Sharks Win 6-2 Over Sabres, Georgiev Wins Back-to-Back Games

left to right the San Jose Sharks Mario Ferraro (38), Macklin Celebrini (71) congratulate goaltender Alexander Georgiev (40) who stopped 20 Buffalo Sabres shots at Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Tue Mar 4, 2025 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on Tuesday. Timothy Liljegren, Nico Sturm, Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli scored for San Jose. Alexandar Georgiev made 20 saves for San Jose the win. JJ Peterka and Tage Thommpson scored for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 22 saves in the loss.

After a loss in Montreal, Nico Sturm said that the Sharks were having trouble extending their lead, that they needed to “just score another goal.” The team did that Tuesday night with four goals in the third period. Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky said: “Our guys were committed to it. You could tell from the beginning of puck drop we wanted to win the hockey game. We went on the attack.”

Two wins in a row has not been easy for the Sharks, but these wins had the distinction of being on back to back nights, with an overtime and shootout the first night, and the same Sharks goalie in both games. It was a somewhat unusual schedule for the San Jose goaltender: “I wouldn’t say it threw off my routine. Just probably not a lot of sleep. After the last win, I was pretty hyped. Yeah I felt… just trying to battle it out in the first period, have a good first and see what happened.”

After a scoreless first period, the Sharks scored 1:01 into the second period. Timothy Liljegren caught a cross-ice pass from William Eklund and took a shot. The puck slid under Luukkonen and went just over the line. The officials did not see it and play went on. A later review called it a goal. Assists went to Eklund and Jake Walman.

JJ Peterka tied it at 5:13 on a power play. Peterka scored with a slap shot off of a set up by Rasmus Dahlin. Assists went to Dahlin and Jack Quinn.

Nico Sturm gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead at 18:22. Collin Graf passed the puck across the ice and it went off of a Sabres defender. Sturm was right on hand to catch that stray puck and put it away. Assists went to Graf and Klim Kostin.

The Sharks out-shot the Sabres 11-5 in the first period. The Sabres took two penalties in the first, and the Sharks took two in the second. The Sabres had a tiny edge in shots for the second period, 11-10.

William Eklund extended the lead to 3-1 at early in the third period. Catching a pass off the boards from Toffoli, he shot the puck from just above the goal line. Toffoli and Shakir Mukhamadullin got the assists.

Tage Thompson trimmed that lead at 6:55 with a slap shot off a pass from Peterka. An assist also went to Connor Clifton.

Just over a minute later, Macklin Celebrini scored his 19th of the season. He had just come off the bench and the Sharks were swarming the net. Mukhamadullin passed the puck across the ice to Celebrini for a wrist shot. An assist also went to Will Smith.

Smith scored at 12:49 to make it 5-2. Smith caught a pass off the boards from Fabian Zetterlund in the Sharks’ end. He then skated all the way to the other end, evading the Sabres defense to score his 11th of the season.

Tyler Toffoli scored into an empty net at 18:01. Assists went to Jake Walman and Timothy Liljegren.

On the trade front, Vitek Vanecek was held out of Tuesday’s game in anticipation of a trade. Which team the Sharks are dealing with has not been announced.

The Sharks next play on Thursday in Colorado against the Avalanche at 6:30 PM PT.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings go for their fifth win in a row in tough task Denver Wednesday

Sacramento Kings Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends against the Dallas Mavericks Kyrie Irving (right) in the first half at American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Mon Mar 3, 2025

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Sacramento Kings Zach LaVine scored 22 points and DeMar DeRozan followed up with 20 points. LaVine and DeRozan sat out in the fourth quarter in the Kings win over the Dallas Mavericks 122-98. It was the Kings fifth straight win.

#2 Tough break for the Mavericks Kyrie Irving was lost in the latter part of the first quarter due to a left knee sprain. How much did that impact the Mavericks loss physically and mentally.

#3 The Kings have caught fire winning winning four straight after the win against the Mavericks and have won four of their last five games. Looks like head coach Doug Christie has the team turned around again.

#4 What is impressive is that the Kings have this win streak going and handled themselves well without Domantas Sabonis whose been dominate in the triple doubles category. Sabonis who injured himself in the first minute of the Kings game in Houston last Saturday.

#5 Kings are in Denver on Wednesday night for a 6:00pm PT tip. The Nuggets are third in the Western Conference at 39-22. The Nuggets have won seven of their last ten games and have the home floor advantage. The Kings with their fourth win in a row are eighth in the Conference and are a half game back of the sixth place Golden State Warriors. How do you see this match up Wednesday night in Denver?

Tony Renteria does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Injuries adding up for Yankees Gil out with lat strain; Astros Altuve moving to left field from second; plus more news

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil and a former American League Rookie of the Year is out with shoulder and injury and will miss the start of the season (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The New York Yankees injuries are starting to adding up Giancarlo Stanton (elbows), DJ LeMahieu (calf injury) and now pitcher Luis Gil a starting pitcher has been diagnosed with a high grade lat strain in his right shoulder. With these injuries it’s got to have manager Aaron Boone concerned this early in spring training.

#2 The Houston Astros Jose Altuve is expected to play in left field this season. Altuve is an All Star and a three time MVP and has played second base in 1767 games. A gold glove winner in 2015 and 2020. The idea of putting Altuve in left was brought up when Alex Bregman was with the team but signed with the Boston Red Sox. The Astros will use Isaac Paredes at second base and play Altuve in left.

#3 Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will miss the beginning of the start of the season due to a rib injury. Murphy is an All Star and Gold Glove winner and the Braves announced that he will be on the Injured List for four to six week with a cracked rib on his left side. A big name out of the line up.

#4 The big news this week is Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering lifting the lifetime ban against Pete Rose who has been banned from baseball since 1989 for betting on baseball. If reinstated will that also open the door for Joe Jackson who was accused of being in on the fix during the 1919 World Series. Jackson has the numbers to be a Hall of Famer.

#5 The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles are finished with their litigation over TV rights that dates back to 2012 when MLB announced Monday the Nats will be freed up from their deal with Mid-Atlantic Sports Network after the 2025 season.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

Kings Roll Over Mavericks, Stay Hot in Playoff Push

Keegan Murray shoots in the game vs Dallas (Photo Sacramento Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO— The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night in Dallas, Texas. Sacramento entered the game after defeating the Houston Rockets 113-103 on Saturday in Houston. It was a gritty win for the Kings, who lost star center Domantas Sabonis just over a minute into the game due to a hamstring strain. On Sunday, the Kings announced that Sabonis would be listed as “Out” and re-evaluated in one week. His return timeline remains uncertain, though it’s reasonable to expect he will be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Additionally, the urgency of his return will likely depend on how the Kings perform in the coming games without him. Despite his absence, the Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks 122-98 on Monday night.

In other news, following the announcement of Sabonis’ injury, the Kings signed Skal Labissière to a 10-day contract. Labissière previously played for the Kings from 2016 to 2019, appearing in nearly 150 games for the franchise.

Having spent the past few days in Texas, the Kings faced the Mavericks inside American Airlines Center, tipping off at 5:30 PM PST.

The Kings got off to a strong start in the first quarter, jumping ahead early as Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd called a timeout at the 5:42 mark with Sacramento leading 15-7. Keegan Murray found his rhythm quickly, scoring eight points in the opening period, including two three-pointers. However, the Kings didn’t close the quarter as they would have liked, allowing Dallas to cut the lead to 27-24 by the end of the first.

Also in the first quarter, Kyrie Irving suffered a left knee sprain and was helped off the court by Anthony Davis and the Mavericks’ coaching staff. He did not return, and his timeline for recovery remains unknown. Before the injury, Irving had seven points in the game.

In the second quarter, the Kings maintained their strong play, though the Mavericks remained competitive. However, Sacramento managed to create some separation towards the end of the quarter. The Kings outscored Dallas 33-26 in the second quarter, extending their lead to 60-50 at the break. Sacramento’s defense was communicating well, and the team played cohesively. Keegan Murray (15 points), DeMar DeRozan (15), and Zach LaVine (14) led the charge in the first half, combining for 44 points. The Mavericks’ leading scorer at halftime was Kai Jones with 13 points.

The third quarter was a one-sided affair. The Kings dominated, outscoring the Mavericks 34-16 to take full control of the game. Sacramento was firing on all cylinders while Dallas struggled to generate any offense. Zach LaVine finished the quarter with 22 points, making him the Kings’ leading scorer. By the end of the third, Sacramento held a commanding 94-66 lead.

In the final frame, the Kings turned to their bench, marking the only quarter in which Dallas outscored Sacramento. The Mavericks won the fourth quarter 32-28, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the deficit as they fell 122-98. It was a rough night for Dallas, which not only lost Irving but also saw Jaden Hardy exit with an injury. Overall, Sacramento delivered an impressive performance on both ends of the floor. The starting unit—each player finishing in double figures—led the way, spearheaded by Zach LaVine’s 22 points. On the other side, the Mavericks’ bench provided the bulk of their scoring, as none of their starters reached double digits. Kai Jones led Dallas in defeat with 21 points.

Postgame, Doug Christie spoke about Keegan Murray’s aggressiveness after his 18-point performance.

“Keegan’s aggressiveness, paired with the fact that he’s usually guarding the best player defensively, means he’s learning how to play hard on one end while still staying aggressive and finding his shots on the other end. That’s a skill and a talent in and of itself.”

After the game, I asked Keegan about his approach to staying aggressive.

“I think the more impact I have on the game, the better it is for our team,” he said. “That’s not just offensively but defensively too… just trying to stay aggressive.”

I also asked Zach LaVine if he felt the team’s defensive communication was improving, as it appeared from the outside.

“As much as everyone wants it to click from the first game… it just doesn’t work that way,” LaVine said. “Playing live games always helps. You need to go through some ups and downs before you take off and start to understand everybody.”

The Kings have now won four straight games. However, we’ve seen similar stretches before against weaker opponents. The real test will come when they face tougher competition. It would be premature to say the Kings have fully turned a corner with this new group, but time will tell.

With this win, Sacramento improves to 32-28, sitting in the eighth seed in the Western Conference—just half a game behind the Golden State Warriors for the sixth spot.

Up Next: The Kings fly to Denver on Tuesday to take on the Nuggets at Ball Arena on Wednesday at 6 PM PST.

Sharks Rally to Defeat Maple Leafs 3-2 in Shootout; Win ends San Jose’s 8 game loss streak

San Jose Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli (73) is thrilled after scoring his third period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Mon Mar 3, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks won 3-2 in a shootout against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Thompson and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Sharks. Toffoli and Fabian Zetterlund scored to win the shootout. Alexandar Georgiev made 25 saves and three in the shootout for the win. John Tavares and Matthew Knies scored for the Maple Leafs, and William Nylander scored in the shootout. Anthony Stolarz made 20 saves and two in the shootout loss.

The win ended an eight-game losing streak and, for the Leafs, it ended a five-game win streak. The Sharks not only won, but came back from a two goal deficit to start the third period. Also to the Sharks’ credit, the two goals they gave up came on the power play. The game was hard won for the Sharks.

John Tavares scored the first goal after a scoreless first period. At 8:28 of the second, Tavares tipped a shot from Mitch Marner on a power play. Assists went to Marner and Nylander.

Matthew Knies made it 2-0 at 19:55 of the second, again on the power play. Knies redirected Auston Matthews’ shot from the goal line. An assist also went to Tavares.

Jack Thompson started the Sharks comeback at 2:23 of the third. Alexander Wennberg sent the puck in from the blue line. The shot went off of the boards behi8nd the net and back up to Thompson for a shot form above the faceoff dot. Assists went to Wennberg and William Eklund.

Tyler Toffoli tied the game at 10:10. Wennberg carried the puck into the zone, around behind the net and then centered it for a waiting Toffoli. An assist also went to Shakir Mukhamadullin.

In the shootout, Georgiev stopped Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and John Tavares. William Nylander scored.

Stolarz stopped Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Tyler Toffoli and Fabian Zetterlund scored.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday at 4:00 PM PT in Buffalo against the Sabres.

Gardino Ristorante Italiano Los Gatos remote podcast Mon March 3, 2025

Gardinos podcast panel from left and going up Pete Jillo (Gardinos owner), Lee Leonard (producer), Charanbir’s older brother (IND USA TV), Charanbir Mahal (IND USA TV), Daisy Amaya (Advertising Dept), Giancarlo Roca (Sales and Promoter), right side of table going left to right Michael Roberson (Stanford Cardinal beat writer), Vince Cestone (NBC Radio), Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Barracuda beat reporter and host) photo by (Phillip Gardino customer)

Sportstalk remotes from Gardino’s Ristorante Italiano in downtown Los Gatos our thanks to owner Pete Jillo. Our podcast host for the Gardino’s remote Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Barracuda beat writer), Charanbir Mahal (IND TV USA), Michael Roberson (Stanford Cardinal beat writer), Vince Cestone (NBC Radio), and producer Lee Leonard.

Sheila Sanchez of patch.com wrote: The mom-and-pop Italian restaurant, located at 51 No. Santa Cruz Ave., is owned by Peter Jillo. It now has nearly 1,100 square-feet of extra space with 45 tables, a raised ceiling and a new food service counter where patrons can eat and drink cocktails.

One Yelp reviewer wrote “This place Rocks! The restaurant had a complete makeover and expansion just recently. They installed a beautifuyl new Bar, with a Granite counter, right behind which they put in an ice counter about 12 inches wide where you can put your drinks to keep them cool. It’s a nice touch.”

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic Mon Mar 3, 2025: Barracuda host Gulls Wed night; Cuda on two win streak

San Jose Barracuda Danil Gushchin forward (75) scored two goals in the third period to force overtime against the Henderson Silver Knights at Tech CU in San Jose on Sun Mar 2, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko if you like lots of scoring Sunday’s Henderson Silver Knights and San Jose Barracuda game was your kind of game ending with a 6-5 Barracuda win in overtime at Tech CU in San Jose.

#2 Scoring in the first period the Barracuda scored the first two goals with Lucas Carlsson and Andrew Poturalski the Knights Alexander Holtz scored making it 2-1 Cuda after the first period.

#3 The Barracuda Danil Gushchin scored San Jose’s only goal in the second period. The Knights answered back with two goals from Holtz with his second and third goals of the game for a 3-3 tie after two periods.

#4 The third period you can’t keep a good man down Holtz scored his four goal of the game to start the period Henderson taking the lead 4-3. The Knights Kai Uchacz scored an insurance goal putting the Knights up 5-3. The Barracuda would rally with three unanswered goals to win it 6-3. Gushchin Scored two goals in the third period to force overtime at 5-5. In overtime the Barracuda Ethan Cardwell scored the game winner.

#5 Next up for San Jose the San Diego Gulls at Tech CU on Wednesday night a 7:00pm PT face off. The Gulls are ninth in the Pacific Division winning seven of their last ten games. The Barracuda have won four of their last ten games and are fifth in the Pacific Division. How do you see this match up on Wednesday?

Marko Ukalovic does the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason Mon Mar 3, 2025: Kings looking for fourth straight win tonight in Dallas

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk left drives around the Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (right) in first half action at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sat Mar 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 On Saturday night the Sacramento Kings DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points and considering Domantas Sabonis didn’t play against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston the the Kings won it 113-103.

#2 The Kings Zach LaVine scored 20 points and the the Kings had a 13-3 run that gave them a 97-85 lead with just ten minutes left in the game. LaVine and Keon Ellis each hit a three pointer and DeRozan got five points in those last few minutes.

#3 For the Rockets Alperen Sengun led with 30 points and ten rebounds. Jalen Green scored 24 points in the Houston effort but it wasn’t enough as the Rockets snapped their two game win streak.

#4 Sabonis came into Saturday’s game with a 19.9 points scoring average and 14.4 rebounds but suffered a hamstring injury and didn’t come back into the game. Sabonis’ injury came when he was running down the floor and pulled up holding his left hamstring.

#5 The Kings are in ninth place in the NBA Western Conference and have won three straight games. They next play in Dallas against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are in tenth the Western Conference and have won six of their last ten games. How do you see this match up tonight?

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: It is Time for Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame

Former Cincinnati Red and Philadelphia Phillie Pete Rose doffs his cap at Phillies Alum day at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia Aug 7, 2022 two years before his passing in 2024 (AP News file photo)

It is Time for Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It was in 2004 when Pete Rose admitted to betting on baseball as a player. It has been 21 years since his admission and since then sports betting has taken place in any sport, including, football, basketball and baseball, from collegiate sports to professional sports sports books are regulated all over the country by state governments.

Legal sports gambling is more widespread than ever. Missouri voters in November became the latest to approve it, making it legal in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Last year, Americans bet more than $121 billion on sports, according to the American Gaming Association. The $121 Billion posted for sports bets in the United States by Americans is more than the GDP(Gross Domestic Product) in other words, the economies of these countries: Ecuador, Sudan, Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Jordan, Angola, Croatia, El Salvador, Cambodia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panamá, Ghana and dozens more all around the world.

The last time baseball topped the list as America’s favorite sport for fans to watch was in 1960, since 1972 football took the top list and has remained on top, all you have to do is look at the #1 TV event in the US, NFL The Superbowl with a record $1.4 Billion placed in bets this year. Following Football, Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey and Soccer the most popular leagues in the country and where the majority of the bets are going.

Let’s stop the hypocrisy, everybody knows that Pete Rose is worthy of the Hall of Fame, the last person to walk on water is documented in the most popular book ever, the Bible, the best selling book of all time with over 5 billion books sold and distributed. As far back as 4,000 to 3,000 BC ancient Egyptians bet on dice and board games, including chariot racing. Betting on sports took place during the ancient Olympic Games, around 800 to 700 BC. Yes, before the Designated Hitter took effect in baseball.

It is good news that the Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering removing Pete Rose from the ineligible list. That is a good first step to have Pete Rose where he belong and for the good of baseball, in Cooperstown. I think this is just common sense.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

Cardwell lifts Barracuda with OT winner for an improbable 6-5 comeback win over Silver Knights

San Jose Barracuda forward Ethan Cardwell celebrates his game winning goal in overtime with defenseman Braden Hache (#86) and the rest of his teammates after his team’s 6-5 win over the Henderson Silver Knights at Tech CU Arena on Sunday MAR 2, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Danil Gushchin’s first career hat trick which included two goals to even the game late in the third period propelled an unfathomable comeback as the San Jose Barracuda overcame a two-goal deficit to win 6-5 in overtime over the Henderson Silver Knights on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

Andrew Poturalski set up Ethan Cardwell’s game winning goal 41 seconds into the overtime period to give San Jose a thrilling comeback win after blowing two different two-goal leads earlier in the game. Cardwell skated in with speed from the right wing before depositing a wrist shot to the short side for his ninth goal of the season.

“I got some speed through the neutral zone, and I figured why not use one more burst before I changed. And I was lucky enough to see (the) middle (of the) ice and took my chance when I got it. There was little opening in the top right corner, and I was lucky enough to find it,” Cardwell said.

San Jose swept the weekend series and finished 6-1-0-1 against their Pacific Division rival in the season series. Henderson has dropped two in a row after being 8-2 in its past 10 games as they anchor the division.

San Jose (28-20-2-3-61 points) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Cardwell skated from behind the net and sent the puck up to the left slot where Lucas Carlsson blasted a one-timer past Silver Knights goalie Akira Schmid through the five-hole for his ninth goal of the season at the 5:09 mark.

“When we play the right way, I think we’re a pretty good team. (In the) first period tonight, we took care of the puck, put it in the right places and were able to get it back. Spent the majority of the period in the offensive zone,” Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said.

The Barracuda doubled its lead late in the opening frame. After a clean faceoff win by Thomas Bordeleau, Ethan Frisch’s shot from the point was initially saved by Schmid but Poturalski cleaned up the rebound into an open net for his team leading 23rd goal of the season at the 15:43 mark.

Poturalski has 16 multi-point games this season and leads the AHL in points with 57 points in just 49 games.

Henderson (22-30-3-0-50 points) answered back with 19.4 seconds left in the period with a power play goal. Former San Jose Shark defenseman Calen Addison’s shot was cleaned up by Alexander Holtz as he beat Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov with a wrist shot for his first goal of the contest and second goal of the season.

San Jose regained its two-goal lead with a power play goal near the halfway point of the second period. Pavol Regenda sent a pass through the crease to Danil Gushchin. The Russian forward skated into the middle before firing a shot on net. The rebound bounced up in the air and was accidentally knocked into the back of the net by Henderson defenseman Lucas Johansen. It was Gushchin’s 17th goal of the season at the 9:34 mark.

The Silver Knights cut the lead to a one-goal game with its second power play goal of the game late in the middle frame. Addison’s attempted shot on net hit off the skate of Cuda captain Jimmy Schuldt. The rebound went to the stick of Holtz who buried a one-timer into an open net for his second goal of the game and third goal of the season at the 15:54 mark.

Holtz, who played in just his fifth game with the Silver Knights, completed his hat trick, the first of his career, just under two minutes later as Henderson scored the equalizer. Jonas Rondbjerg sent a puck into the Cuda zone. Holtz collected the puck after it pinballed off Schuldt and beat Romanov top-shelf to the short side for his fourth goal of the season at the 17:49 mark.

Holtz wasn’t done as he gave the Silver Knights their first lead with his fourth goal and the team’s third power play goal of the game in the third period. Addison found Holtz in the left slot and he buried a wrist shot between the five-hole of Romanov for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:10 mark. Holtz became first player to score four goals in a game against San Jose in its franchise history.

Henderson went up by two goals thanks to a giveaway by the Barracuda at their offensive blue line. Kai Uchacz skated in all alone and beat Romanov with a wrist shot for his 12th goal of the season at the 15:11 mark.

Gushchin started the comeback when he scored his second goal of the game when McCarthy pulled Romanov for an extra attacker with over three minutes remaining in the period. Gushchin picked up the puck along the left boards and skated in before unleashing a wrist shot past a screened Schmid for his 18th goal of the season at the 16:41 mark.

San Jose scored the equalizer when Gushchin completed the hat trick with just 31.2 seconds left in the period to force overtime when once again Romanov was pulled for an extra attacker. Luca Cagnoni found Gushchin along the right slot and Gushchin rifled in a one-time through a sea of traffic in front of Schmid for his 19th goal of the season.

“I think from a character perspective, sticking with it and getting two (goals) with the goalie out and the winner in overtime feels good,” McCarthy said.

Romanov (11-6-3) stopped 20 of the 25 shots he faced in earning his 11th win of the season. It was Romanov’s first start since February 1st against the same Silver Knights club. Schmid (7-18-1) made 40 saves on 46 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Henderson went 3-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Holtz (4G,0A) 2) Gushchin (3G,0A) 3) Cardwell (1G,2A).

UP NEXT: San Jose closes out their four-game homestand against the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 3/5 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.