DULUTH — Minnesota Duluth junior goaltender Eve Gascon was back in the Bulldogs’ crease Saturday less than 24 hours after being helped off the ice of Amsoil Arena with an apparent shoulder injury.

One of four goaltenders competing to be on Canada’s 2026 Olympic women’s hockey team, Gascon made 28 saves in her return, but it wasn’t enough for No. 4 UMD in a 3-2 loss to No. 3 Minnesota in Duluth.

Gascon left Friday’s 4-0 loss early in the second period after diving and reaching back for a puck that had gotten by her and across the crease. The Bulldogs’ All-American goaltender had her shoulder looked at before being helped off the ice and into the locker room.

Gascon made 16 saves on 18 shots before being replaced on Friday by freshman Sophia Villanueva, who also made 16 saves on 18 shots in her college debut.

Bulldogs coach Laura Schuler said Saturday that Gascon was pulled from Friday’s game as a precaution, and that evaluations Friday night and Saturday morning proved Gascon was 100% ready to return for Saturday’s game.

“She wanted to play,” Schuler said. “When you have a world-class goalie like that who wants to be in the net, you give them that opportunity. I thought she was outstanding for us today.”

Sophomore center Caitlin Kraemer and sophomore wing Josie St. Martin scored for UMD on Saturday, with Kraemer giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead 7:55 into the second period. St. Martin, a transfer from Ohio State, pulled UMD within a goal via an extra attacker power play goal with 3:56 left in the game.

“A great back and forth game,” Schuler said. “I was proud of our girls at the end when we went for it on the 6-on-4. I thought they did a fantastic job of being able to put one away for us, and unfortunately, the time just kind of ran out.”

Fifth-year senior captain Abbey Murphy scored two goals for the Gophers while senior forward Josefin Bouveng got the goal that tied the game at 1-1 just 3:26 after Kraemer gave UMD the 1-0 lead.

Minnesota sophomore goaltender Hannah Clark made 37 saves on 39 shots, including 17 saves in the third period.

The Bulldogs have not beaten the Gophers since knocking them off in the 2022 NCAA regional final at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis en route to the Frozen Four and NCAA championship game. UMD is 0-14-1 since then and has lost seven straight.

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A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to stop its takeoff from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport en route to Portland, Ore., on Thursday after a mechanical issue led to smoke and flames coming from an engine.

Takeoff for Delta Flight 1661 was discontinued and the Boeing 737-900 returned to its gate after crew members reported an issue with one of the aircraft’s engines, according to the airline. No injuries were reported.

“Delta Flight 1661 from Minneapolis to Portland returned to the gate following a suspended takeoff due to a mechanical issue,” said a Delta spokesperson in a statement Saturday. “Customers were reaccommodated on another aircraft and landed in Portland approximately two hours late. We apologize to our customers for their delay in travel.”

“ABC World News Tonight with David Muir” aired footage Friday of the takeoff, which showed flames and smoke coming from the aircraft’s right side as it moved down the runway before emergency crews responded.

The flight included 180 passengers and six crew members and maintenance teams will examine the aircraft, according to the Delta spokesperson.

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On the heels of a 1-3-1 road trip, Wild coach John Hynes said Friday he wanted to see his team battle with more consistency throughout a full 60-minute game, on draws, on the boards and in the corners — anywhere that players can win possession and put their team on the attack.

It didn’t happen on Saturday. The Wild came out of the gates with little energy and in less than five minutes fell behind the Utah Mammoth 3-0 — and it cost them another two points.

Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Utah Mammoth defenseman Olli Määttä (2) battle for position during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

Former Gophers star Logan Cooley scored a pair of goals in the game’s first 3:29, and goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 33 shots as the Mammoth made that early lead stick in a 6-2 victory at Grand Casino Arena.

Nick Schmaltz made it 3-0 with a goal at 4:58, giving the Mammoth all the goals they would need to improve to 7-2-0. Cooley had the first assist on J.J Peterka’s game-sealing goal at 13:37 of third period, and Schmaltz added a second goal on a late breakaway.

Gustavsson finished with 35 saves.

Marcus Johansson scored twice for Minnesota, his first two-goal game since Jan. 23, 2024, against Washington and sixth since Dec. 2017. His second, a 3-on-4 power-play goal, pulled the Wild within 3-2 with just more than four minutes to play in the second period.

The Wild drew a quick power play to start the third period — Jack McBain was called for tripping — but despite some juicy chances couldn’t add to their momentum.

Cooley started the scoring when he deflected an arcing back with his backhand, ruining Filip Gustavsson’s plan to glove it. Instead, it caromed off the goaltender’s back for a 1-0 lead at 56 seconds. His second goal, poked up and over Gustavsson at the crease, made it 2-0 at 3:29.

The Wild scored a quick-strike goal late in the first when Johansson one-timed a pass from Zeem Buium to cap a tick-tac-tie rush and make it 3-1 at 15:39, but the Wild never really controlled play until concurrent roughing penalties reduced each team to four skaters with just over six minutes to go in the second period.

Johansson got free at the crease and Ian Cole was called for hooking, giving the Wild a 4-on-3 advantage. Vincent Hinostroza skated the puck into the zone on a breakout and found Johansson in the right circle, whence he scored on a shot that got behind Vejmelka to make it 3-2 at 15:43.

It was Minnesota’s 10th goal with a man advantage this season, same as their even-strength goals, although they failed to scored 6-on-4 in the closing minutes. Instead, John Marino scored an empty-netter to make it 6-2.

Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson celebrates scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Utah Mammoth, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Gophers’ win at Kinnick Stadium in 2023 has become lonely in the recent series history with the Hawkeyes.

With a 41-3 blowout loss to Iowa on Saturday, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck fell to 1-8 against the Hawkeyes in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry since 2017. Fleck lost his first six games against Iowa from 2017 to 2022, earned a road win two years ago, but has since lost two in a row to the Hawkeyes.

“It’s valid and facts of what we haven’t done,” Fleck said. “We’ve had a lot of close games, too. We won here two years ago, which hadn’t been done since 1999. It’s really hard. (The Hawkeyes) have had lots of cultural sustainability. They’ve done a really good job recruiting. They are a really good football team. That is why they are always in this position. They are a really hard out. I think we are becoming a really hard out after nine years. We are.”

Fleck noted all the ways Saturday’s game got out of hand, including back-breaking returns for touchdowns: one on an interception, the other off a punt. Those two game-changing plays, and two offensive scores and a field goal made it 31-0 after only 19 minutes of game time.

“This game got away from us really quick,” Fleck said.

Taylor sidelined again

Besides the rivalry trophy, the Gophers also lost top tailback Darius Taylor on Saturday.

Taylor had only one carry for one yard, which came on the first play offensive play of the game against the Hawkeyes. A bit later, he went to the sideline and didn’t return for the second half.

“The medical staff will take care of that,” Fleck said postgame. “I will do everything I can to update you as we go along.”

Taylor has struggled to stay heathy this season. The true junior from Detroit injured his hamstring in the Northwestern (La.) State win in September and missed two games against California and Rutgers but returned to play against Ohio State and Purdue.

Taylor had his best game of the season in the 24-6 win over Nebraska last week — 24 carries for 148 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

With the blowout and Taylor sidelined Saturday, the Gophers turned to Fame Ijeboi — who finished with nine carries for 17 yards — and Cam Davis — who had two carries for four yards. When the game was out of hand, Xavier Ford had eight carries for 25 yards.

Briefly

Gophers AD Mark Coyle told the KFAN pregame show he is a proponent of expanding the College Football Playoff from the current 12 teams up to 24. … Fleck remains one win short of Glen Mason on the U’s career wins list at 64. … Minnesota is one win win short of six and bowl eligibility, with a home game against Michigan State next Saturday. … Gophers cornerback John Nestor returned from a one-game injury absence to play against his former school. but he left the Iowa game with another injury. … Cornerback Mike Gerald and safety Garrison Monroe remained out, per the U’s unavailable list shared two hours before kickoff Minnesota was also without receiver Logan Loya and linebacker Jeff Roberson in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game.

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