Month: September 2022

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Homecooking puts Golden Bears back in win column; Cal’s Ott runs past Wildcats in Berkeley

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Cal Bears Jaydn Ott rushes for a 73 yard carry against the Arizona Wildcats on Sat Sep 24, 2022 at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris after a tough loss at Notre Dame last week the Cal Bears redeemed themselves with a rather convincing win over the Arizona at Cal Berkeley last Saturday 49-31.

#2 Basically the mantra was give the ball to Jaydn Ott and when Cal quarterback Jack Plummer did Ott was off to the races carrying for 274 yards and three touchdowns.

#3 On a second play of the first quarter from scrimmage Ott was so reliable he took the ball and ran for 73 yards. Ott also who appeared to have been stopped on another play turned around and took the ball for an 18 yard carry.

#4 Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said of Ott that he’d seen flashes for a long time and has a lot of ability to take it to the house. Morris do you view this game as a break out game for Ott?

#5 On Sat Oct 1st the Bears head to Pullman to take on the Washington State Cougars. The Cougars got edged by the Oregon Ducks 44-41 before that loss the Cougars had won three straight games. This no doubt will be another big test for coach Wilcox and the Bears.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Home Run record is 61, not 73

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New York Yankees star Aaron Judge needs just one more home run to tie the American League home run mark in one season held by the late and former Yankee Roger Maris. Here Judge walks to first base after getting a base on balls from Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello on Sun Sep 25, 2022 at Yankee Stadium in New York (AP News photo)

The Home Run record is 61, not 73

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

New York Yankee Aaron Judge is just one home run away from tying the American League record of 61 by Yankee Roger Maris in 1961.

Considering all that has happened in baseball since 1961, including the steroids era, it is understandable to believe the real home run record for a regular season (as of today) is that of Roger Maris, 61.

Barry Bonds (2001) who hit 73 home runs holds the major league record. In 1998 Mark McGwire ended with 70 home runs and that same year, Sammy Sosa finished with 66 home runs. We all know these three sluggers did not establish those one season-records without the use of PED’s.

The three have enough lifetime home runs and hitting stats to have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, five years after their last year of play, but we also know why they have not been elected. It remains to be seen if and when they will be elected. More on this at the end.

With nine (9) games left for the Yankees, beginning this Monday. 26 of September, Aaron Judge might soon be the all time home run hitter for a regular season in the history of Major League Baseball.

The New York Yankees, who have won 27 World Series, would be proud to have the three sluggers that made original history. Babe Ruth 60 in 1927, Roger Maris 61 in 1961 and Aaron Judge in 2022.

As far as baseball historians are concerned, Ruth, Maris and Judge have done it without scandals. Induction into the Hall of Fame is based on performance during a whole career.

Babe Ruth is in Cooperstown, Roger Maris, was never elected and Aaron Judge, is way too early to tell, although he is not a rookie, but 30 years old, have been a Yankee since 2016 and to date has hit a total of 218 home runs. However, I am talking about a “the one season home run record”.

Starting this Monday the 26 of September the Yankees visit Toronto for 3 games, return to Yankee Stadium in New York for 3 games against the Baltimore Orioles and then they close the season at Texas against the Rangers for a 3-game series that will end their regular season on October 5.

Aaron Judge will have the last nine (9) games of the season to tie Roger Maris 61 home run record in 1961, and at least one more, 62, to establish the new record. If he achieves it, Aaron Judge will own the new record in the American League.

However, in my humble opinion his record should be the legitimate overall MLB home run record. MLB still recognizes Barry Bonds 73 home runs in 2001 as the current record for home runs in one season. Bonds and others mentioned here and not mentioned here, keep falling short of Hall of Fame election.

The Era Committees, formerly known as the Veterans Committee, consider retired Major League Baseball players no longer eligible for election by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), along with managers, umpires and executives, whose greatest contributions to the game were realized in one of four eras.

Committees meet at the MLB Winter Meetings. The home run record for one season is independent of these committees, but baseball can still correct themselves, if they wish to do so, although I believe they will not.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I respect it. I hope you respect mine.

The regular 2022 season ends on October 5, and a couple of days later the postseason will get under way. The latest 2022 World Series odds have the LA Dodgers (+350) and Houston Astros (+425) at the top of the board with the Mets (+550), Yankees (+550) and Braves (+850) circling behind.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play Spanish announcer for the Oakland A’s on flagship station LeGrande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Broncos force two turnovers to end the game in 11-10 win over the 49ers

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Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson dives for a first down to extend a drive at Empower Field at Mile High against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Sep 25, 2022. (Niners Wire)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was an ugly ending to an ugly looking football game.

The Denver Broncos defense needed two turnovers at the end of the game to defeat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday 11-10 in a sloppy game on Sunday evening at Empower Field at Mile High.

Denver quarterback Russell Wilson, stymied by San Francisco’s defense for the most of the game, came alive early in the fourth quarter using both his arm and his legs to engineer a 12 play 80-yard touchdown drive that consumed 6:04 of the clock.

Wilson was able to get himself out of tight jams during the drive, either by running for first downs when the pocket collapsed or finding receivers at the last second, including a clutch pass to Kendal Hinton for 27 yards on a third down and 10. Running back Melvin Gordon III capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to give Denver its only lead of the game with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

“Really in the fourth quarter, I had to kind of use my legs and kind of take over,” Wilson said. “Just try to move around and find some first downs. Kendall Hinton making that big play. I went left—I guess I can still go left.”

San Francisco (1-2) drove into Broncos territory with under three minutes remaining. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was pressured by Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell, who was a thorn in the side of the Niners offense all night, and forced a errant throw into double coverage trying to connect with wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The ball was tipped up in the air and intercepted by Jonas Griffith at the Denver 41-yard line

The 49ers defense gave the offense one more chance for a winning drive when it forced a three and out and regained the ball with 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The drive lasted just two plays when running back Jeff Wilson Jr. had the ball punched out of his hands after a reception by P.J. Locke. Kareem Jackson recovered the ball at the 49ers 24-yard line to seal the fate for San Francisco.

San Francisco drew first blood on their second offensive possession. Garoppolo led a six play 75-yard scoring drive that took just over the three minutes. Garoppolo hooked up with Brandon Aiyuk on a quick slant route for a three yard touchdown reception. The drive was aided with a 37-yard run from running back Wilson Jr.

That would be as good as it got for the 49ers as their second half woes on offense was a combination of poorly called plays, penalties and turnovers that prevented them for extending their lead and repeating the success they had moving the ball in the first half.

“In the second half, never got into a rhythm. When we did, we had that fumbled snap. Got backed up (in our own end), went into the safety. Had another turnover. Didn’t get the run game quite going. When you don’t convert a third down till I think that last drive, it’s usually not a good recipe (for success),” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

Denver (2-1) had nothing to write home about on offense in the first half as Wilson, who was very familiar going up against that defense when he played in Seattle, could not establish a rhythm with the first three series ending in three straight three and outs. The Broncos managed to get a 55-yard field goal from Brandon McManus early in the second quarter.

The momentum of the game changed at the 9:51 mark of the third quarter. Backed up at their own two-yard line, Garoppolo dropped back to throw a pass out to the flat, but stepped out of bounds before he threw ball resulting in a safety (which would’ve been a pick-6 by Bradley Chubb had he not stepped out) cutting the lead down to 7-5.

“That was a tough situation I put him (Garoppolo) in. We made too many mistakes. I don’t think anyone played well on offense, including myself (in the second half),” Shanahan said.

San Francisco left tackle Trent Williams was injured on the play when his legs were taken out from behind him by Dre’Mont Jones that resulted in a high ankle sprain. He did not return to the game.

Despite tight end George Kittle’s debut where he caught four balls for 28 yards, the 49ers offense was stagnant and was dominated by Denver’s defense.

“That’s just bad offense,” said Kittle when recounting all the offense’s mistakes. “Especially when the defense is playing the way they are, giving us opportunities. I think our goal is much higher than that, but at the lowest we can’t do that.”

Wilson finished with a subpar game going 20 of 33 for 184 yards with no touchdowns but didn’t throw a interception. He was sacked four times for 24 yards. Courland Sutton led Denver in receiving with eight catches for 97 yards. Running back Javonte Williams chipped in with 58 yards on 15 carries.

“In the end, it’s just about one more point than the other team. I give so much credit to the 49ers, they’re a phenomenal team. Their defense, their offense, they are a very good team. So that was a heck of a battle,” Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said.

Garoppolo went 18 of 29 for 211 yards with one touchdown and that one critical interception. He was also sacked four times for 32 yards. Samuel had five catches for 73 yards to lead San Francisco in receiving. Wilson Jr. contributed 75 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished a dismal 1-for-10 on third down conversions. Denver went 6-for-19.

San Francisco linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair suffered a knee injury in the second half which Shanahan believed it could be an MCL injury.

The 49ers defense forced 10 punts, marking the most punts recorded by an opponent against the Niners since 2016 (10 punts vs Los Angeles Rams 9/12/16).

Wilson is now 17-4 in his career against San Francisco.

UP NEXT: San Francisco returns home to host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football 10/3 at 5:15pm at Levi’s Stadium.

Oakland A’s game wrap: A’s can’t contain Alsonso hits for 5 RBIs; Scherzer shuts A’s down in 13-4 win

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Oakland A’s pitcher Norge Ruiz rubs up the new baseball after delivering a home run ball to the New York Mets Pete Alonso who is in the background rounding the bases in the top of the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso took advantage of Oakland A’s pitching hitting for a home run, a double and five RBIs for a new Mets record. Mets pitcher Max Scherzer threw for six innings giving up just four hits and one run and struck out seven.

The Mets are now just a 1.5 in front of the Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East. The Mets are rolling they have won eight of the last ten games. The Braves will host the Mets next week for a three game series and the battle for first place could boil down to those three games.

Alonso’s five RBIs pushed him to first past former Mets catcher Mike Piazza (1999) and David Wright (2008) who each had 124 RBIs. The home run by Alonso was his 39th of the 2022 season and Alonso even hit a home run on Saturday even though the Mets got walloped in that game 10-4. Sunday’s home run was Alonso’s second home in two straight games.

Alsonso said after the game that it was an honor to surpass Piazza and Wright for the team RBI record. Alonso got a two homer in the top of the fourth and got three RBIs in the top of the eighth and he shared credit saying he couldn’t do it without his teammates.

The A’s head to Anaheim in hopes to win a series at the Big A on Tuesday as they will start James Kaprielian (4-9, 4.43) and for the Angels Patrick Sandoval (6-3, 3.01) first pitch 6:38 pm PDT.

Penalty filled game ends with Sharks on top over Kings 3-2

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Photo Credit to the San Jose Sharks. Kevin Labanc warming up before the game against rival Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (@SJSharks photo)

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE–On a warm Sunday in San Jose both the fans and the players would help to raise the temperature inside of SAP center as the San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime in the first preseason game for each team.

It wouldn’t take too long before the Sharks would find the back of the net as Luke Kunin would score 6:56 into the first period from Thomas Hertl and Timo Meier.

Jasper Weatherby would start off the penalty fest that would be this game with a roughing penalty at the 17:48 mark. By the end of the game the Sharks would finish at 0/7 on the power play while the Kings would finish at 0/8.

Tying the game up would be Kings forward Carl Grunstrom at the 59 second mark of the third period assisted by Brandt Clarke and Brenden Lemeiux

It felt like the Kings had fead off of the second period momentum they had generated as the Sharks only mustered two shots early in the third period.

Giving the Sharks the lead back Meier would score on a nice deflection off a shot from Matt Benning also assisted by Hertl at the 9:50 mark of the third period.

Continuing their solid play Blake Lizotte would score at the 17:25 mark of the third to tie it assisted by Grundstrom on a two on one play were Kahkonen would have no chance.

Playing the hero Logan Couture would find twine at the 1:27 mark of overtime assisted by Erik Karlsson and Kevin Lebanc sending the crowd into a frenzy.

As the penalties suggest it would be a physical game with the Sharks totaling 31 hits and the Kings ending up with Kaapo Kahkonen would finish with a solid 43 saves on the night while on the other side of things Jonathan Quick would make 17 saves and Matt Vilata made 11 saves.

Kahkonen would comment after the game on all the penalties taken, “Obviously there was a lot of penalties in this game so the rhythm was a little off for both teams I guess but we found a way to win so that’s always nice.”

The Sharks next game is against the Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Sap Center in San Jose.

PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Late birdie gives Flesch a comeback win

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Steve Flesch gets the pictured Pure Insurance Championship Trophy Award at Pebble Beach on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (@PUREFirstTee photo)

By Jeremy Harness

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Steve Flesch lost his lead on the back nine and appeared to be sunk momentarily but nonetheless hung in there long enough to give himself a chance at the end. And when that chance presented itself, he took full advantage.

He found himself tied for the lead at the par-five 18th as others fell back late, and he nailed an eight-foot birdie putt to claim the Pure Insurance Championship, his second win on the PGA Champions Tour this season.

“It’s exciting; I’ve always played well here,” said Flesch, who also won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic earlier this year in Hawaii. “It really felt good to get that win. I’m just glad I capitalized on 18.”

Flesch started the final round in a tie for second and didn’t waste any time moving his way up. He birdied each of his first four holes to spring into the lead by two shots. He then added a birdie at the iconic par-3 seventh to add to his advantage.

However, Steven Alker, playing alongside Flesch on Sunday, rolled one in for birdie at the seventh to cut Flesch’s lead back to two. Paul Stankowski, who began the day tied for the lead at eight-under, could not get any traction early on but finally got going when he got back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh to join Alker in a tie for second.

Moments later, Ken Duke, who was tied with Stankowski at the top when the day began, made birdie at the par-four eighth to join both men at 10-under before Brett Quigley himself got to that number with a birdie at the par-four 10th.

He got himself into a tie for the lead at the 14th after knocking his approach shot stiff and then holing a short birdie putt but fell right back on the next hole with a crippling double-bogey.

Flesch began coming down to earth on the back nine and momentarily lost the lead. He suffered back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes, the latter being the result of a three-putt. However, he steadied himself following that while others, such as Duke, stumbled.

The low round of the day belonged to Ernie Els, who fired an eight-under round of 64 and capped things off by getting up and down for birdie at the par-five 18th and ended up in a tie for second. He was actually in position for a playoff had Flesch missed the eventual winning putt.

The final round did not begin until 11:15am PST, as roughly half of the field could not finish their second round on Saturday due to a three-hour fog delay and had to wait until early Sunday morning to do so.

PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Late birdie gives Flesch a comeback win

By Jeremy Harness

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Steve Flesch lost his lead on the back nine and appeared to be sunk momentarily but nonetheless hung in there long enough to give himself a chance at the end. And when that chance presented itself, he took full advantage.

He found himself tied for the lead at the par-five 18th as others fell back late, and he nailed an eight-foot birdie putt to claim the Pure Insurance Championship, his second win on the PGA Champions Tour this season.

“It’s exciting; I’ve always played well here,” said Flesch, who also won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic earlier this year in Hawaii. “It really felt good to get that win. I’m just glad I capitalized on 18.”

Flesch started the final round in a tie for second and didn’t waste any time moving his way up. He birdied each of his first four holes to spring into the lead by two shots. He then added a birdie at the iconic par-3 seventh to add to his advantage.

However, Steven Alker, playing alongside Flesch on Sunday, rolled one in for birdie at the seventh to cut Flesch’s lead back to two. Paul Stankowski, who began the day tied for the lead at eight-under, could not get any traction early on but finally got going when he got back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh to join Alker in a tie for second.

Moments later, Ken Duke, who was tied with Stankowski at the top when the day began, made birdie at the par-four eighth to join both men at 10-under before Brett Quigley himself got to that number with a birdie at the par-four 10th.

He got himself into a tie for the lead at the 14th after knocking his approach shot stiff and then holing a short birdie putt but fell right back on the next hole with a crippling double-bogey.

Flesch began coming down to earth on the back nine and momentarily lost the lead. He suffered back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes, the latter being the result of a three-putt. However, he steadied himself following that while others, such as Duke, stumbled.

The low round of the day belonged to Ernie Els, who fired an eight-under round of 64 and capped things off by getting up and down for birdie at the par-five 18th and ended up in a tie for second. He was actually in position for a playoff had Flesch missed the eventual winning putt.

The final round did not begin until 11:15am PST, as roughly half of the field could not finish their second round on Saturday due to a three-hour fog delay and had to wait until early Sunday morning to do so.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders drop to 0-3 can’t get by Titans 24-22

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First half action finds the Tennessee Titans Derrick Henry rushing against the Las Vegas Raiders defense at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich just how much were the Tennessee Titans (1-2) and quarterback Ryan Tannehill prepared for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday?

#2 Tannehill went 19-27 for 264 yards and one touchdown, one interception. Tannehill looked sharp over the Las Vegas defense.

#3 Second quarter Raiders defense couldn’t get to Tannehill or running back Derrick Henry who carried 20 times for 85 yards and scored a touchdown.

#4 Raiders quarterback Derek Carr who started went 26-44 for 303 yards, two touchdowns, and threw for one interception but the Raiders fell short by a conversion 24-22.

#5 Next up for the Raiders they host the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium can the Raiders defense shutdown the Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and company?

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders beat writer and does the Raiders podcasts following all home and away games on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Longoria pinch-single sparks Giants to 3-2 win over Diamondbacks

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San Francisco Giants third base coach Mark Hallberg, left, congratulates Ford Proctor, right, after Proctor picked up his first Major League hit at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the seventh inning on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Sunday, September 25, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Even with their postseason hopes all but fading, the San Francisco Giants put together a solid weekend in the Valley of the Sun, taking two of three games from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Evan Longoria’s pinch-hit single in the top of the eighth inning provided the go-ahead runs in the Giants’ 3-2 win Sunday.

The Giants have won six of their last seven games, and need to go 6-3 over their final nine games to reach .500.

“’I’m proud of the way the guys have prepared throughout this road trip,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “When you get towards the end of the year, it’s been a long season, and a lot of the guys are tired. But the preparation has been excellent, These guys are getting ready for games in the right way with a lot of good game-planning going on.

“We just want to see improvement through these stretches. It’s been a positive road trip in that regard.”

Longoria added, “Obviously, we need a miracle to make the playoffs, but our message has been pretty consistent throughout this month – we need to play hard and for a lot of guys in this room, there’s a lot to play for in terms of a job next year, contract money, whatever it is.

“We preach to go out there and find something every night, and that usually translates into good games and winning.”

Winning pitcher Jakob Junis (5-6) threw 83 pitches in 5 1/3 innings of a bullpen game for the Giants, giving up one run on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. Camilo Doval gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, but struck out Corbin Carroll for the final out, earning his 26th save.

In the Giants’ eighth, Brandon Crawford singled and Jason Vosler drew a one-out walk; both runners moved up on a passed ball charged to Arizona catcher Cooper Hummel before Austin Wynns walked to load the bases.

After Evan Longoria was announced as a pinch-hitter, D-Backs reliever Reyes Moronta replaced Luis Frias (1-1). Longoria delivered a single to left, driving in Crawford and Vosler with the go-ahead runs.

“We depend on (Longoria) in those big moments,” Kapler said. “He had good swings, he’s got plenty of bat speed left, and he knows what to do in those situations.”

J.D. Davis, who went 4-for-5, added a solo home run into the right-center field swimming pool off Diamondbacks reliever Mark Melancon in the top of the ninth, his 10th of the season, extending the San Francisco lead to 3-1.

“If J.D. doesn’t have the most power on the team, he’s right there with everybody,” Kapler said. “He’s locked in right now. We don’t make too much of the hot-hitter thing, but he came through against a pitcher that was throwing really hard.”

The Diamondbacks cut the San Francisco lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly to right by Pavin Smith, driving in Christian Walker, who led off the inning with a double.

Arizona threatened in the eighth when, with two out, Ketel Marte singled and Daulton Varsho walked. After Marte and Varsho advanced on a double-steal, Stone Garrett grounded out to second.

The Diamondbacks pushed a run across in the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie. Sergio Alcantara hit into a fielder’s choice and scored from first on Smith’s double to right.

San Francisco loaded the bases with two out in the top of the seventh, but came up empty. Ford Proctor and Thairo Estrada singled and Mike Yastrzemski drew a walk, prompting the Diamondbacks to replace Kevin Ginkel on the mound with Frias. Davis lined out to Alcantara at shortstop to end the threat.

Proctor’s single was his first major league hit.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Proctor said. “That’s a moment you always dream of. I just wanted to see a bunch of pitches to help me settle in, and just remember that it’s the same game, to step back and breathe a little bit.

“I had my family there, I’m very thankful for them, and so blessed that they could make it out.”

“One of the tougher decisions of the day is whether to start Proctor or Longoria,” Kapler said. “You want to give Proctor a chance to get his first major league hit and contribute like he did today.”

San Francisco opener Scott Alexander gave up one hit in a scoreless first inning. Jarlin Garcia worked 1 2/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts, followed by Junis and Doval.

Arizona starter Drey Jameson scattered five hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and three walks and a hit batter.

The Giants won despite stranding 12 baserunners.

GIANTS JOTTINGS: After taking Monday off, the Giants return home for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies starting on Tuesday. RHP Logan Webb (14-9, 2.93) will start the first game and Carlos Rodón (13-8, 2.98) is slated to start the third game. Wednesday’s starter has yet to be determined. … Announced attendance for the D-Backs’ final home game of the season was 25,389.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Maddie Dutra: Rookies fighting for a roster spot; Brent Burns skates will be hard to fill

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San Jose Sharks David Quinn looks on when he was head coach of Team USA in the Hockey World Championships against the Czech Republic in Tampere Finland on Sun May 29, 2022. Will be taking the Sharks to Prague for the NHL Global Hockey Series (AP file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Maddie Dutra:

#1 One thing about pre season hockey Maddie it gets physical with the rookies who are literally fighting for a job.

#2 No more Brent Burns he was a main stay with the Sharks. Dealt in the off season to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sharks have to move on but he’ll be missed and was a defenceman who knew how to score goals.

#3 Sharks captain Logan Couture said if two of his Russian teammates Alexander Barabonov and Evgeny Svechinkov won’t be allowed to play opening games in Prague the rest of the team will not play there.

#4 Sharks with some changes in the off season we just wanted to get the opportunity to ask you about some of those changes in first year with the Sharks general manger Mike Grier and head coach David Quinn.

#5 The Sharks open the season hopefully in Prague against the Nashville Predators a lot of new faces and getting to know each other for Quinn to mesh together for the regular season.

Maddie Dutra writes for Fear of the Fin and guested for the San Jose Sharks podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks stand behind Barbanov and Svechinkov in Czech Republic Russian ban

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San Jose Sharks Alexander Barabanov is seen here skating against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks during last season’s pre season game on Sun Sep 26, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. NHL Russian players Barabonov, teammate Evegeny Svechinkov and the Nashville Predators Yakov Trenin are banned from playing in Prague for the Oct 7th and 8th games by the Czech Republic government. (AP News file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 With the Czech Republic letting NHL teams know don’t even think of bringing your Russian players to Prague San Jose Sharks team captain Logan Couture made it clear that if Russian teammates Alexander Barabonov and Evgeny Svechinkov are not welcome in Prague the team is not welcome in Prague. Couture said they will do everything as a team.

#2 The NHL never considered banning it’s Russian players. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the NHL Russian players are there for their teams, the fans, and the league.

#3 From the Czech prospective because of their neighboring location near Russian and because the world has viewed the Russian military devastation on the Ukraine as unacceptable they have decided to ban Russian players but as the Couture has said that the Russian players didn’t do anything wrong they shouldn’t be punished.

#4 The two regular season games with the Nashville Predators are scheduled for Oct 7th and 8th in Prague and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that after the NHL received letters from the Czech Government he was assured that things can get worked out to allow the three Russian players in question to be allowed to play.

#5 Troy, got to ask you your thoughts on Sharks general manager Mike Grier who said of the Russian ban in Prague “We are a team. Either we all play, or we don’t play.” 

Join Troy Ewers filled in for Matt Harrington for the SJ Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com