Author: Sports Radio Service

Late field goal lifts Demon Deacons over Cardinal 27-24; Stanford’s winless streak continues, 12th consecutive loss to FBS opponents

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Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Eric Ayomanor scampers from the grasp of a Wake Forest Demon Deacons defender at Stanford Stadium on Sat Oct 26, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Wake Forest kicker Matthew Dennis booted a 23-yard field goal with under two minutes to play Saturday, as the Demon Deacons slipped past Stanford 27-24 in Atlantic Coast Conference football at Stanford.

It was the fifth loss in a row for the Cardinal (2-8 overall, 1-4 ACC) and are winless in the last two seasons. Stanford has lost 12 consecutive home games to FBS opponents.

Wake Forest, meanwhile, won its third straight road contest and moved a step closer to bowl eligibility, The Demon Deacons rolled up 418 yards in total offense, while Stanford had 346.

Nick Anderson wrapped up the victory for Wake Forest (4-4 overall, 2-2 ACC) when he intercepted an Ashton Daniels pass with 22 seconds to play. A 36-yard punt return by Taylor Morin gave the Demon Deacons the ball at midfield, setting up the game-winning field goal.

Demon Deacons quarterback Hank Bachmeier tossed three touchdown passes in the first half, including a 30-yard strike to Micah Mays Jr. and a 39-yard TD toss to Tate Carney. Bachmeier threw for 245 passing yards on 20 of 30 completions, but struggled in the second half and was sacked four times.

At 12:44 of the second period, Justin Lamson scored from a yard out to put the Cardinal on the board. Wake Forest turned the ball over at 8:58 of the second period when Bachmeier was sacked and fumbled, Tevarua Tafiti picked up the ball and ran 44 yards for the game-tying touchdown.

Emmet Kenney kicked a 40-yard field goal at the end of the quarter, and the Cardinal trailed 24-17 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Cardinal tied the game with 8:41 to play on a 16-yard TD pass from Daniels to Sam Roush. Dennis later booted his go-ahead field goal for Wake Forest with 1:48 remaining,

Demond Claiborne rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries for Wale Forest, and Deuce Alexander led the Deacons with five catches, Daniels completed 24 of 31 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown, and was intercepted twice. Daniels also led Cardinal ball carriers with 54 rushing yards on 11 carries. Elic Ayomanor caught 11 passes for 96 yards to lead Stanford receivers.

The Cardinal travel to Raleigh, N.C., next week to face NC State.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks coughing up too many goals in first periods 12-4; SJ back to drawing board in Vegas on Saturday

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) moves the puck past the Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) in the first period at Crypto.com Arena on Thu Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

On San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks made history going winless with their eighth loss in a row they accomplished this last season as well and later losing ten straight last season. The Sharks tied the eight loss record for a team who had done it two straight years with the 1960-61 and 1961-62 Boston Bruins.

#2 San Jose head coach Ryan Warsofsky said that this is the NHL the best league in the world and that if guys don’t enjoy playing this game then their in the wrong business and that their on the wrong team and that Warsofsky said “we’ll weed those guys right out.”

#3 The Sharks in the first period have been outscored 12-4. The Sharks have a major concern on defense in the early stages of games. The Sharks were clobbered by the Winnipeg Jets in on lopsided game back on Friday Oct 18th in Winnipeg 8-3. That’s a lot of goals to give up for one game.

#4 Another good example of what Warsofsky is talking about is Thursday night’s game where the Los Angeles Kings dominated the first period opening up the game with three goals taking a 3-0 lead. The Sharks had to play defense and try and make up the difference but in the end they lost by a goal 3-2.

#5 The Sharks are back at the drawing board once more as they meet the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights are another first period scoring team they scored three unanswered goals against the Kings in Vegas on Tuesday night for a loaded 6-1 win. The Knights are 4-2-1 going up against a Shark team that is 0-6-2. What are San Jose chances as they face off against the Knights at T Mobile Center on Saturday night?

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

World Series podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Freeman’s walk off grand slam gives Dodgers a leg up in game 1 over Yankees

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Game 1 of the World Series was Freddiemania when the Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman (5) slugged a walk off grand slam home run to defeat the New York Yankees in the bottom of the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri Nov 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the World Series podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Game 1 is practically what everyone was expecting a razor close nail biter which wound up in extra innings in a World Series where teams don’t have the ghost runner to depend on. New York Yankees leading 3-2 the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the tenth inning . LA didn’t need a ghost runner all they needed was Freddie Freeman who slugged a grand slam home run to put the Dodgers over the top with a 6-3 win to lead the series 1-0.

#2 Despite the loss that first game was competitive where it had to be decided in ten innings by a walk off home run. Do you see that being an indication that this could be a tight World Series.

#3 There was big contributions from both sides on Friday night. The Yankees Giancarlo Stanton hit a 412 foot home run with Juan Soto scoring ahead of him to put the Yankees on top in the sixth inning 2-1.

#4 Mookie Betts hit a sac fly to center that scored Shohei Ohtani to tie up the game 2-2. The Yankees would move ahead when Anthony Vlope grounded into a fielders choice that allowed Jazz Chisholm to score putting the Yanks up a run 3-2. Freeman would later hit the walk off grand slam to beat the Yankees in the tenth inning.

#5 Tributes before the game for Fernando Velenzuela who passed away this week. The Dodgers fans stood for a moment of silence to remember Velenzuela who brought Fernandomania to the Southland and later became the Dodgers Spanish announcer.

Stephen Ruderman is podcasting the 2024 World Series at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda take down Silver Knights 5-3, sweep second straight series

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by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda scored three goals in the third period to take control of a close game as they defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 5-3 took on Friday morning at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Jose has won a season best four games in a row, including five of their first six games and swept its second straight series. Henderson has lost four games in a row and five of their first six to start their season.

San Jose (5-1) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell fed a pass back up to the point. Defenseman Jimmy Schuldt blasted a one-timer past Silver Knight’s goalie Akira Schmid for his first goal of the season at the 1:50 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead just under six minutes later. Luca Cagnoni continued his hot streak when his shot from the point was redirected by Andrew Poturalski for his second goal in back-to-back games at the 7:28 mark. Collin Graf picked up the secondary assist.

Henderson (1-5) struck back with an even strength goal 92 seconds later. A shot from the point by Calden Addison pinballed around a scrum in front of the crease. The rebound leaked out to the left wing where Brandon Hickey beat ‘Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov with a wrist shot the short side for his first goal of the season at the 9:00 mark.

San Jose scored an insurance goal early in the third period thanks to a turnover inside the Henderson zone. A failed clearing attempt along the right boards led to Ethan Frisch pinching in and sending the puck toward the net. Anthony Vincent redirected the puck past Schmid for his third goal of the season at the 4:07 mark.

Vincent, who only scored two goals last season, already has third goal in six games for the Barracuda.

Ethan Cardwell iced the game for the ‘Cuda late in the final frame. Vincent found Cardwell with a pass at center ice and the sophomore forward skated into the Henderson zone past two defenders before depositing the puck top-shelf to the short side for his first goal of the season at the 15:18 mark.

Gage Quinney scored a 5-on-3 power play late in the period. Quinney skated around from the right wing to up top before whipping a wrist shot past Askarov for his second goal in as many games at the 17:31 mark.

The Barracuda regained its three-goal lead with an empty net goal. Cardwell earned the assist of the game when he outbattled two Silver Knights defenders along the boards behind the net. Cardwell won the puck and flipped it over to Filip Bystedt who buried the puck into the empty for his second goal of the season at the 18:23 mark.

Kai Uchacz completed the scoring with a power play goal. Uchacz cashed in on a turnover behind the net and skated out on front and beat Askarov from point-blank range for his first goal of the season with 16 second remaining.

Askarov (4-0) remained perfect on the season as he stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season. Schmid (0-4) made 36 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Henderson was 1-for-2.

San Jose is 14-16-2-2 in the all-time series versus Henderson.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 10/30 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Isles Duclair out with lower body injury; Huges and Pesce return to New Jersey after injuries; plus more NHL news

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New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair (11) is assisted off the ice with Nick Suzuki (14) and trainer after suffering a lower body injury on Sat Oct 19, 2024 at Belmont NY (Getty)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Former San Jose Shark and New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair suffered a lower body injury was injured during Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Isles ended up defeating the Habs 4-3. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said of the Duclair injury, “We don’t like to lose players, first of all,” Roy said. “And secondly, I mean, all I care right now is to see him be back 100 percent and feeling good when he’s back. That’s where the focus is.”

#2 Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce made their New Jersey Devils appearances on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Hughes suffered from left shoulder injury. Hughes said it’s been a long time coming and he was excited to be able to play in his first game. Pesce who signed a six year contract with New Jersey had surgery on his fractured fibula.

#3 Tickets for the Four Nations Face Off that will see NHL games in Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the US Feb 12-20. Tickets for 4 Nations Face Off will go on sale next week. The tournament will feature NHL players who will be representing Canada, Finland, Sweden and the US. It will be seven games over nine days and four games at the Belle Centre in Montreal and three games which includes the championship to be played at TD Garden in Boston.

#4 The St Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas will be out at least six weeks due to a right ankle fracture he incurred Tuesday in a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Thomas had two assists against the Jets but missed the final 11:58 and had an x-ray done that revealed the fracture.

#5 Len, have to ask you how surprised are you that San Jose Sharks remain winless through eight games. The Sharks in their last three games have lost by at least two goals or more. They face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Vegas this Saturday how difficult will it be for the Sharks to get in win column against the Knights in Vegas?

Len Shapiro podcasts the NHL podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Utah Buried By Avalanche 5-1 Defensive woes continue for struggling Utah Hockey Club

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Utah Hockey Club forward Josh Doan (91) shoots the puck against the Colorado Avalanche defensemen Calvin de Haan (44) in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thu Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Utah Buried By Avalanche 5-1 Defensive woes continue for struggling Utah Hockey Club

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–On the heels of a perfect 3-0 start to the 2024-2025 NHL season, the Utah Hockey Club has come back down to earth losing four of the next five games including Thursday night’s 5-1 home loss to the visiting Colorado Avalanche, bringing their record to 4-3-1.

Netminder Karel Vejmelka got the start following his two shoutout periods of relief in Tuesday night’s loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Halfway through the first period the Avs took advantage of a tripping penalty against Ian Cole as forward Ross Colton scored his seventh goal on the season, assisted by Mikko Rantanen and Casey Mittelstadt.

Before Utah had a hockey team, many of its residents were followers of the Avalanche which was evidenced by the loud cheers for the power play goal. Colorado defenseman Cale Makar made it 2-0 near the end of the first period, assisted by Mikko Rantanen, his second of the game, and Nikolai Kovalenko.

Utah HC fared no better in the second period of play. At 14:25 of the middle frame, Avs center Casey Mittelstadt put the puck past Vejmelka to make it 3-0, assisted by Sam Malinski and Nikolai Kovalenko, his second of the evening.

Late in the period, Makar drew a hooking penalty from Dylan Guenther which resulted in another Colorado power play goal by Ivan Ivan (yes, that’s his real name), the first goal of his NHL career, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt, the third Avs player to record a second assist, to send Utah to the locker room facing a 4-0 deficit for the second time in two games.

With 4:32 remaining in the third period, Utah forward Lawson Crouse netted his 3rd goal of the season to put an end to his team’s scoring drought, assisted by Matias Maccelli and Ian Cole. Whatever hopes the hometown fans may have had for a late comeback, however, were dashed just 39 seconds later as Avs forward Joel Kiviranta put the game permanently out of reach with an unassisted shot which got past Vejmelka. Colorado goaltender Justus Annunen stopped 25 of 26 shots for the win.

Utah’s defense has struggled all season, surrendering four or more goals in five of their eight games thus far. Two key defensemen, John Marino and Sean Durzi, have undergone surgeries which will keep them out of the lineup until sometime next year.

Rookie defenseman Maveric Lamoureux, a 2022 first round draft pick by the then-Arizona Coyotes, made his NHL debut and was +1 for the night. In four games with the Tucson Roadrunners this season, Lamoureux notched two goals and one assist.

After the game, Lamoureux commented on making his NHL Debut: “Playing in my first NHL game is special. Even though we didn’t win, I’m always going to remember that game, that’s for sure.” On playing his first shift, Lamoureux said “I was kind of stressed.

I didn’t want to fall. But (it) was amazing going out there.” Making his NHL debut extra meaningful, his parents flew in for the game. “I had no idea. That was a big surprise. After morning skate, they were in Ryan Smith’s suite waiting for me. That was a surprise. They landed last night and I had no idea. I was really happy to see them.”

Speaking of the back-to back losses, Utah Hockey Club Head Coach André Tourigny commented, “They were just two different games. Like I said against Ottawa, it wasn’t our game at all. We worked hard, and we had a lot of good opportunities but we lacked execution. Tonight, the lack of execution kept going, but I did not like our effort, our emotion, our physicality, and our battle level. It’s disappointing.” Speaking of the team’s offensive, Tourigny added, “We tried to switch lines and do different things, but at the end of the day, we have to simplify…If you look at every game, our possession and offensive zones are great, but we don’t have enough volume. At some point, when we have an opportunity to take a shot, we cannot pass on it. We need to be more selfish in those situations and put more pucks on the net that create habits for the non-carrier to go the net…The way we’re playing right now, we’re doing the reverse. We build the habits of our non-carrier to look for the passing option, and then now you don’t have traffic.”

Lawson Crouse, when asked what the team needs to change in order to shift the momentum, responded “We just have to get back to it…I think today was an example of us getting frustrated and trying to make up for it. We just have to get back to simple hockey, playing the right way, covering for each other. The goals will come. Obviously, we’ve got to keep them out of our net and that’s the biggest thing right now. You can’t win hockey games when we keep going down three, four nothing. It’s a tough league to come back in. Like I said, when that happens you feel like you have to make up for a play and it goes sideways quick. Obviously, we’ve got to stop it here, stop it tonight, learn from it, move on and get back to winning hockey.”

Following practice on Friday, Utah HC will fly to Los Angeles for a road game against the Kings on Saturday before returning home again on Monday to face the San Jose Sharks.

Timberwolves Randall and Edwards spoil Kings opener 117-115 at Golden One

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Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a jump shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincezo (0) during first half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2024

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

Minnesota Timberwolves 117 (1-1)

Sacramento Kings 115 (0-1)

Attendance: 18,049

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The Kings held the lead for most of the game on opening night, but each time they seemed poised to pull away, the Timberwolves came right back, and they ended up winning a 117-115 thriller to give the Kings a brutal loss to open the 2024-2025 season.

The Kings opened their 40th season in Sacramento in front of a sold-out crowd at Golden 1 Center. The Timberwolves were playing their second game of the season after they dropped their season opener Tuesday night in Los Angeles to the Lakers 110-103.

The crowd was into it from the getgo. The Kings felt that energy, and jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Domantas Sabonis was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and DeMar DeRozan hit a layup. Sabonis was then fouled again, and this time, hit both from the line.

The Timberwolves then scored eight unanswered points, thanks to threes by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Minnesota’s eight unanswered points also set the theme of this game in motion

The Kings scored nine unanswered points of their own to take a 14-8 lead. After Keegan Murray’s fadeaway jumper gave the Kings the lead with 8:47 remaining in the first of the quarter, they would hold that lead the rest of the quarter. Minnesota made it close a couple of times, but the Kings led 32-29 at the end of one.

Malil Monk, and De’Aaron Fox, the Kings’ points leader in each of the last four seasons, each scored nine.

DeRozan hit a jumper in the first minute of the second quarter, and Murray was fouled and hit both from the line over a minute later to give Kings a 36-29 lead. After Sabonis hit the first of two from the line with 6:35 to go, the Kings’ lead was 48-40.

However, the Timberwolves went on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 51-50 lead. The Kings outscored Minnesota 9-4 over the remainder of the quarter, and they went into the half with a 59-55 lead.

The Kings came out of the gate strong in the third quarter, as they extended their lead to 81-69 with 6:22 to go. However, just like their eight-point lead in the second quarter, their 12-point lead was completely erased, and the Timberwolves retook the lead. Minnesota went on a 20-7 run to go into the fourth quarter up 89-88.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings started off with a 9-2 run to take a 97-91 lead with 8:57 to go. The run was capped off by a three by Murray, who after only scoring two points in the first quarter, really came alive later in the game.

Unfortunately, the Kings could not escape the overall theme of this game, as the Timberwolves went on a 14-2 run in just under three minutes to take a 105-99 lead, their biggest of the night.

This time, the Kings were the ones looking to come back, and they certainly made a game of it late. DeRozan was fouled and hit both shots from the line, and Sabonis slammed one down to make it 105-103 with 5:34 to go.

Naz Reid hit a hook shot, and Donte DiVincenzo hit a three ball to extend Minnesota’s lead back to five at 110-105, but the Kings kept coming. Sabonis hit a three with 4:15 left to make it 110-108, and the crowd at Golden 1 Center erupted.

Monk was fouled and hit the second of two free throws to tie the game at 112-112 with 2:20 left. Edwards made a jumper to put Minnesota back ahead with 1:28 to go, but Monk tied it on a layup with 53 seconds left. Monk was fouled on the play, and he hit his shot from the line to put the Kings back ahead.

Rudy Gobert was fouled with 38 seconds left, and he hit one of two to tie it at 115-115. The Kings then caught a bad break with 26 seconds to go. The ball went out of play, and from the replays, the Sacramento faithful seemed to think that it would be the Kings’ ball, but after review, the referees determined that the ball would go to Minnesota.

Chants of “REFS YOU SUCK!!!!!” rang throughout Golden 1 Center, and it’s all the fans could really do at that point. The Timberwolves ran down the clock, and when Edwards went in for a layup with two seconds to go, he was fouled.

Edwards hit both from the line to put the Timberwolves back ahead 117-115, and the Kings called timeout, so they could inbound the ball closer to the bucket. Keegan Murray got the ball and took an off-balance shot from beyond the arc, but it fell short, and the Timberwolves won 117-115.

Really, three guys carried the Timberwolves to victory Thursday night. Julius Randle scored 33 points; Anthony Edwards scored 32; and Naz Reid scored 19.

Despite scoring nine points in the first quarter, Fox only scored six more the rest of the way for a total of 15. DeRozan led the Kings Thursday night with 26 points, and he was followed up by Sabonis and Murray, who scored 24 and 23 respectively. Monk didn’t start, but he ended up scoring 17.

The Kings start off 0-1, and they will head down to Los Angeles to play the Lakers Saturday night. Tipoff from Crypto.com Arena will be at 7:30 p.m.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford needs to step up their defense against Wake Forest in their efforts get in win column

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Stanford Cardinal safety Mitch Leigber (left) is congratulated by teammate cornerback Cam Richardson (right) after intercepting a SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings pass at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The SMU Mustangs bulldozed the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday 40-10. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings threw three touchdown passes and the Cardinal defense simply couldn’t stop Jennings and the Mustangs.

#2 The win puts the Mustangs at 6-1 and the win over Stanford is their eight straight road win. SMU scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to get things started.

#3 The Cardinal have dropped to 2-5 and continue to have a winless conference record at home through Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor’s first two years at head coach.

#4 The Cardinal have now lost 11 straight home games and 16 games against ranked teams. The last time Stanford won a home game was against the No.3 Oregon Ducks 31-24 back on Oct 2, 2021.

#5 Stanford faces Wake Forest who are 3-4 and have lost three of their last five games and they just got by UConn in their last game Saturday by a field goal 23-20. Stanford comes in on a four game losing streak with the home field advantage this Saturday. Michael how do you see this match up between Wake Forest and Stanford and can the Cardinal stop the bleeding?

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal hoping to end skid against Oregon State Saturday at Berkeley

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NC State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (15) fell short of scoring a touchdown after being tackled by Cal Bears defensive back Cam Sidney (20) in the first half at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris it was quite an afternoon last Saturday as the NC State Wolfpack edged the Cal Bears at Memorial Stadium 24-23 from your view how close of a game was it for Cal in trying to seal the deal on this one?

#2 The Wolfpack’s CJ Bailey was successful in scoring two touchdowns and getting 306 yards enough offensive yards to get the job done.

#3 First half a close game where Cal had NC State close 13-10. The Bears Jaivian Thomas with an impressive 49 yard run for Cal’s first score of the game making it 7-0 with 13:47 in the first quarter. Second quarter Cal kicker Derek Morris booted a 41 yard field goal at 1:12 and Morris added another three points with a 26 yard field goal seven seconds left to close out the first half Cal in front 13-10.

#4 Third quarter again Morris kicked a field goal at 9:10 and a seven yard carry for a touchdown by Thomas with 24 seconds left in the quarter making it 23-10. In the fourth quarter the Wolfpack got touchdowns from Dacari Collins and Hollywood Smothers that edged out the Bears in the for a 24-23 Wolfpack win.

#5 Next game at Cal this Sat Oct 26 at 1:00pm PT as former co Pac 12 team the Oregon State Beavers come calling. The Beavers lost to UNLV last Saturday 33-25. The Beavers are 4-3 and have lost three of their last five games. The Bears are on a four game losing streak and hope to snap it this Saturday how do you see Oregon State and Cal matching up this Saturday?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda stay red hot as they route Silver Knights 5-2

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San Jose Barracuda defenseman Luca Cagnoni (#42) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Henderson Silver Knights with fellow teammates Andrew Poturalski (#22) and Joey Keane (#94) at the Lee’s Family Forum on Wednesday OCT 23, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda never won three games in a row last season.

They can check that box off of the list this season. Luca Cagnoni scored two goals to help his team defeat the Henderson Silver Knights 5-2 on Wednesday evening at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Jose has won three games in a row and four of its first five to start the season. Henderson has lost three games and four of its first five to start the season.

San Jose (4-1-0) drew first blood late in the first period with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell sent a pass down low over to Colin Graf behind the net. Graf skated out from behind the net and found Cagnoni in the left slot and the rookie defenseman blasted a one-timer past Silver Knights goalie Akira Schmid for his third goal of the season at the 15:57 mark.

Cagnoni, who has acted as a catalyst for the Barracuda offense, has scored a goal in three straight games.

The Barracuda doubled its lead with 10 seconds remaining in the opening frame. A turnover inside the Silver Knights zone led to Graf centering a pass from behind the net out to Andrew Poturalski in between the face off circles. Poturalski’ fanned on his first attempt but buried his second chance to the far side for his first career goal in a ‘Cuda uniform.

Henderson (1-4-0) had two power play opportunities but could not cash them in thanks to San Jose’s penalty kill remaining perfect to start the season, led by Barracuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal with the man advantage near the halfway point of the second period. Joey Keane sent a wrist shot up high on net and Scott Sabourin deflected the puck past Schmid for his second goal at the 9:13 mark.

Henderson answered to get on the scoreboard just under three minutes later. Dysin Mayo received the puck at the right slot from Gage Quinney. With Mitch McLain providing a screen on Askarov, Mayo lasered a wrist shot into the back of the net for his first goal of the season at the mark 12:10 mark

It was the first goal Askarov had given up in his three starts. He went 152:09 of shutout hockey before Mayo’s goal.

The Barracuda regained their three-goal lead late in the middle frame. A wraparound attempt by Brandon Coe was initially saved by Schmid. The rebound hit off Filip Bystedt and bounced out to the middle where Cagnoni lifted a backhander past the Silver Knight goalie for his second goal of the game and fourth of the season at the 15:07 mark.

San Jose earned its biggest lead near the halfway mark of the third period. Braden Hache led a rush up the ice. Hache’s pass intended for Kasper Halttunen took a favorable bounce into the Henderson’s zone. Coe skated in a on breakaway and slid the puck past Schmid from point-blank range for his first goal of the season at the 9:25 mark.

The Silver Knights scored their second goal after a bad rebound was given up by Askarov. Matyas Sapovaliv cleaned up the juicy rebound off of a Braeden Bowman shot that leaked out to the middle of the ice for his first goal of the season at the 11:57 mark.

Askarov (3-0) stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced to earn his third victory of the season and is 4-0 in his career against Henderson. Schmid (0-3) made 18 saves on 23 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Henderson went 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Cagnoni 2) Graf 3) Mayo.

Graf extended his point streak to five games.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-games series with Henderson on Friday 10/25 at 11:00am at Lee’s Family Forum.