Minnesota Loses Another Conference Championship

The state of Minnesota is now 0-2 in conference championship games in 2010.

After impressive wins against Michigan State and Purdue in the Big Ten tournament, the Minnesota Golden Gophers became the most recent to come close to a trophy, only to leave fans hungry after losing to Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference title game.

The Minnesota Vikings lost the NFC Championship Game last January to the New Orleans Saints.

In fact, losing big games has become a recent trend in Minnesota sports. The Minnesota sports scene was the only sports market to have an appearance in all four major sports conference championship games (Vikings in 2000 and 2009, Timberwolves in 2005, Twins in 2002, and Wild in 2003) without a world championship appearance.

Since the Minneapolis Lakers left for Los Angeles in 1960 after winning six titles from 1948-54, Minnesota teams have had a difficult time advancing to world championship games.

Minnesota pro sports are 9-13 in conference championship games since 1960. The Vikings are 4-5, the Timberwolves are 0-1, the Twins are 3-3, and the North Stars/Wild are 2-4.

And of those 9 world championship appearances, Minnesota has won only two world titles, with the Twins winning the World Series in 1987 and 1991.

The Vikings lost the Super Bowl in 1969, 1973, 1974, and 1976. The Twins lost the World Series in 1965, and the North Stars lost the Stanley Cup Finals in 1980 and 1990.

Since Minnesota's last World title in 1991, Minnesota is 0-6 in conference championship games.