups, also advanced to the Region 14C Tournament and will play the Resorters East Champion (Carlos or Clarissa) at 8 p.m. Thursday in Carlos.
Detroit Lakes was the Hi-10 Wildcard winner and will play the Lake & Pine South Champion (Nimrod or Huntersville) at 8 p.m. Thursday in Menahga.
I will update the final schedule as soon as I can since the remaining games were being played later this afternoon.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 27, 2008 at 4:41 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Liberty crush Screaming Eagles 55-21
Despite a great leaping effort, Liberty receiver Wyndell Mathis (15) couldn't quite corral this pass in the end zone during Fargo-Moorhead's 55-21 victory over the Screaming Eagles
The Lakes Area Screaming Eagles kept one of the top teams of the Northern Power Football League in check Saturday afternoon in Frazee. Unfortunately, it was for only one quarter.
The high-scoring Fargo-Moorhead Liberty could only reach the end zone once in the first quarter as Tony Stauss hit receiver Nick Jackson with an 11-yard touchdown pass with 8:43 left.
Late in the opening quarter, Screaming Eagles quarterback Jason McCloskey hit receiver Mike Christensen with a 21-yard scoring strike to tie the game up.
From there, it was all Fargo-Moorhead as they reeled off 39 straight points against the injury-depleted Screaming Eagles squad to take a commanding 46-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Liberty receiver Bert Smith caught two touchdown passes from Stauss late in the second quarter and Ryan Drinkwater added an eight-yard interception return to give the Liberty a 33-7 halftime lead.
McCloskey re-connected with Christensen for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 8:27 left in the fourth quarter. The Liberty would add a safety and 17-yard run from Hector Rosa-Vega to keep the Screaming Eagles in the distant rear-view mirror as they cruised to the 55-14 lead with 2:38 left to play.
The Screaming Eagles closed out the scoring on Chancey Ames' 39-yard scoring burst along the left sideline.
Stauss, a former starting quarterback at NDSU, finished with 348 yards passing and five touchdowns for the Liberty. His longest pass of the day was a 61-yard touchdown pass to receiver Baron Smart late in the third quarter.
The Screaming Eagles (1-7) close out the regular season at home Saturday with the Willmar Mustangs. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Frazee High School football field.
Fargo-Moorhead at Lakes Area on July 26
Liberty 55, Screaming Eagles 21
F-M 7 26 13 9-55
Lakes Area 7 0 0 14-21
First Quarter
FM-Nick Jackson 11 pass from Tony Stauss (Kevin Johnson kick) 8:43
LA-Mike Christianson 21 pass from Jason McCloskey (Christianson kick) 1:05
Second Quarter
FM-Wyndell Mathis 2 pass from Stauss (pass failed) 12:32
FM-Ryan Drinkwater 8 interception return (kick failed) 7:58
FM-Bert Smith 5 pass from Stauss (Johnson kick) 2:59
FM-Smith 6 pass from Stauss (Johnson kick) 0:22
Third Quarter
FM-Jackson 3 run (run failed) 11:13
FM-Baron Smart 61 pass from Stauss (Johnson kick) 3:59
Fourth Quarter
LA-Christianson 25 pass from McCloskey (Christianson kick) 8:27
FM-Safety 4:48
FM-Hector Rosa-Vega 17 run (Johnson kick) 2:38
LA-Chancey Ames 39 run (Christianson kick) 0:54
Screaming Eagle receiver Mike Christensen (23) really focuses on the ball despite the Liberty defenders efforts to swat it away. Christensen caught the 21-yard pass for the first Screaming Eagle touchdown of the afternoon.
Screaming Eagle running back Chancey Ames (8) turns on the burners after leaving a group of Liberty defenders in the dust during his 39-yard scoring burst along the left sidelines with 54 seconds left in the game.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 26, 2008 at 11:23 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Minnesota Wild signs Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the club has re-signed right wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard to a five-year, $20.4 million contract.
"Pierre-Marc is just 24 years old and the best years of his career are ahead of him," said Risebrough. "He is a good example of how drafting and developing your own players leads to team success. This is why the Wild was willing to make such a substantial and long-term commitment to him."
Bouchard recorded 63 points with 34 penalty minutes and skated in all but one of the Wild's 82 regular-season games in 2007-08 while averaging 16:50 in ice time. En route to posting his career-high 63 points, the 5-foot-10, 172-pound Bouchard set a franchise record with 50 assists, eclipsing Andrew Brunette's mark of 48 assists set in 2001-02. In 40 road contests last season (missed match at Edmonton on March 24 due to the flu), he logged 33 points, 12 of which were power-play assists, to lead the Wild in road scoring. On Jan. 21, 2008 at Vancouver, Bouchard became the second player in team history (RW Marian Gaborik was first) to break the 200-point barrier and currently owns 221 points and a plus-21 rating in 354 career contests spanning five seasons for Minnesota. During the 2008 Western Conference Quarterfinal series against Colorado, the Sherbrooke, Quebec native notched four points, including a postseason personal-best two-point display in Game 3.
Bouchard was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 26, 2008 at 7:37 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Bluffton reaches Hi-10 Championship game
Bluffton squeaked past the Detroit Lakes Angels 7-6 on Friday night to reach Sunday's Hi-10 championship game.
The Braves were leading 5-3 late in the game when the Angels tied it up on a two-run homer in the top of the eighth.
Detroit Lakes then took the lead 6-5 in the top of the ninth, only to watch the Braves score two in the bottom of the frame to escape with the victory.
Bluffton hosts the championship game at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Detroit Lakes plays Saturday (today) against the winner of the Perham/Shockers game. The winner once again will challenge Bluffton on Sunday in the double-elimination tournament.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 26, 2008 at 8:31 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Brett Favre's a Minnesota Viking
Sorry to tease all you Viking fans for a moment.
There was this email from my editor Steve waiting in my inbox this afternoon.......
I almost had a heart attack and let loose a string of profanities when I saw this photo that he sent me.
After years of giving all you Viking fans abuse...I guess the tables have turned. The jokes on me, a diehard Green Bay Packer fan.
I have to admit, it was a pretty good joke as disgusted as I am about the whole Favre issue.
But just in case, I do have a can of charcoal fluid on hand if Favre does somehow sign on with the hated Vikings. All my Favre Packer jersey's and memorabilia will make a nice fire in the firepit while I come to a slow realization that it sucks to be a Packer fan. I'll make sure to cry into a cold one while watching the memories of one of the greatest quarterbacks to grace Lambeau Field go up in smoke.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 24, 2008 at 4:43 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to withdraw
Caleb Campbell was a feel-good story of the draft when he was selected by Detroit. Now he can't play a single down because of a change in military policy.
Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.
But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.
According to published Associated Press reports, in a letter to Lions president Matt Millen dated Wednesday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba wrote that Campbell has been ordered to give up professional football for "full-time traditional military duties."
Liba said 2nd Lt. Campbell was allowed to enter the draft "in good faith" and may ask to be released from his active duty obligations in May 2010.
Posted by: Mike Isola on July 23, 2008 at 7:19 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
