MN Sports Headlines for Thursday, Dec. 29th

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Colin Wilson scored the only goal in the

shootout to give the Nashville Predators a 2-1 win over the

Minnesota Wild last night. Jordin Tootoo had a goal in regulation

for the Predators. Dany Heatley put up a third-period goal for the

Wild, who dropped their eighth straight game.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings quarterback

Christian Ponder is expected to start Sunday against the Chicago

Bears. Ponder returned to practice yesterday after passing all his

concussion tests. The rookie was knocked out of last week's game

against the Washington Redskins.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Vikings starting cornerback Asher

Allen has been cleared to play in the season finale after passing

his post-concussion tests. Allen participated fully in practice

yesterday after missing all of last week's game against Washington.

Starting guard Anthony Herrera didn't practice yesterday because of

a lower-back injury.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - The Vikings will finish another

season without a local television blackout. Chief marketing officer

Steve LaCroix says a "very limited number" of tickets are left

for Sunday's game against Chicago. That means the team's streak of

consecutive sellouts has been extended to 144 contests.