The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” People are also reading... There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Be the first to knowApple might have more in store for gaming on the Vision Pro than we initially thought. A new Bloomberg report says that Apple and Sony are working together to get the gaming giant’s VR controllers supported on Apple’s headset. When Apple launched the Vision Pro earlier this year, it did feature some games, but nothing that would traditionally be considered a VR title. Instead, Apple focused on porting over existing iOS games to be played with standard video game controllers or unique hand motions. These are fun, but if Apple wants to line up as many selling features as possible for the headset, I think bringing over traditional VR titles to compete with the Meta Quest and Steam-enabled headsets would be a big help in convincing early adopters to pick up the Vision Pro. Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg report mentions that while the PSVR controllers are at the top of Apple’s list to port over, there is a chance that other VR controllers will be added in the future as well. This is big news, but it’s a big undertaking since Vision Pro currently doesn’t support VR controllers, has no VR games, and PlayStation VR2 controllers are not currently sold on their own. However, this report mentions that Apple will sell the controllers in the Apple Store. Apple also spent time prototyping some kind of VR wand tool to help users of the headset exhibit more fine-tuned control over their work. This would be helpful for professional apps like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, but it seems like that project has been shelved for the time being. VR game controllers, with their enhanced motion tracking, might also be an easier way to allow users finer controls within apps. Gurman suspects that Apple will need to bankroll games on the platform if it is to succeed since Vision Pro hasn’t been a hit seller. Reports suggest that it only sold half a million units, and the people who have them are using them less than the Cupertino company predicted. That said, some worthwhile games might change things and, at the very least, give existing owners a reason to wear the headset a little more. Source: Bloomberg
From Burkina Faso to Silver Creek wrestling, Ibrahim Kaboré is following a path less traveledIt wasn’t good, but it could’ve been a lot worse. Given the lingering effects of last year’s Hollywood labor strikes, the relative lack of big movies and a dismal first half of the year at the box office, the film industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief as 2024 comes to a close. This year’s box office revenue could total $8.75 billion in the U.S. and Canada, according to estimates from data firm Comscore. That figure would put the box office about 3% lower than in 2023. More dispiriting for theaters, it’s down about 23% compared with 2019. But the numbers also represent a remarkable turnaround considering revenue was down 27.5% just six months ago after a weak slate and a string of high-profile flops, before Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” hit theaters in June. “It was not your typical year because there was no traditional road map to follow through the entire calendar,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “The fact that we’re even here shows that audiences really love going to the movies, but they need a path to follow to get there.” While 2024 presented unique challenges for the film business, moviegoing still faces a slew of hurdles that were accelerated by the pandemic. Once-regular movie watchers aren’t seeing films in theaters at the same rate as before, waiting until their preferred movies show up as premium digital rentals or on streaming platforms. Films are also in theaters for shorter periods, meaning they’re often gone by the time casual moviegoers decide to check out a flick . Last year’s strikes by Hollywood writers and actors also resulted in many movie releases being pushed out of 2024 due to production delays or a need for more marketing time. That meant there weren’t as many wide releases for moviegoers to get excited about. As of Dec. 18, there were 95 domestic releases in 2,000 theaters this year, according to data from the National Assn. of Theater Owners trade group. That paled in comparison with 2023 (101 films). Next year is expected to be stronger, with 110 wide release movies on the schedule. “As we were coming into the year, as a result of the strikes last year, I think there was clearly just some concern about what impact that would have,” said Sean Gamble, chief executive of Plano, Texas-based movie theater chain Cinemark. “The big thing that we’re just continuing to keep an eye on is what is the timing for volume, and where is volume going to fully fill out over the next couple of years.” A lighter release schedule, combined with bombs early in the year, such as Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Furiosa: A Mad Max Story” and Universal Pictures’ “The Fall Guy,” had industry players feeling apocalyptic about the movies . But a strong string of hits throughout the summer and holidays has put some wind back in the sails. “We’re ending the year in a better place than we were at the beginning of the year,” Tony Chambers, head of theatrical distribution at the Walt Disney Studios, said of the industry’s progress. “Part of it was how well these summer titles worked.” Animation was a major win for the year, grossing more than $2 billion — a quarter of annual domestic box office revenue — and the biggest percentage ever for the genre. Summer films like Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s “Despicable Me 4” and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” the latter of which became the highest-grossing film of the year with nearly $1.7 billion in global sales, brought families to theaters in droves. Months later, Disney’s “Moana 2” helped anchor a massive Thanksgiving weekend box office haul. Worldwide, animated films brought in more than $5 billion this year, according to Comscore. Analysts have credited family films — and more broadly, PG-rated titles, such as Universal’s “Wicked” — with boosting this year’s box office. The films not only resonated with their target audience of families, but also featured well-known and beloved characters, which can ease trepidation among families wrestling with whether a trip to the theaters is worth it. While animated movies were a clear winner this summer, some superheroes also did their jobs. Marvel Studios’ latest film, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” grossed $1.3 billion worldwide, boosting the Disney-owned studio’s prospects after a string of lackluster films . The film also proved there is a niche for R-rated and irreverent storylines within the House of Mouse’s largely family-friendly and PG-13 superhero universe. The summer may have been bolstered by blockbusters, but Osgood Perkins’ original indie “Longlegs” also contributed to the box office momentum. The breakout horror film, which stars Nicolas Cage, handed independent distributor Neon its biggest opening ever, with $22 million, and came after an extensive and cryptic marketing campaign . As summer turned into fall, the string of hits continued with Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” and the heavily marketed “Wicked.” The continued momentum helped affirm that theatrical movies are still in demand, said Gamble of Cinemark. In a recent meeting in Los Angeles with studio executives, he said a common topic of conversation was the meaning of this year’s box office for the health of theatrical exhibition. “Everybody’s viewed the collective results of this year as a really positive thing,” Gamble said. “What we continue to see are examples that suggest the enthusiasm for moviegoing remains very robust.” Disney had an especially good year, as the studio crossed the $2-billion mark in domestic box office with three of the top five films of 2024 — “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” each of which cracked $1 billion globally at the box office, and “Moana 2,” which has now grossed almost $821 million worldwide. That puts the Burbank media and entertainment giant at about 25% of this year’s box office. “The successes we’ve had this year show that audiences are eager for that unbeatable experience of watching a great movie in a theater with a crowd of people who are enjoying it just as much as they are,” Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, said in a statement. While blockbusters filled seats in theaters this year, there were also plenty of duds. Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola’s massive, $120-million passion project “Megalopolis” hit a hard wall at the box office , grossing just $4 million in its opening weekend and less than $14 million total worldwide. The loosely Roman-themed fable about an architect in a futuristic New York was anathema to major studios, leaving Coppola to shoulder much of the financial risk himself. Kevin Costner’s western epic “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” met a similar fate, grossing just $38 million worldwide after the “Yellowstone” actor put up his own property to fund the film . The movie was the first in a planned four-part saga. After the first movie’s reception, the sequel was pulled from its scheduled August theatrical release . Despite the success of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” other superhero-related films didn’t fare as well theatrically, including Sony Pictures’ “Madame Web” and “Kraven the Hunter,” along with Warner Bros.’ comic book sequel-turned-musical “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Eli Roth’s video game adaptation “Borderlands” also failed to connect with audiences, as did Lionsgate’s reboot of horror film “The Crow.” Still, film industry executives and analysts say they feel hopeful about 2025 — a year in which the effects of the strikes and the pandemic are further in the rearview mirror, and the cadence of movies gets closer to normal. Industry leaders said 2025 should be a return to the trajectory the business was on before the pandemic and the strikes. Next year’s slate is stocked with superhero fare (“Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts” and a new DC reboot of “Superman”), action films (“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” and “Jurassic World Rebirth”) as well as sequels to popular films (“Now You See Me 3,” “Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good”). The success of — and reliance on — sequels and reboots is also going to force a future reckoning for new stories. Though original films like A24’s “Civil War,” Amazon MGM Studios’ “Challengers” and “Longlegs” cashed in at the box office, the entirety of the top 10 highest-grossing films domestic or worldwide this year were sequels or films based on existing stories (“Wicked,” as an adaptation of the 21-year-old Broadway play and a revision of the classic “Wizard of Oz,” is included in this). “What studios and exhibition and the industry needs to focus on is possibly how to cut through with original content,” said Chambers of Disney. “Being able to have original titles cut through, that’s going to be the challenge.”Meghan McCain revealed she cast a vote for her dead dad as a write-in for president on her 2024 election ballot.
'Democracy and freedom': Jimmy Carter's human rights efforts in Latin America
DALLAS (AP) — Garrett Crochet was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the White Sox on Wednesday for four prospects, giving Chicago a better deal for the All-Star left-hander than available at the trade deadline in July. For the Red Sox, who are still seeking more pitching, it was a quick pivot after losing out on free agent lefty Max Fried to the rival New York Yankees. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekAP News Summary at 5:01 p.m. EST
None
The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Get local news delivered to your inbox!Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year
None
NoneAP News Summary at 5:01 p.m. EST
New wind projects to generate as much power as Site C dam, B.C. saysIntergroup stock hits 52-week low at $13.6 amid market challenges
SAN DIEGO , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BSD Builders, Inc., a general contractor specializing in healthcare construction, has announced a strategic partnership with 2G Energy Inc., a pioneer in energy systems, including cogeneration. The collaboration will focus on designing and deploying cutting-edge microgrid solutions to enhance energy resilience, sustainability, and efficiency for commercial building clients. The partnership was formed in response to the challenges faced by skilled nursing facilities during the California wildfires of 2018 and 2020. Utility companies initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during dangerous weather conditions, forcing facilities to evacuate patients. "After several of our skilled nursing clients were impacted by California wildfires, we worked on a solution to provide an alternative source of power so the lives of their vulnerable residents would not be at risk," explained Jeff Blair , CEO of BSD Builders, Inc. "We reached out to several energy infrastructure companies to support this initiative and were surprised that there was little interest. When we connected with the team at 2G Energy, Inc., they were not only amenable but enthusiastic to help find a way to help protect patients' health and safety." In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed legislation requiring skilled nursing facilities to maintain at least 96 hours of backup power. The BSD SSC Microgrid solution was developed not only to help skilled nursing facilities meet this new mandate but also to provide any building with a reliable and efficient source of power during outages. It was designed to withstand hurricane wind loads up to 150 mph and has been seismically certified (California OSHPD/HCAi OSP-0826). "Partnering with BSD Builders allows us to bring microgrid technology to people who need it most," said Darren Jamison , Managing Director of 2G Energy North America. "Microgrids are crucial for both enhancing energy security and reducing carbon footprints, and we are thrilled to collaborate on projects that not only drive innovation but also promote a more sustainable energy future." The first projects under the partnership are expected to be deployed in California , with plans to expand to additional markets in the coming months. The partnership underscores both companies' commitment to sustainability and their shared vision of reshaping the future of energy. For more information on BSD Builders, Inc. and 2G Energy Inc., or to inquire about the microgrid solutions, please visit bsdbuilders.com . About BSD Builders, Inc. - BSD Builders, Inc. is a leading general contractor specializing in the healthcare industry. Focusing on exceeding industry standards and delivering exceptional value to clients, BSD Builders, Inc. continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the construction and energy sectors. About 2G Energy Inc. - 2G Energy is a globally recognized leader in the development and production of combined heat and power (CHP) systems. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, 2G Energy provides cutting-edge solutions that optimize energy efficiency and environmental performance. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bsd-builders-inc-partners-with-2g-energy-inc-to-develop-advanced-microgrid-solutions-302329485.html SOURCE BSD Builders, Inc.
SALT LAKE CITY – As if Kirill Kaprizov didn’t do enough during his league-leading seventh three-point game Friday night in Anaheim to again take over the NHL scoring lead, the Wild superstar and early favorite to win the Hart Trophy then showed, in Yakov Trenin ’s words, his heart five minutes after helping the Wild become the first team to hit 40 points this season. Advertisement After first acknowledging Reese Johnson ’s Wild debut in his postgame speech, Kaprizov passed along the HARD “Hero of the Game” chain to Trenin – “the Russian Machine” — for scoring his first goal in 26 games with the Wild into an empty net from 110 feet away. It was also Trenin’s first point in 21 games. When producing points comes as easy to a player like Kaprizov, it would be easy take for granted the hardship a long drought could pose for a teammate. But Kaprizov knew how much it had been weighing on his countryman, which is why he was pumping his arms excitedly on the bench after Trenin scored. “It’s first goal for him. It’s always exciting,” Kaprizov said. “It’s nice it happens. It’s hard when you don’t score in how many games, 25, and then you score — it should be a big deal.” you thought we’d keep this one away for you?? ⛓️ pic.twitter.com/t1DPni8mtS — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 7, 2024 Trenin, who then registered his first goal streak with the Wild the next night in L.A., was touched how excited all his teammates were for him. The bench was jubilant, with players hugging each other, pumping their fists and Marco Rossi giving Trenin a water bottle shower during his celebratory fly-by. “Everybody was so happy to give me knuckles,” Trenin said. “It’s so special.” trenin goal!! first for the wild and the bench is celebrating!!! pic.twitter.com/egTPhMsGMk — nikki ☽ (@kingfleury29) December 7, 2024 In coach John Hynes’ mind, when your best player shows that much awareness, it speaks volumes about Kaprizov’s character. “He really is down to earth,” Hynes said. “He’s a great player, a competitor, but he’s a team guy. He’s involved in all the team. You can tell his teammates love him because he treats everyone the right way. “You go on the road and guys go to dinner or guys go out on their night off. He’s right in the mix with everybody else. That does bring a team together when you have a star player like that that’s just one of the guys. Off the ice he’s one of the guys.” GO DEEPER The story behind the Wild victory chain: 'Choose your hard,' Hartzy's workshop and a new team attitude On a team that doesn’t generate a ton of chances (the Wild rank 25th in expected five-on-five goals for, according to MoneyPuck) but still ranks 13th in goals per game (3.19), Kaprizov has scored or had an assist on 42 of the Wild’s 86 goals. Kaprizov, 27, who has rewritten the Wild record book in his five seasons, has 372 points in 304 games. That’s fifth on the Wild all-time. If he keeps his current pace, he could actually pass Marian Gaborik’s 437 points (502 games) for second this season. Advertisement Kaprizov is currently tied for first in league scoring with 42 points and ranks first in points per game (1.62), even-strength points (32) and points on the road (10-18-28). He’s tied for first with 14 multi-point games, tied for fourth with 17 goals and seventh with 25 assists. He’s fourth among NHL forwards in average ice time per game (22:22). He has factored in on 10 game-winning goals (four goals, six assists), most in the NHL. SECONDS AFTER BOESER HIT THE POST, KIRILL KAPRIZOV WINS IT FOR THE WILD IN OT! #mnwild pic.twitter.com/2Rm2MDT2zF — Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 4, 2024 The definition of the Hart Trophy is “most valuable to his team.” Considering how many hockey writers predicted the Wild to not make the playoffs, if they do and he keeps up this 54-goal, 132-point pace, Kaprizov will be right in the mix for the Hart Trophy come voting in April. “Guys like (Kaprizov), they have the ‘it’ factor,” defenseman Zach Bogosian said. “I think what makes Kirill so impressive is how hard he competes on pucks. He wins a lot of stick battles, and you gotta realize too he’s playing against every single night the other team’s top pair that are trying to shut him down, and generally more defensive forwards that are trying to shut him down, and that line down. “And just to see how he can create offense against guys that are defensive minded, that’s impressive.” Hynes has seen Hart Trophy seasons up close and personal. He was in New Jersey when the Devils traded Adam Larsson to the Oilers for Taylor Hall . During his second season in Newark, Hall scored 39 goals and 93 points to lead the Devils into the playoffs, just edging Nathan MacKinnon for the Hart. “When Taylor won that year, it was very similar to Kirill in the sense of the way they practice, there’s a mission in practice and the way they come into every game, just the competitive level, the drive that they play with and the consistency level,” Hynes said. “To get to that level, to be the MVP, it’s the consistency of your play at a high, high level, and that year he was like that. Advertisement “We were a semi-rebuilding team and no one picked us for playoffs. ... But he was almost ... at times he was like unstoppable. He just found different ways every night. It would be off the rush. It would be net-front goals, power-play goals, similar to what’s going on (with Kaprizov). But to me what stands out is the level of consistency that he was able to play with.” Even with sidekick Mats Zuccarello injured, Kaprizov’s showing he’s not solely dependent on Zuccarello. He’s produced with Marco Rossi or Joel Eriksson Ek at center or Matt Boldy on his wing. “It’s so much fun,” Rossi, who has nine goals and 23 points in 27 games, said of playing with Kaprizov. “(Boldy and I) know he’s on a heater right now, so we just try to support him.” He’s also been double-shifted a lot in games with the third and fourth lines depending on circumstance and situations. In the last 10 games without Zuccarello, Kaprizov has seven goals and 12 points. “He can drive the line, whatever line he’s on,” Hynes said. “Kind of with Taylor that year and then looking at Kirill, they can play on any line. It’s not just like he needs someone to get him the puck. He can play with Zuccy and they have that chemistry. He can play with Ekky and Bolds and they have chemistry. Then I can throw him out with Marco and Bolds or you can put him out with ( Marat Khusnutdinov and Devin) Shore because he plays the game — he plays all aspects of the game. “He can forecheck. He can play in the O-zone. He can attack off the rush. He can score at the net front. So it’s not like he needs a particular style of player to play with. Whatever the game is, he can play it and that’s I think another component of being able to be that consistent.” Like his partner in crime, Zuccarello, Kaprizov is often self-deprecating when self-assessing. In Anaheim, the Kaprizov-Rossi-Boldy line combined for four goals and nine points. As Trenin said hilariously, “It was too fast for my brain. Probably the same for Anaheim. Boom, boom, backdoor, backdoor.” Wild goals never get old #EastToCelebrate x @budlight pic.twitter.com/93BTO7nenN — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 7, 2024 But Kaprizov said, “With Zuccy and Ekky out now, we just try and put us together. We play before a couple shifts sometimes in different games, but today we play whole game together. I feel like Marco fast, Bolds fast. I’m a little bit fast and just feel each other a little bit, just try and create offense and enjoy playing together.” Advertisement And, frankly, that’s the key with Kaprizov right now. Hart Trophy-level or not, the Wild are winning routinely. In fact, Tuesday night in their first-ever trip to Utah, they’ll try to avoid losing consecutive games in regulation for the first time this season. But the vibes are great inside the Wild room right now. As Bogosian said, “Winning does that for teams and cultures,” and you can just see the joy on Kaprizov’s face every time he walks into the rink and certainly when he walked out after another productive night. “It’s just team, you know?” Kaprizov said when asked how he maintains the level he’s playing at. “Team keep winning, and it’s easy to play myself and it’s easy to play for the whole team and just love to come to the rink. Everybody’s smiling, joking around, and have some fun and same you go in the game you jump on the ice and you just try to show your best. That’s it.” (Photo of Yakov Trenin celebrating his goal: Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images)
None