Tuesday, January 19, 2016 The Forum Section D

SPORTS

By Chad GraffSt. Paul Pioneer Press

St. Paul

During Devan Dubnyk’s six-week stint playing for the Predators in Nashville, Tenn.

– where the Minnesota Wild played Saturday in a 3-0 loss – his wife and son briefly moved there with him.

His parents visited once during what was ultimately an unsuccessful time with the Predators, one that lasted less than two months before the Predators traded Dubnyk in March 2014.

But Dubnyk’s career resurrection will come full circle when he returns to Nashville as the Wild’s lone all-star representative in two weeks, and he’ll bring his family along with him, this time a chance to more appreciate what the Music City has to offer.

“It wasn’t the most positive circumstance at that time,”

Dubnyk said. “So this will be a much better trip to Nashville for sure.”

Hockey all-star games are rarely a showcase for goalies, something Dubnyk is well aware of.

But this season, the NHL is offering a different all-star game format, one that pits the league’s four divisions in a 3-on-3 tournament with a cash prize on the line for players of the winning team.

“You might even see a couple blocked shots,” Dubnyk joked. “We’ll see. Maybe a penalty or two.”

As for what is expected from the goalies in this format, Dubnyk isn’t sure. In last season’s all-star game, the final score was 17-12.

REVIVAL DUBNYKofWild goalie returns to Nashville in top form for All-Star game

Photo illustration by Meaghan MacDonald / The Forum

Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk will represent the Wild in the NHL All-Star game on Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Dubnyk is a former member of Nashville’s team, the Predators, where he struggled in his brief time before he was traded.

Wild at Ducks

When: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday

TV: NBCSN

DUBNYK: Page D2

USA Today Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, right, attempts a wrap-around shot against Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk on Nov. 7 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Will Benson / Forum news Service

Members of the Twins Winter Caravan, from left, manager Paul Molitor, TV voice Dick Bremer and outfielder Byron Buxton share a laugh and talk with the audience at Monday’s stop at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria.

Buxton, Molitor highlight Twins Caravan stop

By Will BensonForum News Service

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – Excitement surrounding the Minnesota Twins base-ball organization received an uptick this winter after a young crop of talent pushed its playoff hopes to the final weekend of the season in early October.

Alexandria was once again a part of the Twins’ annual winter caravan tour on Monday, as more than 225 fans came to the Holi-day Inn to see Twins man-ager Paul Molitor, rookie

sensation Byron Buxton, relief pitcher Casey Fien and television broadcaster Dick Bremer.

On the heels of the first winning-season (83-79) in four years, the Twins have a returning cast set on mak-ing further organizational strides.

Outfielder, manager share optimism of future while at Alexandria, Minn., stop.

TWINS: Page D3

IF YOU GOWhat: Twins Winter CaravanWhen: 6:30 p.m. today; doors open at 5 p.m.Where: Fargo Air MuseumInfo: Tickets are $8 and on sale at the Midwest Radio of Fargo-Moorhead at 1020 South 25th St. Confirmed players are Tyler Duffey, Trevor May and Tony Oliva, while play-by-play announcer Cory Provus will also be in attendance.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Can anyone challenge UND for Penrose?

Grand Forks

For the first time in 14 college hockey seasons, St. Cloud State

will not come to Ralph Engelstad Arena.

It’s unfortunate timing for the split in the schedule, because it’s starting to look like North Dakota and St. Cloud State will once again battle for the Penrose Cup as National Collegiate Hockey Conference champions.

BRAD E.

SCHLOSSMAN

Forum News Service

SCHLOSSMAN: Page D2

UND HOCKEY