Author: Sports Radio Service

Barracuda take down Condors 4-2 for fourth win in a row

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda scored four answered goals and never looked back in a dominating 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena on Saturday evening. It was the Cuda’s fourth win in a row and it kept them atop of the Pacific Division standings with 31 points.

San Jose (14-3-1-2) drew first blood just before halfway through the first period. Dylan Gambrell skated around behind the net with a wrap around attempt where the puck ended up on captain John McCarthy’s stick and he tapped it in past Condors goalie Shane Starrett (5-1-0) for his sixth goal of the season at the 8:33 mark. Jacob Middleton received the secondary assist,

The Cuda spent most of the period short-handed, but were able to kill off all four of Bakersfield’s (11-9-0-0) power plays, including a double-minor called on Manny Wiederer for high-sticking. San Jose goalie Antonie Bibeau (6-2-2) made some key saves on all four opportunities. San Jose was outshot 13-8 in the first 20 minutes.

Jeffery Truchon-Viel doubled the lead for San Jose early in the second period. He stole the puck on a failed clearing attempt. He sent the puck back to the right point where Jeremy Roy shot the puck in on net where Truchon-Viel pounced on a rebound and put it into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:02 mark.

Alexander True continued his hot streak half way through the middle frame to give San Jose a commanding 3-0 lead. Linemate Francis Perron threaded a pass from below the goal line past two Condor defenders’ sticks over to True, who buried it past Starrett for his seven goal the season at the 10:05 mark. True has scored in three consecutive games, including six goals over his last seven games. Jon Martin received the secondary assist.

Wiederer scored his sixth goal of the season when he tipped in a shot from Nick DeSimone, who fired a shot from the right point at the 6:15 mark of the third period. Rourke Chartier received the secondary assist.

Logan Day spoiled the shutout bid for Bibeau when he scored his fourth goal of the season at the 15:31 mark. His second goal in three games came from the right point as Bibeau was screened with traffic in front of the crease. Brad Malone and Patrick Russell picked up assists.

Joe Gambardella completed the scoring when he scored his ninth goal of the season on a shot that went top self past Bibeau at 18:47 mark to make the game respectable. Russell and Ethan Bear received assists.

Bibeau was excellent between the pipes, making 33 saves on 35 shots. Starrett, the second-year netminder, suffered his first loss of the season, making 14 saves on 18 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. Bakersfield was 0/7.

Notorious Cuda killer Josh Currie had to leave the game late in the third period when a puck deflected off of DeSimone’s stick and hit him in the face.

Perron leads the Cuda in the following offensive categories: First on the Barracuda in points (21), goals (9), assists (12) power-play goals (5) and shooting percentage (31.0%).

Vincent Praplan returned to the ice after missing the past five games with an injury.

The Barracuda boast the Western Conference’s best road winning percentage (7-2-1-1 = .700) and have collected points in their last four road contests. In addition, San Jose’s +11 goal differential on road ice is the best in the Pacific Division.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return home on Sunday, December 9 to conclude the home and home series with the Condors at 5:00 pm PST at SAP Center.

Sharks squeak past Coyotes, win 5-3 in the desert

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By: Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, December 8, 2018

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Asked about how 28-year-old rookie Lukas Radil came through with the go-ahead goal for San Jose in the third period Saturday against Arizona, Evander Kane responded, “He’s 28?”

Radil’s first career NHL goal provided the go-ahead goal for San Jose Saturday, as the Sharks held off a charge from Arizona and edged the Coyotes 4-3 at the Gila River Arena.

“For him to get his first goal and the way he got his first goal, late in the third period in a tie game, that’s great,” Kane said following the Sharks’ 4-3 win over the Coyotes. “Every time he’s in the lineup, he always brings something positive. He’s a big, strong kid who wins a lot of battles.”

Radil, operating from behind the net, flipped a backhand shot over the left shoulder of Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill and into the top shelf at 14:13  of the third period.

“It was very exciting,” Radil said. “I had a dream to play in the NHL, and the dream came true. I scored a goal; the team wins, so it couldn’t be a better day.

“Our line had a couple of chances, but we won, and that’s what’s more important.”

Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said, “We needed something like that, someone coming off the bench to give us something. We’ve been waiting a while for something like that, so it was nice timing. The guy has worked hard to get here to this level and for him to get his first NHL goal like that, it’s pretty rewarding.”

Seconds later, an apparent Arizona goal was waived off. After a video review, the original call was upheld.

Tomas Hertl popped in an empty-net goal at 19:09 for the Sharks, who outshot Arizona 33-20. Aaron Dell stopped 17 of 20 shots for San Jose, while Adin Hill made 32 saves in a losing effort for Arizona.

Trailing 3-2 after two periods, the Coyotes got the equalizer at 5:45 of the third period when Richard Panik’s shot from the left circle went through Dell’s 5-hole.

“We were a little depleted but the guys gave it their all,” Coyotes Coach Rick Tocchet said. “We had a couple of chances there at 3-3, and they get that goal (by Radil). It was a weird goal. Then, we thought we got it back, but it was inconclusive and then we tried to make a push.”

San Jose opened the scoring at 14:36 of the first period when Joe Pavelski redirected a low slapper from the left point by Brenden Dillon. Pavelski’s 19th goal of the season beat Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill to the stick side.

Less than a minute later, the Sharks made it 2-0 on Logan Couture’s 10th goal. The Coyotes were unable to clear the puck from their own zone, and Couture’s breakaway shot from the slot found Hill’s 5-hole at 15:26.

The Sharks outshot Arizona 14-7 in the first period.

At 5:10 of the second period, San Jose extended its lead to 3-0. Evander Kane broke up a clearing pass, and won the race to the loose puck, beating Hill on the short side just above his right skate for an unassisted tally.

After the Sharks’ Kevin Labanc got the gate for slashing at 6:30 of the second period, Arizona scored 15 seconds into the power play on Nick Schmaltz’s fifth goal of the season. Schmaltz, parked on the right edge of the goal crease, took a centering pass out of the left corner by Clayton Keller and beat Dell on the glove side.

Arizona struck again at 10:43 of the second period when Jakob Chychrun’s shot from the point was redirected by Brad Richardson to the right of Dell. Richardson’s eighth goal of the season pulled the Coyotes to within 3-2.

“We found a way to win,” DeBoer said. “Right now, it seems like the chances we give up wind up in the net. I’m not saying they’re bad goals — it just seems like with the opportunities we give up, the puck is going in our net with teams putting a lot of pressure on us.

“There’s still a lot more good than bad, but there’s still a lot of work left to do.”

SHARK BITES: San Jose C Joe Thornton passed Steve Yzerman for 18th place on the NHL’s all-time games played list (1,515). Thornton is also two assists from tying Marcel Dionne (1,040) for 10th place on the league’s all-time assist list. … Arizona’s Conor Garland made his NHL debut, skating on the Coyotes’ second line with Derek Stepan and Christian Fletcher. … The announced attendance at Gila River Arena was 13,780.

UP NEXT: The Sharks return to SAP Center to host the Devils on Monday, December 10 at 7:30 pm PST.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: First place Steelers come to the Coliseum against a Raider team looking for the next win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: post-gazette.com

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon:

#1 The Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers were originally scheduled to be the Sunday Night Game, but were moved to a 1:00 PM time slot. Did the Raiders poor season have anything to do with them being moved from Sunday Night Football?

#2 The Steelers make their first trip to Oakland since 2013 when the Raiders defeated the Steelers 21-18. The Raiders have a 12-10 edge over the Steelers in their all-time meetings record.

#3 The Raiders have a three-game home winning streak over the Steelers when playing in Oakland. Could the Raiders get a little of that sensation this Sunday when the Steelers come to town?

#4 The Raiders’ offense was humming, with big performances by quarterback Derek Carr, tight end Jared Cook, wide receiver Jordy Nelson, and running back Jalen Richard on offense from last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

#5 The Steelers first in the AFC North (7-4-1) and the Raiders (2-10) with only two wins this season. Do the Raiders have a chance even with home field?

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Like Shanahan, Foster’s girlfriend shocked that Washington picked him up

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from abcnews.com: Girlfriend of former 49ers Reuben Foster, Elissa Ennis giving an interview on ABC News about Foster and his domestic violence charges

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 Joe how shocked were you that former 49er Reuben Foster was picked up by Washington just a few hours after the 49ers released him?

#2 Foster’s girlfriend Elissa Ennis said that she lied on the witness stand regarding the last assault charge by Foster and that he indeed commit domestic violence charges against her.

#3 Like 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan before her, Ennis says that she couldn’t believe Foster got picked up by Washington just a short few hours or in less than a day after he was released by San Francisco. Joe talks about what it was like for the people who knew Foster well that he got picked up so quickly.

#4 Quoting Foster’s girlfriend Ennis on lying on the witness stand, “Love will have you doing things that’s not in your best interests,” she said. ” . . . I did what I had to do for the person I love. I thought that he would change.” How disappointing was it for not only Ennis, but for the 49ers that Foster didn’t change?

#5 It’s a 1:00 pm kick off at Levi’s Stadium as the 49ers (2-10) host the Denver Broncos (6-6). Joe sets this game up.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors defeat the Bucks 105-95

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nba.com/warriors

By: London Marq

A few weeks and sideline argument ago, the Golden State Warriors were dysfunctional. People were questioning the organization’s loyalty to Draymond Green would he be traded before the deadline? Wondering if the on-going drama between Green and Durant would derail their season, especially after the incident was followed by a 3-game losing streak. But winning covers up all manner of sins.

The Warriors hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at Oracle Arena on Thursday night, entering play having won the previous two games. Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the Greek Freak, and the Bucks have stayed on pace with their development and on track as one of the best teams in the league with hopes that hope to make a deep playoff run.

Perhaps this game will turn out to be a Finals preview. The Warriors certainly played like it, flying high right out of the gate. They opened the first quarter on a 12-4 run behind two Curry threes and excellent defense. Defense would be the theme throughout the game for Golden State, who had a mediocre game by there standards. Despite having 13 turnovers in the game and Durant being scoreless at halftime the Warriors were able to stay in control, holding the lead for the majority of the game.

Behind 20 point outings for both Curry and Thompson, the Warriors played their best defense of the season so far, holding the Bucks to their lowest point total of the season. Antetokounmpo ended up with 22 points, 15 in rebounds in the loss, while no other Buck was able to tally more than 15. It was great defensive outing for Golden State despite their shortcoming.

We all are ready for the end of the dynasty, but it’s not here just yet,

The Warriors defeated the Bucks 105-95.

The Warriors host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at 7:30 pm PT.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Luis Valbuena and José Castillo Dead in Car “Accident” in Venezuela

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nypost.com

By: Amaury Pi-González

This Thursday, a car crash claimed the lives of two former MLB players in Venezuela. But officials are reporting that it could have been a gang of thieves that engineered the accident in order to rob Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo, who were teammates in the Venezuelan Winter League. They were traveling with teammate Carlos Rivero when the vehicle suddenly slammed into a large rock in the middle of the road. Authorities believe the rock have been purposely placed in hopes it would lead to an accident to allow the thieves to rob the vehicle occupants.

The vehicle was destroyed in the wreck. Both Valbuena and Castillo were not wearing seat-belts and died instantly as they were thrown out of the car. Rivero survived. The Toyota they were driven was looted right there at the place of the “accident.”

The Cardenales de Lara, the team that both Valbuena and Castillo had played for, called the accident a terrible tragedy.

“We are saddened by the tragic news that Luis Valbuena and former major leaguer Jose Castillo have died in a car accident,” MLB wrote in a tweet.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Angel Luis Valbuena and former MLB infielder José Castillo. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this time of grief,” Los Angeles Angels wrote in a tweet.

Valbuena was a very happy guy who was smiling most of the time and ready to play, every time I talked to him he would found a way to mention he was humble and grateful to be playing in the major leagues. The veteran was released in August 2018 by the Angels. Valbuena, 33, played 11 seasons in the majors after beginning his career in 2008 with the Seattle Mariners. He also played for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and the Angels.

Castillo, 37, played in the majors from 2004 to 2008 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Astros.

They were two players who really loved the game, and like many Latino players, they go back to their countries to play winter ball.

Today, Venezuela today is suffering a national calamity with an economy that is basically non-existent, a government that has basically destroyed what once was, but one of the richest countries in Latin America with great oil reserves. Moreover, the population is suffering from malnutrition and violence. Over 1 million Venezuelan citizens fled to Colombia to live in exile.

Many reports report that by 2021, as many as 4 million Venezuelans would be living in neighbor Colombia if the situation continues to deteriorate in Venezuela. Venezuela, under Hugo Chávez and now Nicolas Maduro, have followed the socialistic ideas of Cuba.

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Joey Friedman: After being dominated by Kansas, the Cardinal are back at home against Washington State

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @GoStanford

On the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Joey Friedman:

#1 Joey, to no one’s surprise, the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks shut down any chance for the Stanford Cardinal to get past them last Saturday in a 90-84 win at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Ks.

#2 The Hawks’ Lagerald Vick was key to the victory. Vick drilled the game-tying 3-pointer with 7 seconds remaining in regulation, then scored eight of his 27 points in overtime.

#3 Stanford’s Daejon Davis sank a pair of free throws with 13.3 seconds remaining, giving the Cardinal a 75-72 lead. Vick made the tying 3-pointer on the ensuing possession. How frustrating was it to lose in a game where Stanford was in shouting distance all night?

#4 The Jayhawks hold an 11-3 all-time series lead over Stanford. Next season, the teams complete their four-game series in December at Maples Pavilion.

#5 Next up for the Stanford Cardinal, they host Washington State on Sat. Dec. 15th and our very own Joey Friedman has your game coverage on that contest.

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast can be heard each Friday with Joey Friedman at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

SJSU returns to the win column with a 67-65 win over B-CU

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Besides the home opener, not much has been going in the San Jose State Spartans’ favor in the men’s basketball world, but they had a game on Thursday night versus the Bethune Cookman Wildcats inside the Event Center and there was no way to avoid it.

Prior to the tipoff, Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau put together a starting lineup of Michael Steadman, Brae Ivey, Oumar Barry, Noah Baumann and Craig LeCesne.

The SJSU cheer team got things started, the crowd grew loud and both teams balled it out on the court. SJSU opened the scoring, thanks to LeCesne’s jumper in the paint just 18 seconds into the first period. Steadman followed up LeCesne’s opening score with a pair of free throws and a jumper in the paint. Barry also made his presence felt with a pair of free throws.

SJSU was doing just fine until B-CU made it a 1-point game and subsequently grabbed a 13-12 lead. Shawntrez Davis threw down the dunk to put the Wildcats on top. The Wildcats proceeded to build upon its lead, but the Spartans stayed in the game with Ivey’s jumper, Anigwe’s layup and Barry’s pair of free throws. The Spartans tied the game 20-20, thanks to Steadman’s jumper.

This matchup turned out to be a back-and-forth battle. Anigwe threw down a fastbreak dunk to put the Spartans back on top. Armani Collins hit a 3-pointer to make it a 1-point game in favor of B-CU. Anigwe tied the game 23-23 and Baumann made a fastbreak layup to help the Spartans to a 25-23 advantage. The Spartans had a 27-23 lead before the Wildcats took over to make it a 1-point game. LeCesne helped the Spartans to a 1-point lead, but it was short-lived as Leon Redd hit a 3 and a jumper to put the Wildcats back on top.

The ardent action winded down and SJSU trailed B-CU 35-32 at halftime.

SJSU picked up the pace to start the second period. Barry threw down a dunk and made a layup in the paint, Steadman made a layup and Baumann hit a fastbreak 3 to put the Spartans on top within the first five minutes of the second. But B-CU refused to back down as Malik Maitland hit a 3 to make it a 1-point game and Pope tied the game 41-41 with a free throw.

It was deja vu all over again as both teams engaged in another back-and-forth battle. Brian Rodriguez-Flores hit a 3 to give the Spartans a 44-41 lead, but Mark Gordon hit not only one, but two 3s to tie the game 44-44 and put the Wildcats up 47-44.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Baumann hit back-to-back 3s to tie the game 58-58 and put the Spartans up 61-58 late in the game. There was a slight scare as the Wildcats hastily responded, but Ivey hit a 3 of his own to put the Spartans back on top 64-63.

The game went down-to-the-wire, but SJSU hung in there. Steadman made a layup to give the Spartans a 1-point lead with 39.4 seconds left. The Spartans played defense, which worked this time as B-CU missed as time expired.

SJSU defeated B-CU 67-65. With the win, SJSU notched its second win on the season and snapped its 6-game losing skid.

SJSU concludes its homestand next Saturday, Dec. 15 vs. Northern Arizona. Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm PST.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Carr put out a great effort against Chiefs, will try to get team a win Sunday vs. Steelers

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Forbes

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Talk about Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and his efforts against the Kansas City Chiefs. He showed a lot of fight against one of the best teams in the NFL.

#2 Carr passed former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon on the all-time passing list.

#3 Carr has been rumored not to be coming back in 2019. Carr has three years left on his contract. Does Tony see that happening?

#4 Carr and the Raiders fought hard in last Sunday’s game to come back. How much did it take out of them?

#5 The Raiders host the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Tony does the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks find their offense again with a four-goal win over Carolina

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit newsobserver.com: San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl, from the Czech Republic, right, scores a goal past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Curtis McElhinney (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at SAP Center in San Jose Wednesday night

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks won their second straight game against the Carolina Hurricanes at SAP Center on Wednesday night with a four-goal win.

#2 This was a demonstration of their healthy offense coming back as opposed to some of the four tough loses they had on their last road trip.

#3 The Sharks Joe Thornton and Timo Meier each had three points against the Canes and Radim Simek picked up his first career NHL goal.

#4 The Sharks goaltender Martin Jones stopped 39 out of 40 shots and faced a lot of offense from the Canes, but stood on his head for the win.

#5 Up next, the Sharks are back on the road to face the Dallas Stars on Friday and Arizona on Saturday.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com