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Northwest Sports Update: USA men’s hockey wins first gold since 1980, state basketball seedings, Sounders open season and more

Northwest Sports Update: USA men’s hockey wins first gold since 1980, state basketball seedings, Sounders open season and more

Photo: Saga Communications/Jason Upton


HS Basketball News

The regional matchups are set for Whatcom County’s eight teams that have made it to the state basketball tournament.

In the boys’ 2A bracket, Lynden earned the #9 seed and will host 16th-seeded Franklin Pierce on Friday in a loser-out game.

In boys’ 1A, Lynden Christian got the #2 seed and will host 7th-seeded Chelan at Lynden High School on Saturday, where the loser will play in the Round of 12 in Yakima. Nooksack Valley received the 16th seed and will face 9th-seeded Fort Vancouver on Friday in a loser-out game.

In the girls’ 2A bracket, Lynden earned the top overall seed and will host 8th-seeded Selah on Friday.

In girls’ 1A, Lynden Christian got the #3 seed and will host 6th-seeded Bellevue Christian at Lynden High School on Saturday. Nooksack Valley received the #9 seed and will host 16th-seeded King’s Way Christian at Lynden High School on Saturday in a loser-out game.

In the boys’ 1B bracket, Lummi Nation earned the top overall seed and will host 8th-seeded Wahkiakum at Lynden High School on Saturday.

And in girls’ 1B, Lummi got the #8 seed and will play top-seeded Neah Bay on Friday.

WWU Vikings News

Western’s women’s basketball team extended its win streak with another dominant showing over the weekend.

The Vikings beat Simon Frasier 78-41 on the road on Saturday to earn their sixth straight win. Five players scored in double digits to help the Viks stay within a single game of first-place Central in the GNAC standings.

Meanwhile, the Western men suffered a big setback to their playoff hopes. They fell to Simon Frasier 77-74 on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Viks now fall to two games behind the last spot in the GNAC Championships and have to win their final two games to have a chance at making the six-team conference tournament.

Winter Olympics News

The United States’ men’s hockey team is world champions for the first time in over four decades.

Jack Hughes scored the golden goal to help Team USA beat Canada 2-1 in overtime yesterday. USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 of Canada’s 42 shots, including a point-blank shot, to help the US men earn their first gold medal since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

The United States ended the Milan Games with 12 gold medals, their most ever in a single Winter Olympics, including golds in both men’s and women’s hockey. They finished in 2nd place with 33 total medals, eight behind first-place Norway, who set an all-time record.

Mariners News

Mariners spring training continued today, but spoiler alert if you’re planning to listen in on KPUG later tonight.

The M’s fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 in their fourth game of Cactus League play. Seattle managed just four hits, but Logan Gilbert was a silver lining with two innings of shutout ball in his spring training debut.

If you want to listen to the game on tape delay, we’re airing it tonight on KPUG. Coverage begins at 6:55 and first pitch is at 7:05.

The Mariners continue spring training tomorrow against the Chicago White Sox.

Sounders News

The Sounders kicked off their season with a bang.

Seattle beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in a rainy season opener at Lumen Field last night. Paul Rothrock had a goal and an assist after replacing an injured Jordan Morris early in the first half.

Seattle lost Morris to a noncontact injury in the 8th minute and Rothrock helped give Seattle an early lead seven minutes later when he set up a header by Albert Rusnák. Rothrock went on to score an insurance goal in the 62nd minute to ice the match.

Next up, the Sounders will hit the road against Real Salt Lake on Saturday. They won’t play another match at home until April 12 due to stadium updates ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

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