Month: January 2024

Sharks close out home stand with tough loss to Toronto 4-1; Loss streak continues for SJ at 11 straight

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks. Mario Ferraro getting warmed up against the Toronto Maple Leafs (taken on January 6th, 2023). 

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- On a rainy Saturday evening the San Jose Sharks (9-28-3) and Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-7) took to the ice for the first of back-to-back home at home matchups between the two teams. The Leafs won their third game in row defeating the Sharks 4-1 at SAP Center. It was San Jose’s 11th consecutive loss.

A familiar face was in between the pipes for Toronto as former Sharks goaltender Martin Jones got the start. Who surprisingly heading into this one has been playing stellar hockey with 10 wins and a 2.20 GAA and .930 SV%.

Getting his second start in a row was Mackenzie Blackwood who played great in his last start a loss against Winnipeg making 28 saves.

The first period started out slow but quickly fell into Toronto’s control which was helped by a five-on-three after Thomas Hertl and Mikael Grandlund were both called for penalties. The Maple Leafs power play made quick work of the Sharks penalty killing unit as Mitchell Marner scored his 15th goal of the season making it 1-0.

Realistically though the score could’ve been much worse as the Maple Leafs hit the post three times and Blackwood had to make some stellar saves. This being especially highlighted by the fact that at the end of the first the shots favored Toronto 18-3.

The middle frame got off to a pretty sleepy start as the Maple Leafs looked to be playing on cruise control. On the other side of the rink the Sharks through the first ten minutes only managed to add two more shots to their total. 

It continued to be an unremarkable period until in the dying moments when with less than a minute left Calle Jarnkrok spun around in the slot and fired one home. The goal was Jarnkrok’s 10th goal of the season and got a decent response from the large amount of Leafs fans in attendance. 

Team Teal started the third with a little more jump as Jones had to make a couple of solid saves. 

The true dagger came when William Nylander rushed down the right wing and sniped one past Blackwood making it 3-0. The goal caused some “Go Leafs go” chants to rain down from the crowd that was becoming increasingly more filled with Toronto fans. 

There was a glimmer of hope as Fabian Zetterlund made a beautiful pass that he hooked over to a wide open Granlund who tapped it home. The goal brought some life back into the stadium and was his fifth of the campaign. 

Not long after that Nylander truly iced the game as he snuck home his own rebound after a great save by Blackwood making it 4-1. 

With the loss the Sharks record now stands at 9-28-3 while the Leafs improve to 20-10-7. 

The shots in this one ended at 34-24 in favor of the Maple Leafs with Blackwood making 29 saves while Jones made 23. 

The three stars of the game: 1st: William Nylander 2nd: Mikael Granlund 3rd: Auston Matthews 

With the three game home stand now behind them the Sharks will go on a five game roundtrip. Starting with these same Leafs as they’ll do battle on Tuesday at 4 p.m. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Bumpy Move – A Recall for Oakland’s Mayor

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Rendering of the Oakland/Las Vegas A’s ballpark that is expected to be presented next week. The future park located at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino location in Las Vegas is expected to be completed by 2028 (photo from Schools over Stadiums and Las Vegas Locally)

A’s Bumpy Move – A Recall for Oakland’s Mayor

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–A’s are late submitting their renderings for the new Las Vegas stadium, which is nothing new since they have been late on just about everything in their relocation ordeal from the very beginning; they first selected land at the Rio, Las Vegas, then they changed their minds and moved to buy land at the Tropicana, which is where they have settled to build a 30,000 seat stadium, maybe 33,000 on nine acres.

Not all is well today in the City of Oakland, once called the “City of Champions, “when all three professional teams won league titles, A’s, Raiders, and Warriors. There is a recall of the Mayor of Oakland, Sheng Thao, who was elected last November, but her problems are much bigger than the A’s leaving The Town, as crime is as high as ever, and a group of organized citizens just started a recall.

They will need 25,000 signatures. A professional team leaving Oakland during Mayor Thao’s tenure is a huge loss, but the city’s rise in crime is a bigger issue. A Mayor, of any city, number one responsibility is safety, without safety, a city cannot operate. Some in Oakland are also calling for the city to declare a State of Emergency. That is how bad things are going in The Town.

The great Gertrude Stein was an American novelist, poet, playwright, and art collector, raised in Oakland, California.

The story is told that Gertrude Stein, once said that the problem with Oakland was, ”When you get there, there isn’t any THERE there.” She might be right!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Major League Baseball Update podcast with Michael Duca: Giants will have to wait until July for Ray; A’s had good reason to not allow B’s to play at Coliseum in June

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Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray in the M’s dugout after being lifted in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians on Fri Mar 31, 2023 at T Mobile in Seattle has joined the San Francisco Giants pitching staff on Fri Jan 5, 2024. Ray is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until July 2024. (AP News file photo)

On the MLB Update podcast:

#1 Michael just wanted to kick off the podcast with the deal that the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants sewed up on Friday. The Giants got pitcher Robbie Ray and in exchange for outfielder Mitch Haniger, pitcher Anthony DeSclafani and $6 million on the surface of it who got the better of the deal?

#2 The other part of the deal Ray is owed $73 million and has a $24 million opt out over the next three seasons. Haniger formerly played with the Mariners and will be returning how well will he be received by his old fans.

#3 Ray is the key focus of the deal he’s not expected to make his Giants debut until July. Ray is recovering from Tommy John surgery. How confident are the Giants they’re not getting damaged goods and that Ray will be an impact pitcher for the pitching staff.

#4 Michael, turning the Oakland B’s the Pioneer League team that wants to use the Oakland Coliseum for just one game on Thu Jun 29 but the A’s have exclusive rights to play baseball at the Coliseum. The Ballers had a license agreement with the Coliseum Joint Authority. The A’s are saying absolutely not.

#5 The Ballers and their co-founder said that he was inspired by last season’s reverse boycott and said it was a emotional healing event for Oakland. How offended are the A’s by the Ballers support for the reverse boycott from last season and the upcoming boycott on opening night that might have brought the decision not to allow the B’s to play at the Coliseum.

Michael Duca is a MLB analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks aim to end 10 game skid tonight against Maple Leafs at SAP

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The San Jose Sharks defenseman Mike Ferraro (38) brings the puck up from behind the net as the Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) anticipate Ferraro’s arrival in front of the net at SAP Center on Thu Jan 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Winnipeg Jets Gabriel Vilardi broke a 1-1 tie on power play goal in the third period as the Jets came away with a one goal 2-1 win at SAP on Thursday night.

#2 The Jets also got some good goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck with 27 saves. The Jets delivered on defense to keep the Sharks out of the net making it close in a game that the Sharks went all out but just couldn’t seal the deal.

#3 “It’s fun,” Vilardi said. “It’s fun to play hockey. It’s fun when you win. Obviously, anyone can say that, but we have belief in each other and play for each other. We’ve got to keep going.”

#4 The Sharks extended their loss streak to ten straight games and this game was the closest they came to snapping their loss steak which is a franchise record.

#5 The Sharks go after it again tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have won four of their last ten games. It seems everybody is out for the Leafs every time they come. The Leafs won their last game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 2-1 in overtime. Mary Lisa how do you see these two teams matching up tonight?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Defeat Raptors 135-130; Sabonis unstoppable scores second triple double for Sac two games in a row

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By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night after taking on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. The Kings expended a lot of energy in the game on Wednesday as it went to double overtime. The Kings ultimately won the game by the final of 138-135.

On Friday, the Kings were set to welcome in the Toronto Raptors. It was an exciting matchup for the Kings, with all the trade speculation swirling of a trade between the Kings and the Raptors. Prior to tip-off, it appeared the talks between the teams had cooled, and nothing appeared to be possible.

Time would tell if the two teams could get a deal done. The tip-off against the Raptors was set for 7 PM PST on Friday. The Kings defeated the Raptors 135-130 on Friday night at Golden One Center.

In the first quarter, the Kings came out playing well. The Kings shots were falling on the offensive end, and the defense was paying well on the other end of the floor. The Kings outscored the Raptors 36-27 in the first quarter to build a quick lead.

In the second quarter, the Kings did more of the same to expand the lead going into halftime. The Kings outscored the Raptors in the second quarter 41-30 to go up big going into halftime. The Kings would lead 57-77 going into halftime as they built a sizable lead. Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes led the Kings in the first half with 12 points. RJ Barrett and Dennis Schroder each had 11 in the first half.

In the third quarter, the Kings took a regression in the game. The Kings defense faltered in the quarter as they allowed the Raptors to score 40 points. It was a defensive meltdown for the Kings, who would look to tighten things up in the final quarter to maintain the lead. The Kings scored 30 points in the third quarter to go into the fourth with a 10-point 107-97 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the game would turn into a dogfight. The Kings were trying their best to maintain the lead. However, some of the Kings found themselves in foul trouble. Sabonis would foul out of the game with just over a minute to go.

The Kings went to Chris Duarte in place of Javale McGee. The Kings would get outscored in the final quarter 33-28. However, the Kings would still hold on for the win 135-130. It was a tough-fought win for the Kings, who once had a 20-point lead.

The Raptors best performances came from Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, who both scored 20 points. The Kings best performance came from Sabonis, who had a 24-point, 15 rebound, and 10 assist game.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday at 3 PM PST in Sacramento.

Despite Struggles Golden State Beats Detroit Pistons 113-109; Paul fractures left hand will need surgery next week

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Golden State Warrior guard Chris Paul will need surgery on his left hand after fracturing it against the Detroit Pistons on Fri Jan 5, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Detroit Pistons (3-32) put quite a fight but Golden State (17-18) met the challenge and came away with the win 113-109. The Warriors handed the Pistons their 32nd loss of the season.

Game recap: The first quarter was a close one with the Warriors leading after the first twelve minutes 22-20. The turnovers were mounting for Golden State and through 1 1/2 quarters they already had nine. Through the same 1 1/2 quarters Warriors guard Stephen Curry had not scored a single point getting another very slow start. 

At 4:35 in the second quarter, Curry scored three free throws and at 3:26 scored his first basket of the game followed by a three point jumper. A Curry flurry was exactly what the Warriors needed as the first half began to wind down. The Warriors led at the half 50-46 after having led by nine points in the second quarter. The Pistons were not backing down refusing to go away.

The turnovers for Golden State were a problem in the first half with 12. Detroit was protecting the ball very well with only five turnovers which accounted for some of the success they were having in this game.

At halftime, bench player Dario Saric , had the high score with 12 points and starter Jonathan Kuminga had 11 points. The team would be looking for some production in the second half from not only Curry but also from Klay Thompson. The good news for Golden State was the late half action from Curry.

As the third quarter came to an end, the Pistons were making a move pulling to within four points. After three quarters the Warriors were clinging to a four point lead 79-75. 

In the final seconds of the third quarter, Detroit had pulled to within one point proving to be a very real threat. There were five more turnovers for the Warriors in the quarter now with a total of 17 through three quarters.

The Pistons continued to hang around and with 3:45 left in the game, the Warriors were hanging on by a single point 95-94. With 1:56 left in the game it was all tied up at 100. With 1:32 left in the game the Pistons took their first lead of the half 103-102. 

Curry finished off this game with a couple of free throws and a 28-foot jump shot followed by a second 28-foot shot. The final was 113-109 and the Warriors were lucky to get this win. Detroit put up quite a fight pushing Golden State to their limit.

Both the third and fourth quarters of this game finished in a tie. The Pistons pulled out all the stops but the Warriors proved to be just a little too much. Curry had the high for the team with 26 points and Thompson finished with 19.

 It was not the Warriors finest offensive nor defensive effort. They have been struggling on defense and it really showed in this game. They had 19 turnovers just when it seemed that they were turning it around.

Post game notes: Friday night the Warriors took on the Pistons after losing a heart-breaker last night against the Denver Nuggets who pulled off a Nikola Jokic buzzer beater 130-127 for the win. Jokic hit a 39-foot three pointer with 0.1 left on the game clock. With 4.1 seconds on the clock, Curry turned the ball over making this loss an especially tough pill to swallow. 

The Pistons who are having a miserable season. At one point they had lost 28 straight games for the longest losing streak in NBA history. That streak ended last Saturday at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit with a narrow 129-127 victory.

Warriors guard Chris Paul fractured his left hand Friday night against the Pistons and will need surgery sometime next week. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr made the announcement right after the game. Paul went 23 minutes scoring eight points, six rebounds and had four assists before having to leave with the fracture.

Sunday evening the Warriors continue their home stand taking on the Toronto Raptors. They will be looking for a better offensive and defensive effort and then there are those pesky turnovers to deal with.

The Warriors have a lot to clean up. Toronto comes to Golden State after losing to the Sacramento Kings Friday night 135-130. The Kings had a 20 point lead in the third quarter of the game and Toronto came roaring back. Golden State has a lot to address; they cannot afford another game like Friday night’s. Tipoff for the game Sunday is scheduled for 5:30 PM. 

 

   

Despite heroic first half performance by Myron Amey Jr. SJSU falls to Boise State 78-69

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Photo courtesy of San Jose State Spartans. Latrell Davis dribbles up the court.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Spartans welcomed Boise State to Provident Credit Union Event Center for a Mountain West clash.

Heading into this one San Jose State was coming off a loss against Wyoming in heartbreaking fashion. While on the other hand the Broncos had won their previous game against Utah Valley 85-63.

If the first half had a headline it would have to include Myron Amey Jr. who simply could not be stopped.

Accounting for more than half of SJSU’s 40 points Amey dropped a truly remarkable 25. With most of them coming from beyond the arch as he went 5-7 from three.

Despite the fantastic performance Amey wasn’t getting much help as the next closest scorer was Trey Anderson with six.

On the other side of the floor O’Mar Stanley was cooking in the paint with 15 points and five rebounds.

Heading into the second half with a five point lead it felt like SJSU was poised to pull off the upset.

Unfortunately for the blue-and-white though Amey went cold and the offense continued it’s poor first half play.

In comparison to the first Amey only had five points while Alvaro Cardenas lead the way with nine in the second half.

The Broncos went the opposite of cold as Stanley continued his stellar play with 15 points in the second half while Tyson Degenhart joined in contributing 17 as well.

What really put the game away was an 8-0 run by Boise State that sealed the deal and sucked all the life out of the stadium.

A frustrated Tim Miles slammed his clipboard against the hardwood floor at the 3:57 mark during a timeout but by then it was too late. The broncos took the lead on that same play making it 67-65 and they never looked back.

It was another game were SJSU lead most of the game but couldn’t hold on dropping their record to 7-8 and 0-2 in conference. Boise State with this win improves to a stellar 10-4 and are now 1-0 in conference.

“I mean at the end of the day we’re playing division one college basketball so I mean teams are gonna adjust and do whatever they can we can’t let that happen turnovers are a big part of the game,” Myron Amey Jr. said after the game.

San Jose State is now in desperate need of a win but their next opponent will not be easy as they will have to battle San Diego State. That game will be on Tuesday at home at 8 p.m.

Reign use special teams to beat Barracuda in 2-0 shutout win

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Ontario Reign forward Andre Lee (#26) crashes the crease in a sea of San Jose Barracuda players including goalie Eetu Makiniemi (#32) in the second period at Toyota Arena on Friday JAN 5, 2024. (Ontario Reign)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Ontario Reign scored two special teams’ goals in the second period to upend the San Jose Barracuda in a 2-0 shutout victory on Friday evening at Toyota Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last five games. Ontario has won two of its last three games is undefeated against the Barracuda in three games this season.

Ontario had the ice tilted in their favor in the scoreless first period as they outshot San Jose 11-6 in the opening frame. The Reign had the only power play opportunity but failed to capitalize on it.

The Reign (17-10-3-1) drew first blood late in the second period with a power play goal. TJ Tynan’s attempted pass was knocked out of the air by Shakir Mukhamadullin. The puck pinballed around in front of the net before Akil Thomas poked home the puck for his ninth goal of the season at the 13:19 mark.

Ontario doubled its lead with a short-handed goal late in the middle frame. Thomas battled Tristen Robins for a loose puck in the neutral zone. Taylor Ward, who trailed the play, picked up the puck and skated in a breakaway before depositing the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his third goal of the season with 19 seconds remaining.

Ward’s goal snapped a five-game goal-less draught.

San Jose (11-15-4-0) weren’t able to generate any offense despite having three power play opportunities throughout the contest. The ‘Cuda pulled Makiniemi for an extra attacker with 2:37 remaining in the game to no avail as Ontario held down the fort in the final two and a half minutes.

Reign goalie Erik Portillo (9-4-1-1) stopped all 25 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the season to snap a four-game winless streak. Makiniemi (4-4-0-1) made 25 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Porillo 2) Thomas 3) Ward.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario conclude their two-games series on Saturday 1/6 at 6:00pm at Toyota Arena.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Fisher may not have the money for stadium; Sources say he’s been talking to other casino owners to chip in for the $1.1 billion cost

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Does Oakland A’s owner John Fisher have the $1.1 billion to pay for Vegas/Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas? (photo by Athletics Nation)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Maybe it’s a good thing that Oakland A’s owner John Fisher doesn’t have to pay a relocation fee because he’s having a hard enough time trying to find $1.1 billion to pay for his share of the building construction for the Tropicana ballpark. So far word is he has not plopped down the $1.1 billion and that he just very well may not have the money.

#2 There was talk that he was going to ask Goldman Sachs for the loan to cover the cost of paying for the construction share but after learning what the interest rates for the loan that bit of news got really quite.

#3 The A’s and the Tropicana were supposed to present the renderings for the new ballpark but that was called off earlier in December after two Nevada Deputies were killed and a renderings announcement would be rescheduled. Then it was expected maybe mid December but here we are in the first week of January and the only thing we’ve heard is the renderings are supposed to take place next week.

#4 Sources say that the A’s and the Tropicana have been showing renderings to other Casino owners and from those sources no casino operator has been willing to put in his share towards the stadium financing. If this is the case Fisher clearly doesn’t have the money and is going with hat in hand up and down the strip.

#5 Schools over Stadiums who might be the last hope to stop public financing for a new ballpark on the strip has come out with their campaign push on their X page stating reasons why funding the Tropicana ballpark with public money over education is a bad idea. Schools over Stadiums is looking for voter support in the event they can get an initiative on the ballot that would stop public funding of an A’s Las Vegas Park. Whatever the outcome for Schools over Stadiums the fight is on.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host 12th place Raptors tonight at Golden 1

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The Orlando Magic forward Pablo Banchero (5) tries to defend against a Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shot during the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah. the Orlando Magic were shorthanded but the Sacramento Kings were still able to persevere and win out in double overtime on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center 138-135.

#2 The Kings got help from Domantas Sabonis who chalked up another triple double, 22 points, 23 rebounds and 12 assists.

#3 Malik Monk went all out with 37 points and he did it off the bench for the Kings. The 37 points for Monk made him the team leading scorer for the evening. Making every basket that Monk could spare valuable as the Kings did whatever they could to win this one.

#4 The Magic’s power forward Pablo Banchero was just outstanding and difficult to defend finishing with game leading 43 points. For the Magic he was the key that kept them in this game forcing double overtime.

#5 The Kings came away with the win on Wednesday night and now host the Toronto Raptors who occupy 12th place in the Western Conference. The Raptors have won four of their last ten games and have won two games in a row coming into Sacramento on Friday night for a 7:00pm PT tip.

Jeremiah does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com