OK, they were upset by the KC Chiefs in the Super Bowl, but anyone who claims to have seen the regular season coming in August is lying.
North Stars owner Norm Green receives a high-five from a fan following the team’s 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of the Norris Division Finals at the Met Center in 1991. (David Brewster/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
4. Northern Stars 1990-91
Goofy Norm Green was the new owner, there were less than 5,000 people for a game against Montreal in January, and Norm called me (not really Mr. Hockey) at home the next morning, almost in tears, saying to myself, “What am I going to do?” TO DO?”
Three months later, he was saluting like Nero from his perch at the Met Center as the packed house greeted him with “Norm” chants as his 15th-ranked team headed to the Stanley Cup Final.
5. Vikings 2024
As a judge of the improbable, no matter what happens now, it will forever remain mind-boggling that this team – with a projection of seven wins in preseason betting – sits at 14-2 in the New Year.
6. 2003-04 Gophers women’s basketball
Lindsay Whalen returned from a broken hand to resume star production, Janel McCarville asserted her strength inside and Williams Arena was full of new fanaticism to start the NCAA Tournament.
And as a No. 6 seed with a collection of personalities hard to match, the Gophers, by far, reached the Final Four.