Month: January 2020

Wild edge Barracuda in overtime 4-3

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sjbarracuda.com photo

by Marko Ukalovic

DES MOINES, Iowa- A seasaw battle between the San Jose Barracuda and the Iowa Wild ended in a thrilling 4-3 overtime win for the Wild on Saturday evening at Wells Fargo Arena.

Louie Belpedio scored the game winner with one minute left in the overtime session as the Wild split their two game weekend series with the ‘Cuda.

The loss snapped the two-game winning streak for San Jose. Iowa evened their record to 3-3 against the Pacific Divison this season.

San Jose (14-20-0-2) jumped out to a early lead just 62 seconds into the first period while killing a penalty. A backhand pass by the Wild was knocked away by Nick DeSimone. Dylan Gambrell made a touch pass over to Evan Weigner and he outraced two Wild defenders before depositing a backhand shot through the 5-hole of Wild goalie Mat Robson for a short-handed goal, his seventh goal of the season.

The ‘Cuda doubled their lead midway through the opening frame when Lukas Radil led a 3-on-2 rush into the Wild zone. He fed a pass to the right over to Noah Gregor who quickly made a touch pass back over to the left to a wide open Gambrell who tipped the puck past Robson for his third goal of the season at the 9:24 mark.

Iowa (22-14-3-2) cut the deficit in half near the end of the period. Belpedio won a faceoff draw back to the Dmitry Sokolov who made a move toward the net and fired a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for the first of his two goals on the night at the 16:32 mark.

The Wild scored the equalizer in the first five minutes of the second period. Luke Johnson sent a cross-ice pass over to a open Will Bitten whose shot was initially saved by Sawchenko. However the rebound trickled out to Kyle Rau and he slammed it home for his ninth goal of the season at the 4:23 mark.

Iowa gained its first lead of the game with under three minutes left in the middle frame. Belpedio found Sokolov open at the top of the right faceoff circle and he blasted a one-timer past Sawchenko for his second goal of the game and 11th of the season at the 17:17 mark.

Just when it looked like Iowa had the game locked up while on the power play with under two minutes remaining in the third period San Jose striked for the equalizer. Noah Gregor led a rush up the ice along with Jonny Brodzinki. Jonny on the spot then fed it to a trailing Jacob Middleton who buried a wrist shot the far side of Robson for his first goal of the season at the 18:25 mark.

His first goal of the season could not have come at a better time for San Jose as it snapped a 34 game goalless drought for the ‘Cuda defenseman.

Robson (8-7-4) stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced to earn his eighth win of the season. Sawchenko had a good night in goal, despite suffering the loss, as he made 37 saves on 41 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-2 on the power play. Iowa was 1-for-5

Weinger netted his team-leading second shorthanded goal of year.

Gambrell recorded his third multi-point game (one goal, one assist) over his last six games.

Saturday was the third time in franchise history in which the Barracuda scored two shorthanded goals in a game and the first since 3/26/17 at Tucson.

The announced attendance was 10,928.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda continue their roadtrip in Bakersfield to take on the Condors on Wednesday 1/22 at 6:30pm at Mechanics Bank Arena.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sign-Stealing Scandal–Politician calling for Congressional Oversight Hearing

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congress.gov photo: Illinois Rep Bobby Rush is calling for an official congressional investigation into the sign stealing scandal involving MLB general managers, managers, players and front office staffs
Sign-Stealing Scandal:  Politician calling for Congressional Oversight Hearing
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
Amaury Pi-González
Representative Bobby Rush from the State of Illinois wants an official Congressional Oversight hearing on the current scandal. He had said so in a letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is in charge (among other things) of oversight of major league sports. So now the government might get involved as major league baseball is going to an unprecedented crisis.
Last time Washington D.C. got involved in a baseball scandal was 2005. The Mitchell Report – (steroids era) some players had to testify in public open hearings among those were Mark McGwire,Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. During that scandal Barry Bonds and Bret Boone were Implicated, while others like José Canseco and Ken Caminiti admitted their use of steroids.
As the Office of the Commissioner of baseball continues this wide investigation others aside from Representative Bobby Rush are also voicing their opinions. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote in a resolution urging MLB to recall the World Series trophies awarded to the Astros in 2017 and Red Sox in 2018 and award them to the Dodgers instead.  Pitcher CC.Sabathia, who announced his retirement last season,said that the Yankees got cheated by the Astros and Manfred should take their away their title.
Looks like Dusty Baker is getting interviewed this Monday by the Houston Astros for their open managerial position. Good luck to a good genuine baseball man.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum will be participating again at the Oakland Athletics Fanfest this next Saturday the 25th from 9:30AM to 3:00PM at Jack London Square. Admittance if Free. All are welcome to visit our new bilingual website https://www.hhbmhof.com/
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice of the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks just ain’t right without Couture

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news.yahoo.com file photo: San Jose Sharks Logan Couture (39) skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets Seth Jones (3) in Saturday’s Jan 4th game in Columbus

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The loss of Logan Couture has struck this team on many levels but his leadership is vastly missed.

#2 Couture is very well depended on by his teammates and TSN says Couture is expected to be out for the next six weeks a long time when you depend someone like that.

#3 The Sharks last two games have risen concerns they were defeated on Tuesday night in Arizona by the Coyotes 6-3 and let in three goals in the third period that made the difference for the Coyotes.

#4 Then on Thursday a 4-0 shutout loss to the Colorado Avalanche it was all Aves as they scored twice in the first period and twice the second period Shark goaltender Marty Jones faced 38 shots and allowed in all four goals.

#5 The Sharks conclude this rugged three game road trip tonight in Vancouver as they face the Cancuks at Rogers Place Mary sets this one up for us.

Join Mary Lisa each Saturday for Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Sid skates like a Kid 3 goals 3 games since his return; Steel gets the breakaway for Ducks win; plus more

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photo from athletic.com: The Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby (88) celebrates a goal against the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Arena on Tuesday in a 7-2 win. The Penguins defeated the Red Wings on Saturday night 2-1.

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby scored on a power play goal at 1:33 in overtime that got the game winner over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Crosby who was out for 28 games showed he never missed a step scoring three goals over three games.

#2 The Anaheim Ducks scored a game winner in over time as Sam Steel took the puck on a breakaway at 1:36 to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Erik Gudbranson scored a goal as the Ducks goalie Ryan Miller stopped 25 shots.

#3 The Tampa Bay Lighting’s Anthony Cirelli got his first NHL hat trick in the Bolts 7-1 laugher over the Winnipeg Jets. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov scored two goals in the six goal win.

#4 The San Jose Sharks Patrick Marleau wants to retire as a San Jose Shark and does not plan to move to another team like he did when he went to Toronto for two seasons. Marleau can still skate and teams have inquired about Marleau’s services but the Sharks are all in in keeping Marleau for as long as he wants to play.

#5 The NHL All Star game is next Saturday in St Louis some of the biggest and brightest stars on ice will skate for the Pacific, Metropolitan, Central and Atlantic divisions.

Len Shapiro does the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday and is filling in for Matt Harrington on the NHL podcast today at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Sign Stealing Scandal Altuve–Fallout “I never worn an electronic device”

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usatoday.com photo: Jose Altuve Houston Astros has been accused of wearing a wire to help in sign stealing

Sign Stealing Scandal: Fallout “I Never worn an Electronic device” -José Altuve”.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

My father in Cuba used to tell me: “A veces pagan justos por pecadores” -translation: “One does the harm and another bears the blame”.

It doesn’t matter how many people were cheating in this sign-stealing scandal, the game’s integrity, credibility is in question in this very serious ethical crisis, even if it were only a handful of people. All because the misuse of technology, replay monitors near the dugout, managers, coaches, players maybe wired. All involved in cheating the game of baseball. When this happens the whole sport suffers.

I like to believe not all 750 players, plus managers and coaches, general managers and others on the 30 major league teams where on this Sign-Stealing journey, and we can only go on what the MLB investigation will reveal. All 30 teams open their Spring Training in less than thirty days. I can only image what the scene will be on the first day for the Astros at their West Palm Beach, Florida facility. The media, not only sports media, but in general the major news media.

Within moments of learning that the Manager and General Manager of the Houston Astros were let go,Terry Francona, veteran Manager of the Cleveland Indians was on MLB Network: “We did not do that in Cleveland”.

Today José Altuve the heart of the Astros, three-time AL batting champion, denied wearing an electronic device under his uniform, according to his agent Scott Boras. This was in response to social-media speculation that Altuve did not want his jersey ripped off by his teammates after his walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman of the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2019 American League Championship Series, because he was wearing an electronic device on his chest to provide signals on which type of pitch was coming.

Many have said baseball must take harder measures of punishment. Like for example taking the 2017 crown from the Houston Astros who defeated the LA Dodgers in seven games during the World Series and giving the title to the Dodgers.

Although MLB has not released in full their investigation (still ongoing) I doubt they want to re-make history. This investigation continues as they continue interviewing managers, general managers, scouts, even the names of such baseball royalty as two-time World Series champion and Hall of Fame member Tony LaRussa have been mentioned in the whole mess.

The next chapter will be coming soon. But this story is not close to its end, yet.

I leave you with this moment in baseball history:
During the 1919 Black Sox scandal a gambler by the name of Arnold Rothstein fixed that World Series. A huge scandal for the game. A young boy pleaded to “Shoeless”Joe Jackson as he left the Grand Jury room, “Say it ain’t so,Joe, say it ain’t so” Jackson replied, “yes kid,I’m afraid it is so.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish color talent for San Jose Sharks hockey and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Barracuda third period outburst tames Wild 3-1

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photo sjbarracuda.com

by Marko Ukalovic

DES MOISES Iowa- Better late than never is the philosophy the San Jose Barracuda used in the third period as they scored three unaswered goals to defeat the Iowa Wild 3-1 on Friday evening at Wells Fargo Arena.

This was the first game San Jose has played outside the Pacific Division this season in the first of four games they will play against Iowa this season. The ‘Cuda have won two games in a row. The Wild are 2-3 against the Pacific Division this season.

The opening 20 minutes went scoreless with San Jose outshooting the Iowa 10-5. Each team had a power play opportunity with neither team not being able to cash in with the man advantage.

Iowa (22-14-3-2) drew first blood near the end of the second period. Jacob Middleton slipped and fell while trying to clear the puck out of the ‘Cuda zone. Brandon Duhaime collected the puck and made a back hand pass over to Dmitry Sokolov who buried a shot top-shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his ninth goal of the season at the 15:29 mark.

Despite outshooting Iowa 13-11 in the middle frame, San Jose still trailed 1-0 at the second intermission.

San Jose (14-20-0-2) began their comeback 33 seconds into the third period. Alexander True led a rush into the Wild zone. His centering pass deflected off a Wild defender onto the stick of Nikolai Knyzhov who quickly fed over to Jeffery Viel to the right of the net. Viel than tapped the puck into the empty net for the first of his two goals of the game and seventh of the season.

The ‘Cuda gained the lead when Jonny Brodzinski intercepted a clearing attempt by the Wild. He made a pass over to Trevor Carrick at the left slot and Carrick sent a cross-ice pass over to Sasha Chmelevski who buried a wrist shot to the short side of Wild goalie Kaapo Khakonen for his seventh goal of the season at the 6:22 mark.

Iowa pulled Khakonen for an extra attacker with two minutes remaining in an effort to score the eqaulizer but Viel dashed the Wild’s hopes of scoring the equalizer when he won a race to a loose puck inside the Wild zone and desposited the puck between two Wild defenders into the empty net for his eighth goal of the season and second of the contest at the 18:29 mark.

It was the first time in Viel’s career he has had a multi-goal game.

Sawchenko (3-1-0) stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced to earn his third win of the season. Khakonen (14-5-1) allowed two goal on 29 shots in suffering the loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-3 on the power play. Iowa was 0-for-2.

Prior to Friday, the Barracuda were just 3-16-0 when trailing after two periods.

After the win, the Barracuda are now 4-2-1 all-time against the Wild.

The announced attendance was 5,596.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda conclude their two game series with the Wild on Saturday 1/18 at 4:00pm at Wells Fargo Arena.

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Packers-49ers talk about Sunday’s game preparation

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sfgate.com: San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (50) attempts a tackle during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. 

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 Joe the big pay day has arrived the NFC Championship between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. How nervous, how prepared and how driven are both teams?

#2 Kyle Shanahan 49ers head coach calls the media scrums during the week a “dog and pony show”

#3 The 49ers have been pouring it on they did so well at one point during the season that it looked like they had a good chance at having a perfect season.

#4 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo felt some pain from his surgically repaired left leg when someone hit into it during practice Tuesday. Garoppolo said he felt better and that the pain went away on Wednesday.

#5 It’s Aaron Rogers quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and how much work will the defense need to prepare for the Rogers?

Catch Joe Lami for the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NFL Playoffs podcast with Joe Hawkes: Chiefs and Mahomes have been doing it all season; Are Packers up or down in meeting with 49ers Sunday?

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foxsports.com photo: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates as he comes off the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.

On the NFL podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 The Kansas City Chiefs have been one of the top notchers and well coached teams in the AFC. Talk about the job that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has done this season?

#2 Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes has guided the Chiefs all season long. How do you see him throwing against the Tennessee defense?

#3 In the NFC the Green Bay Packers swear by quarterback Aaron Rogers but can the Packers and Rogers come up with a game plan to shoot the 49ers down?

#4 49ers tight end George Kittle didn’t practice on Wednesday due to ankle soreness and was bending at the waist during practice. Is Kittle going to be ready for Sunday?

#5 The odds makers have the 49ers picked by 7.5 points can the 49ers win this one? Joe says it’s 49ers 28-21.

Join J Hawkes for the NFL post season podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears Thursday game wrap: USC makes work of Cal 88-56; Bears drop to 8-9

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calbears.com photo: Cal Bears Matt Bradley (20) takes it to USC on Thursday night, Bradley led Cal with 13 points in Southland

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

It was too much Jonah Mathews and Daniel Utomi as the USC Trojans (13-3) defeated the Cal Bears (8-9) on Thursday night 88-56. For Mathews 19 points and for Utomi 17. It was the eighth win in nine tries for USC.

Onyeka Okongwu contributed with eight rebounds and scored 12 points in the victory. The Trojans dominated the contested as Cal could only lead for the first minute and a half and it was all Trojans after that.

The Trojans sank 14 three pointers and took their liberties about it with Mathews chalking up three 3 pointers. Cal’s Matt Bradley scored 13 points as Cal’s top scorer. Bradley normally noted as the top scorer on the Bears could only do so much as the Trojan defense proved just effective.

Cal guard Kareem South scored 12 points but the Bears failed in 20 tries out of 25 to make the three point shot. From the free throw line the Bears suffered just as well going 11-22. The Trojans were well in front in each quarter leading Cal by at least 16 points per each half and pulled down 45 rebounds to Cal’s 28.

The Bears go back to the drawing board as they head to Pauley Pavilion for a Sunday night game with the UCLA Bruins (8-9) for a 5:00 pm tip. The Bruins were walloped by the Stanford Cardinal (15-2) in their last game 74-59.

Morris Phillips and Michael Duca podcast and cover Cal basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors play well still lose in overtime 134-131

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sbnation.com photo: Warriors continue their skid as they lose to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Chase Center in San Francisco

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- The Warriors welcomed back Damion Lee and Marquese Chriss to the team Thursday night. Lee is no longer a two-way player. He signed a three-year contract with the club on Wednesday. Chriss was waived to make room for Lee.

None of the other 29 teams signed him and the Warriors were able to sign him to a two-way contract. With those two young men in the lineup, the Warriors had to face the Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center. The Nuggets, coached by the Warriors former assistant coach Mike Malone, own the second-best record in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets were missing three key players Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray. Those three players score about 41 points a game. The Warriors were without three key players, too. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevon Looney were not available.

The young Warriors gave the Nuggets a much tougher battle than they imagined. The Warriors led most of the way until late in the fourth quarter. The Warriors didn’t fold. They clawed their way back to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Nuggets, with three very tall players, were able to hold off the Warriors to win the game 134-131.

The Nuggets grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on the first bucket of the game. The Warriors made three threes to lead 9-3. They outplayed the Nuggets and finished the first quarter leading 34-19. The Warriors continued to hold the led for the entire second period. The Warriors offense stalled and they committed too many turnovers.

The Nuggets went on a 16-4 run to close the gap to 46-41. Alec Burks, D’Angelo Russell led the Warriors on a 13-2 run to finish the quarter leading 62-45. Russell, with 12, and Damian Lee, with 11, paced the Warrior offense.

The Nuggets, determined not to lose to Golden State, outscored the Warriors 28-23 in the third quarter. They cut the lead to eight 79-71, but the Warriors made buckets near the end of the period to lead 85-73 after three periods of play.

The Nuggets upped the ante in the fourth quarter. They had their two bigs, Nikola Jokic and Mason Plumlee, on the floor at the same time. The Nuggets wanted to get the ball into the hands of Will Barton and Malik Beasley. Barton and Beasley were on fire and they were making threes. The Nuggets defense did its job as they held to 28 points while they scored 40. Denver took a lead late in the game but the Warriors found a way to tie the game and send it to overtime.

The Nuggets showed why they are one of the best teams in the NBA. They made the first basket in the extra stanza. They increased the lead to seven 128-121 when Will Barton knocked down a three. The w’s trailed by six when Damion Lee connected on a three and Draymond Green made two free throws to cut the deficit to one 132-131 with 9.9 seconds left to play. Damion Lee missed a three that would have tied the game, but time ran out and the Nuggets prevailed 134-131.

Game Notes and Stats- The Warriors probably played their best game of the year. The Warriors coaching staff had to be impressed with the effort of his young team. The fans at the Chase Center realized that the team was making progress. It didn’t help that it was the Warriors tenth loss in a row. Many people are saying that the Warriors will be so much better next year when Curry and Thompson return.

Here are some of the positives that the people watched Thursday night. The Warriors had seven players in double-figures. The team made 20 threes. They moved the ball well and recorded 36 assists. The negatives were the 18 turnovers and losing the rebounding battle 50-4.

Alec Burks led the club with 25 points. Lee had 21, Russell 19, Glenn Robinson 17, Eric Paschall 16 ( 12 in the 4th quarter), Jodan Poole, and Willie Cauley-Stein each had 10.

Will Barton, the well-known Warrior killer, paced the Nuggets with 31. Barton made seven threes in ten tries. Malik Beasley posted 27 points and he made five threes. Jokis had a double-double with 23 points and 12 board. Mason Plumlee also had a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. The third big man, Michael Porter, Jr. recorded a double-double, too. He had 18 points, 10 points, and five assists. He made three threes in three tries.

With the loss, the Warriors are now 9-34. Denver’s record improved to 29-12.

 

 

 

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