MINNESOTA SPORTS FAN DAILY: Friday, January 5, 2018

How’d We Do/Top Stories?

? Bruce Boudreau following #mnwild's 6-2 win over Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/1vyjfKQuxW

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 5, 2018

? Niederreiter, Granlund and Koivu recap #BUFvsMIN pic.twitter.com/jW8BhlmcAS

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 5, 2018

Welcome back: Nino Niederreiter's hat trick propels full-strength #mnwild past Buffalo 6-2. @sarah__mclellan has game details from the X https://t.co/UUcsI1oHgp pic.twitter.com/S3KLzPU3aO

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

Nino Niederreiter records hat trick to lead Wild to 6-2 win https://t.co/Qth5GGN0zG #mnWild pic.twitter.com/rsvHWdwisl

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 5, 2018

Nino had himself a night in his return and the #mnwild once again enjoyed a game against the Sabres when they needed a boost. Here's @RussoHockey from St. Paul.https://t.co/ZpMXvvyjRO

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticMIN) January 5, 2018

Your companion reading for tonight's game: the #mnwild have finally had a meeting with 2015 draft pick Kirill Kaprizov. @RussoHockey has the story.

>>> https://t.co/Bpw4w75Iok pic.twitter.com/3SAePdS0UV

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticMIN) January 5, 2018

#MNWild’s Tyler Ennis on his recent success: ‘This is the type of player I am’ https://t.co/bkY507NNin pic.twitter.com/RqGECQA8s7

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 4, 2018

FEATURE: Who’s the odd man out with the #MNWild finally at full strength? https://t.co/pGgunTvKQV

— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) January 4, 2018

On Luke Kunin, a most deserving representative for the @IAWild in the AHL All-Star game, from @dsm_captivehttps://t.co/Q3qJEflWbz

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticMIN) January 4, 2018

Wait, that's not Matt Cullen wearing No. 7⃣ — it's @casekeenum7! #SKOL@FSNGorg catches up with QB1 of the State of Hockey: pic.twitter.com/lGdGTz5F0w

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) January 5, 2018

Who Plays Today?

Timberwolves’ stars at their best with Tyus Jones on court https://t.co/NTpCb61OBp pic.twitter.com/UBG9kZgJBl

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 4, 2018

? VOTE FOR YOUR WOLVES! ?

⭐️ Tweet/RT/Reply with player’s first & last name or Twitter handle, with the hashtag #NBAVote. (ex.: #NBAVOTE @KarlTowns)

⭐️ Post a status on Facebook with #NBAVOTE and player's name.

⭐️ Online at https://t.co/JY6HPFOdf6 or the NBA app. pic.twitter.com/9wA2oRW2ph

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 27, 2017

Time to vote people. @jimmybutler #NBAVOTE pic.twitter.com/ebzh35Srgc

— David Sherman (@David_Sherman) January 5, 2018

Taj Gibson camps in the lane far too often https://t.co/4QYXPQ8cr6 via @dunkingwolvesFS pic.twitter.com/jMAQ4UywfF

— FanSided NBA (@FanSidedNBA) January 5, 2018

Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: January 5th at Boston Celtics https://t.co/t5puvam9Dd via @dunkingwolvesFS pic.twitter.com/h8gEK79FZz

— FanSided NBA (@FanSidedNBA) January 5, 2018

Minnesota Sports Fan News, Articles, Tweets, Stuff:

#Gophers Basketball's Reggie Lynch has been suspended from U of M campus until 2020.

?: @TheJohnnyMN and Mehttps://t.co/95WSMDNdGW

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 5, 2018

#MNTwins make another interesting signing.

Still waiting for THE signing…

?: @TheJohnnyMN https://t.co/ugO1xk1AGw

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 5, 2018

It’s a little late but TBT to the last time we won a major title in this town:

Yes, I stopped drooling like this after college. pic.twitter.com/1eko1Fzh3V

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 5, 2018

Early bird gets the worm, so i went hard on those guys and this gut rot is intense

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) January 5, 2018

Best Returners in Sports History:

?: Nino Neiderreiter
?: Devin Hester
?: Deion Sanders

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) January 5, 2018

If you thought this season was euphoric, imagine if Warren G’s son is wearing Purple one day? #Regulators pic.twitter.com/bT7CJH3Eqm

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) January 4, 2018

Others in Minnesota:

BREAKING: #Gophers basketball center Reggie Lynch suspended, barred from campus until 2020 after ruling by U's Sexual Misconduct Committee found him 'responsible' for sexual assault claim. He can appeal. https://t.co/F6UxBncBAR pic.twitter.com/YmruAkYRvM

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

University of Minnesota center Reggie Lynch has been found responsible for violating the school’s sexual misconduct policy in the spring of 2016 and faces suspension from school and the team until August 2020. https://t.co/bLloxw4cH1 pic.twitter.com/V66ToPUfO5

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 5, 2018

#mnwild General Manager Chuck Fletcher visits Russian prospects Kirill Kaprizov and Andrei Svetlakov https://t.co/AfXYuQZWTG pic.twitter.com/ctmuq6rnd2

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

Curse? "There is no damn curse" Mike Zimmer said as his #Vikings enjoy their first NFL playoffs bye since 2009 and prepare for a, well, curse-busting run the the Super Bowl. More from @markcraignfl https://t.co/LpYH5tiuED pic.twitter.com/HDbjpcuL6U

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

Tight end David Morgan stands out from #Vikings' 2016 draft class, Sid Hartman writes https://t.co/8dfk89COVO pic.twitter.com/fWpxmuUTUN

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

No. 10 Ohio State routs #Gophers women's basketball 91-75 in Columbus https://t.co/3FkkX7WSct

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

Who's on your list of the #Vikings top 10 players of all time? Fill out your ballot here: https://t.co/78rPQ35nPy pic.twitter.com/CwAjv2hxTv

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

Have your say! Vote for your top 10 #Vikings players of all time right here: https://t.co/78rPQ35nPy pic.twitter.com/TxZZsZTz3N

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

One month to go: Key dates and ideas to get you down the road to the Super Bowl. https://t.co/hqialzrAMX #Vikings pic.twitter.com/mXGgro16zk

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

Minnesota United's full 2018 schedule released. Defending #MLS champ Toronto is here July 4. https://t.co/u0eoFW1ejJ

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

Will red-hot Casey Mittelstadt be back from the World Juniors in time to play for the #Gophers this weekend against No. 1 @stcloudstate? @RJstrib writes: https://t.co/QyRtaJlDP8 pic.twitter.com/UPfBxdJdyt

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

High school boys' hoops on the web tonight: Prior Lake vs. Eastview and Lakeville South vs. Farmington. Here's our directory to live prep sports on the web: https://t.co/Esq2JdK9Ch #mshsl pic.twitter.com/Zx0HNYJ9VV

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

Tough times ahead, especially on the road. @RandBall breaks down the 2018 #Vikings schedule. https://t.co/vCP2UmcHkH #NFL pic.twitter.com/mgYXexnYCV

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

How tough is the #Gophers senior PG? My story from November on Nate Mason, healed and hungry, wanting to beat high expectations after an injury to end last year https://t.co/xiUsXBzE8i

— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) January 4, 2018

Gophers women no match for Ohio State https://t.co/QNzDNF8xUD #gophers pic.twitter.com/LvUj0dhZWl

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 5, 2018

After ‘terrible’ start, Latavius Murray has become Vikings’ workhorse back https://t.co/l41yg9XIyX pic.twitter.com/UGVCy2rmZZ

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 5, 2018

Case Keenum is locked in as the starter, but Sam Bradford's return gives Mike Zimmer and the @Vikings another QB decision for the playoffs.

ICYMI, from @JonKrawczynski >>> https://t.co/nJteXX4ojU pic.twitter.com/lbbyOsz1yJ

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticMIN) January 4, 2018

ICYMI: @SCSUHUSKIES_MH’s all-time assists leader Garrett Roe on his reaction to being named to US Olympic team… https://t.co/CjsVvF723l

— Mick Hatten (@MickHatten) January 5, 2018

National Stories to Watch:

College basketball insider from @Marcus_R_Fuller: Weak Big Ten means few quality wins available for #Gophers going forward, which could hurt NCAA Tournament chances https://t.co/Lob1aJKnfT pic.twitter.com/4xz7uFsloP

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

With Carson Wentz out and Nick Foles in at QB for Philadelphia, the #Vikings are the true No. 1 seed in the NFC, @SouhanStrib writes https://t.co/zor4T5fBd1 pic.twitter.com/3SGaGav7AK

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

Bring out the pitchforks – or pop the champagne. Here's @markcraignfl's predictions for the NFL playoffs. https://t.co/yD9vcvfm1H pic.twitter.com/aQhWKFp7AU

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 5, 2018

Tiger Woods plans to play two California tournaments in coming weeks as part of his latest comeback. https://t.co/7QN2Hu25sj pic.twitter.com/nD6L18pOYQ

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) January 4, 2018

Phil Housley on his first trip back as an NHL head coach: ‘It’s special.’ https://t.co/UEKpmnM8wc pic.twitter.com/L3APmd2g3v

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) January 4, 2018

The men's and women's Olympic hockey rosters feature a combined nine native Minnesotans, plus many more with local ties. Here's @gopherstate to break it down.https://t.co/zumt7988YD

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticMIN) January 4, 2018

Patriots story hits at a time when they’re not around to respond to it https://t.co/J7BTmRa3zf

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 5, 2018

Baseball’s hot stove finally started to emerge from its lengthy slumber on Thursday afternoon…https://t.co/UFeIYhJbLu

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 5, 2018

Social Media:

Chill Melo, you're on TV ?? *NSFW* pic.twitter.com/3DdU6SR7Oe

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2018

Playoff predictions for the NFL playoffs from PFFELOhttps://t.co/kK4XoJeUrx pic.twitter.com/uc9XPhssBt

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 5, 2018

I don't feel comfortable. https://t.co/WIu6c6azAo

— Travis Lyle Czech (@TravLyleCzech) January 5, 2018

Happy @Hrbie14 day! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/BkukO6ADqa

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) January 4, 2018

Jimmy Butler just dancing his way to the All Star game RT #NBAVOTE pic.twitter.com/G4poFtNIk4

— Jimmy Butler #NBAVOTE (@Tyus_Jones_Stan) January 5, 2018

Today’s participants:@MeatSauce1 @AjKFAN @Chris_Hawkey @MarkDParrish #PowerTrip https://t.co/OYNCiNQw8e

— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) January 5, 2018

MSF Daily tag-teamed by Johnny Minnesota (@MNsportsNstuff) & The Boss@RealMNSportsFan