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The San Jose Barracuda reversed their fortunes in thundering fashion. They scored three-unanswered goals in the first period and never took their foot off the gas in an explosive 9-0 shutout victory over the Colorado Eagles on Sunday afternoon at SAP Center.

The Barracuda set a franchise record with their nine-goal outburst. The loss snapped the Eagles nine-game winning streak and with the win, the Cuda are in a three-way tie with the Eagles and San Diego Gulls for second place in the Pacific Division at 70 points with 11 games left in the regular season.

San Jose (32-19-2-4) struck first and often in the first period. John McCarthy led a 2-on-1, fed a pass over to Jeffery Viel and rifled a shot past Eagles goalie Pavel Francouz (25-14-2) for his eighth goal of the season at the 2:10 mark.

The Cuda doubled their lead over five minutes later when Lukas Radil sent a pass over to Nick DeSimone whose wrist shot was stopped by Francouz. DeSimone collected his own rebound and cashed in for his 11th goal of the season at the 7:42 mark.

The Cuda defense continued the scoring when Cavan Fitzgerald found his way on a breakaway just before the end of the opening frame. As he skated in, he fumbled the puck, regained possession and then made a nice deke in the crease and put the pack over the glove of Francouz for his fifth goal of the season at the 18:20 mark.

San Jose completely dominated Colorado (33-23-3-1) in the first period as they out shot the Eagles 17-7 and had the ice tilted in their favor.

Things got chippy to start the second period. Matching roughing penalties were issued to Fitzgerald and AJ Greer just 10 seconds in. Then, Jon Martin and Mark Alt exchanged some pleasantries with one another three minutes later that also resulted in matching roughing penalties.

The Cuda extended their lead by four goals when they were pressuring in the Eagles’ zone. TJ Hensick’s shot was stopped but not controlled by Francouz. Radil was on the far side to collect the rebound and lifted it over his left pad of a sprawling Francouz for his third goal of the season and second in back to back to games at the 5:24 mark. Jacob Middleton was credited with the secondary assist.

San Jose put the game away less than nine minutes remaining in the middle frame. Thomas Gregoire ripped a shot from the point that Francis Perron, who was able to get his stick on the puck to redirect it past Francouz for his 17th goal of the season at the 11:42 mark. Fitzgerald was credited with the secondary assist.

That would be the end of the afternoon for Francouz as he replaced by Spencer Martin. Francouz gave up fives goals on 25 shots in suffering the loss for the first time in his last eight games.

TJ Hensick joined the scoring party with 1:49 left in the middle frame when he received a pass from Radil and he sneaked a wrist shot past the Martin for his fourth goal of the season at the 18:11 mark. Maxim Letunov received the secondary assist.

San Jose added the extra point half way through the third period. Letunov sent a shot on a goal where defenseman Thomas Gregoire crashed the net and jammed home the rebound for his first pro goal at the 10:16 mark. Hensick had the secondary assist.

Gregoire wasn’t satisfied with just one goal as he gave an encore just 59 seconds later. He sent a wicked wrister from the right point that found its way past Martin for his second goal of the game at the 11:15 mark. Jon Martin and Perron received assists on the play.

Jayden Halbgewachs completed the scoring as the eighth different goal scorer for San Jose. He weaved through the high slot and snapped home a wrist shot past Martin his 11th goal of the season at the 12:24 mark. The goal ended an 18 game scoreless drought. Middleton and captain John McCarthy were credited with assists.

Cuda goalie Josef Korenar (20-8-1) stopped all 31 shots for his 20th win and fourth shutout of the season. The win snapped Korenar’s three-game losing streak. Martin made 11 saves on 15 shots in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/4 on the power play. Colorado was 0/6.

The Cuda are 6-1 when wearing a specialty/throwback jersey. They wore green jerseys in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

San Jose is 3-1-1-1 against Colorado this season.

The announced attendance was 4,051.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda go back on the road to start a three game road trip in Tuscon as the take on the Roadrunners on Saturday 3/23 at 7:05 pm at Tuscon Convention Center Arena.

Big plays highlighted first San Jose State scrimmage

Published on March 17, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Big plays such as long touchdown passes, pick-sixes, and vice versa highlighted the San Jose State Spartans’ first scrimmage of the 2019 spring practice period.

SJSU was in full pads to conclude the second week of spring practice with a 70-plus plays scrimmage when adding in some special teams work.

“We had a great day. We had a bunch of fans and recruits here. We had our man, ‘DJ Brother Reese’ spinnin’ tunes for us. And, the guys ran around. Looked like the energy was great, intense and we made some plays on both sides of the ball,” said SJSU head coach Brent Brennan.

“We did a nice job of creating some turnovers and getting to the quarterback, threw it well and caught it well, and had some nice runs. We had a lot of young players trying to figure it out. So, it’s pretty exciting,”

The offense had the upper hand early. Senior quarterback Josh Love showed the form similar to the 2018 Hawaii game when he threw for 451 yards and three touchdowns. As the first signal-caller under center, Love completed 9-of-12 for 150 yards and touchdown passes of 13 yards to Leki Nunn and 37 yards to Tre Walker.

Freshman quarterback Nick Nash accounted for the offense’s remaining two touchdowns. Nash recently found community college transfer Lamar Housley streaking down the right sideline for a 96-yard touchdown play. Nash, the son of one-time Spartan wide receiver Kenny Nash from the 1980’s, concluded the offense’s scoring with a 4-yard run. Nash was the leading rusher in the scrimmage with 49 yards on eight carries.

Walker, the team leader in receiving yards with 714 in 2018, showed off his big-play explosiveness as the receiving leader with four receptions for 105 yards and the 37-yard touchdown play.

The Spartan defense scored on interception returns of 43 yards by junior safety Bobby Brown, II, and 24 yards by senior linebacker Ethan Aguayo. The defense also was credited with five quarterback sacks–two of them by sophomore defensive tackle Jamaar Hardy.

“I think we’re moving that way. And, I think recruiting is a big part of that,” Brennan said when asked about upgrading the overall speed of the team. “We have a handful of guys that will join us this summer that will add to our speed and length that we need.

“I thought the offensive line and Josh (Love) did a nice job picking up some of the pressure. It was fun. I thought the players had a great time. It’s just another step for us and we need to keep taking steps in the right direction with this team.”

SJSU hosts its next scrimmage on Saturday, March 23 at 11 am PT.

Eagles edge out Barracuda in 3-2 win

Published on March 16, 2019March 16, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

by Marko Ukalovic

The Colorado Eagles are playing like a team that can’t lose. They scored three unanswered goals in the second period and then held on to beat the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

Colorado (33-22-3-1) has won nine games in a row and have jumped both San Jose and San Diego for second place in the Pacific Division with 70 points. The Cuda have lost five of their past six games.

San Jose (31-19-2-4) drew first blood late in the first period on a 3-on-2 odd man rush. Maxim Letunov sent a pass over to Lukas Radil, who played in his first game since being sent down by the San Jose Sharks, and Radil lasered a wrist shot past Eagles goalie Pavel Francouz (25-13-2) on the far side for his second goal of the season at the 19:00 mark.

In the second period, Colorado took control of the game. Max McCormick sent over a cross-ice pass over to Logan O’Connor on a 2-on-1 opportunity and O’Connor buried a one-timer past Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (12-11-5) for his 15th goal of the season at the 3:42 mark.

The Eagles went ahead two goals toward the end of the middle frame when AJ Greer from below the goal line sent a pass over to Igor Shvyrev, who blasted a wrist show over the glove of Bibeau for his sixth goal of the season at the 16:12 mark.

Then, just over a minute later, another 2-on-1 odd man rush led to a mini breakaway for Sheldon Dries, who made a nice deke going forehand-to-backhand as he slid the puck past Bibeau for his third goal of the season at the 17:28 mark for a 3-1 lead.

The Cuda looked like they would have a consecutive game with a third period comeback. Jayden Halbgewachs sent a zone-wide pass over to John McCarthy and the Barracuda captain fired a wrist shot past Francouz for his 10th goal of the season at the 4:47 mark.

However San Jose was not able to get the equalizer late in the period when they pulled Bibeau for an extra attacker.

Francouz stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced to earn his 25th win of the season. Bibeau made 20 saves on 23 shots in suffering the tough luck loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/2 on the power play. Colorado was 0/3.

The announced attendance was 3,353.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda take on the Eagles on Sunday 3/17 at 3:00 pm at SAP Center.

No love in the East Coast: Earthquakes fall to Red Bulls 4-1

Published on March 16, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes thought 2019 would be a better year under first-year head coach Matias Almeyda, but it turned out to be a high hope, as the team dropped back-to-back home matches–a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Impact on March 2nd and a 3-0 shutout to the Minnesota United FC on March 9th–to start the season.

San Jose, however, decided to try their luck in Harrison, N.J. against the New York Red Bulls, who won their third Supporters’ Shield in 2018 after winning their final five games as well as qualifying for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. New York’s current head coach Chris Armas replaced Jesse Marsch, who left the coaching gig after three and a half seasons.

It was gameday in the East Coast and the Quakes fanbase caught the livestream on Twitter at 12:30 pm PT. Though, the diehard Quakes fans saved their seats in section 220 in the Red Bull Arena.

2,927 miles away from home. 🖤💙#VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/7FETV9BCbD

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) March 16, 2019

Moreover, the Wondo watch was in full effect as Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski entered the match with 144 goals. Wondo’s goal was to score his 145th goal to tie Landon Donovan’s 145 career regular season goals.

Unfortunately, Wondo never scored his 145th goal, but at least the Earthquakes avoided a shutout, thanks to Cristian Espinoza’s first goal as a Quakes forward. Espinoza was loaned to the Quakes on a season-long loan by Villareal CF on January 2nd. San Jose took an early 1-0 lead at the fifth minute.

But the mere 1-0 halftime lead was as far as the Quakes could go. The Red Bulls scored three unanswered goals in the second half. So it wasn’t much of a greeting when the Quakes’ Twitter announced to the Twitterverse that they were back for the second half.

It all started with a shot and Alex Muyl kicked in a shot past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega to tie the match 1-1 at the 51st minute. After that, Magnus Eriksson was just inches away from his second goal of the season and San Jose was unable to score a go-ahead goal at the 55th minute.

The Quakes made their first substitution of the match, swapping Nick Lima for Marcos Lopez at the 62nd minute. That, however, didn’t help San Jose’s cause because Muyl scored his second goal of the match for a 2-1 Red Bulls lead at the 71st minute.

Muyl’s go-ahead goal was the reason why the Quakes made their second substitution of the match, swapping Judson for Danny Hoesen. Moreover, San Jose made their third and final substitution of the match, swapping Vako for Jackson Yueill at the 78th minute. But neither helped as the Red Bulls scored not only one, but two late goals to call it a day. Bradley Wright-Phillips made it 3-1 Red Bulls at the 85th minute and Daniel Royer wrapped up the scoring with a down-to-the-wire goal to extend the Red Bulls’ lead to 4-1 at the 89th minute. The Quakes fell to the Red Bulls 4-1 in N.J.

The Quakes have a much-needed week off before they host LAFC on March 30th at 12:30 pm PT.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks try to avoid another narrow loss; battle Preds tonight

Published on March 16, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @sanjosesharksi1

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The Sharks took a six-game win streak into Thursday’s game, but couldn’t hold the Florida Panthers, who won 4-2 at SAP Center. Was their timing off.

#2 Was it a matter of the Panthers were on a mission or the Sharks just ran out of gas after playing back to back night on the road and a cluster of home games before the trip?

#3 One name that stands out throughout the last two weeks is Gustav Nyquist. He’s starting to have crucial value to this team.

#4 If you had to point to one development that has this team going like it is right now and passing the Calgary Flames in the Western Conference then is a game behind after the Flames get a win they moved back into first place, what would that be?

#5 The Sharks play game two on this three-game homestand against Nashville on Saturday night. Len sizes up tonight’s game.

#6 Sharks could clinch tonight for a playoff spot against the Nashville Predators

Len Shapiro does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Bumgarner battles his way in last start against Brewers

Published on March 15, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @GiantsExtra

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Taking a look at Giants starter Madison Bumgarner’s last outing on Tuesday’s game, he looked like he was in regular season form after throwing three perfect innings.

#2 It was later when he gave up hits to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, and Yasmani Grandal, which loaded the bases in the fourth inning that some might have questioned how long he could have stayed in this one.

#3 Then, there was plate umpire Brian Gorman. Bumgarner was having a hard time with as he felt Gorman was squeezing him. Bumgarner on a 2-1 pitch to Brewers’ hitter Travis Shaw thought he had strike two extended his arms in protest, then on the next hitter Mike Moustakas. Though, he had another strike call taken away by Gorman and extended his arms again and turned his back and walked back to the mound.

#4 MadBum helped his own cause with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth as the Giants got four runs. It was all they needed in their 4-2 win in Tuesday’s exhibition game.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Joe Lami: Pens blank Sabres 5-0; Isles best Habs 2-1; plus much more

Published on March 15, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @penguins

On the NHL podcast with Joe:

#1 The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Phil Kessel scored his 24th goal of the season. Brian DuMoulin, Patric Hornqvist, Nick Bjugstad (11), Jake Guentzel (36), all scored in the Pens’ win over the Buffalo Sabres 5-0.

#2 The New York Islanders got a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens as the Isles’ Adam Pelech (5) and Anders Lee (25) scored for New York.

#3 The Washington Capitals’ Brett Connolly scored two goals–#18 and #19–to help lead the Caps in a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

#4 The Ottawa Senators got a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Sens got goals from Christian Wolanin (4) and Chris Tierney (9). Jake Allen started in goal for the shutout for Senators.

#5 The red-hot Tampa Bay Lighting (54-13-4) defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-3. The Bolts’ Nikita Kucherov scored twice for #34 and #35 of the season.

Joe Lami does the NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com each Friday

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Melvin says this year’s spring much healthier than last season

Published on March 15, 2019March 15, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @MLBStats

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 The A’s manager Bob Melvin said the team looks more healthier than last spring training and that’s more important than anything else.

#2 A’s catcher Chris Herrmann said he was going for arthroscopic surgery rather than having ligament repair. It was reported that Herrmann chose arthroscopic surgery because the recovery time is much shorter.

#3 Another thing that Melvin is happy about is that A’s catchers Josh Phegley and Nick Hundley had great springs as both catchers hit two home runs, Phegley hit .346 and Hundley hit .292.

#4 Melvin said coming into spring he had confidence that that Phegley would have a great spring.

#5 A’s hitters Matt Chapman, Khris Davis, and Matt Olson didn’t have the best springs at the plate that Melvin expected, but they collectively hit in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Davis got an RBI double, Olson got an RBI single walked twice, and Chapman singled, doubled and scored twice.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Weekend scrimmage on tap for San Jose State football

Published on March 15, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

Linebackers Christian Webb and Lionell Wiggins share a lot in common. They are in their first spring with the San Jose State football team after joining the Spartans last fall as community college transfers. They contributed mainly as special teams players last year and are looking to earn spots in the linebacker rotation in their senior season.

“My first spring as a Spartan has been amazing. I really love the environment. It’s a great chance to learn plays and get used to the system than when you come (than) in during the fall,” said Webb, an Orange Coast College transfer.

“Spring has been going very well. Having a new linebackers coach in Coach (Scott) White and having him open his hands up to me and show me my assignment and what I am supposed to do on each and every play, it’s been going quite well,” said Wiggins, a transfer from San Jose City College. “He keeps coaching me and helps me get better as a player,” His older brother is former SJSU defensive lineman Larnell Ransom who was a Spartan from 2002 to 2004.

When Webb and Wiggins are on the field for Saturday’s first full-contact scrimmage, they will be keeping their eyes on a wide receivers group hoping for big things. Those WRs are Tre Walker, who came on strong at the end of the season to finish as the team leader in receiving yards with 714, Bailey Gaither, who averaged 20.4 yards per catch, JaQuan Blackwell and Leki Nunn. All four players have the most experience in the WR group.

According to WR coach Kevin Cummings, he will be looking for big plays from his group, not just in the passing game, but in the running game, too.

“This Saturday, I want guys to be physical. It will be the first time our guys can be ‘live’ in their blocking. I want our guys to be very physical in the run game, because we have to be a better run team this year. We know that. It starts with the receivers getting out on the perimeter and giving the running backs space to run,” said Cummings.

“For the linebacker corps, we want to make sure we want to grade out high first. We want to do our jobs and know our responsibilities. After that, we want to be explosive. We want to make plays and have ‘100-100’ effort,” Webb added.

When Webb referenced ‘100-100,’ it also could refer to he and Wiggins giving it a 100% effort in the classroom, too. Webb and Wiggins are two more of the program record-setting 29 SJSU football players to be named Academic All-Mountain West for last season.

“That was a huge accomplishment. It shows I’m not just a football player. I’m also a student as well. They say we’re ‘student-athletes.’ You have to be a student, first, and an athlete, second,” said Wiggins, a sociology major.

The first SJSU football scrimmage of the 2019 spring practice session is Saturday, March 16, 7:30 pm in CEFCU Stadium. There is no admission charge.