Author: Sports Radio Service

Gutsy Warriors Fall Short To Denver 131-124;Golden State takes fifth straight loss

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, gets the ball away as Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, center, and center Kevon Looney try to put pressure on Jokic at the Ball Center Arena in Denver on Mon Mar 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Gutsy Warriors Fall Short To Denver 131-124

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors (43-22) took on the Nuggets (39-26) in Denver. The Nuggets come into this game riding on an nine of ten winning streak. They are playing red-hot ball right now after an overtime win last night against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Nuggets captured a 131-124 win over the Warriors at the Ball Arena in Denver on Monday night.

The Warriors come into the game without four of their best players on the court. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are out for this game resting. They are waiting on word regarding Draymond Green.

The starting roster for the Warriors were Kevon Looney, Moses Moody, Jordan Poole, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Damien Lee. The Warriors will have to limit the turnovers especially against a team that is playing so well right now and they will have to try to contain big man Nikola Jokic.

The Warriors had a nice start in the first quarter taking an early lead 14-9. The Nuggets starting forcing a few turnovers and Denver quickly caught up and took a 34-24 lead with 1:11 left in the first 12 minutes Denver took a 40-31 lead after one quarter.

Moses Moody led the Warriors shooting with 15 points and the rest of the Golden State starters had 11 combined points. Denver had shot at 70% in the opening quarter which could prove a problem if they continued at that pace.

The Warriors were able to pull to within five points in the second quarter and were doing their best to hang around in this game. Although the Nuggets continued shooting well, (at 62% in the quarter) the Warriors continued to handle business.

They trailed by a couple at the half 71-69. The efficient offensive effort for the Warriors was great. Moses Moody finished the half with 22 points and Kuminga had 12 off the bench. Poole got really hot in the second quarter with 11 points.

The Warriors continued to hang in the game. After three quarters they trailed 104-101. Golden State was putting on a feisty, gutsy show refusing to back down. Going into the fourth quarter mental lapses by the Warriors turned the tables. Denver was making them pay for any mistakes they committed.

The Warriors got within four points after trailing by double digits mid-way through the quarter. It was no surprise when the Nuggets turned to Jokic down the stretch. Golden State gave the Nuggets all they could handle but just came up short. The final was 131-124 in favor of Denver.

Golden State has to be proud of the effort that they put into this game. Poole had 32 points and Moody finished with 30 points. Kuminga had 16 points. Looney had 11 rebounds. The Warriors now sit in third place in the Western Conference.

Tuesday night the Warriors are back at it taking on the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center. It will be great to be back home if only for one game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal no match for No.2 Arizona in 89-61 loss; Cal moves onto Pac 12 Tournament Wednesday

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Cal Bears Jordan Shepherd led Cal in scoring last Saturday against the Arizona Wildcats with 16 points. Cal will be dependent on Shepherd’s offense as the Bears face the Washington State Cougars Wed Mar 9, 2022 at the Pac 12 Tournament. ( file photo by Sports Illustrated)

On the Cal podcast with Morris:

#1 Anytime you know your going to face the Arizona Wildcats (28-3) you know you have your work cut out for you such was the case in Saturday’s 89-61drilling of the basket by the Wildcats who threw up 62% of their shots from the floor against the Cal Bears (12-19).

#2 The Wildcats didn’t show any ware at all after playing five games in ten days in an almost NBA type schedule the Wildcats have won nine of their last ten games.

#3 But what may have been most impressive was the Cats put up 89 points despite having to deal with Cal’s plodding pace, and a couple of impressive, but short-lived stretches of play by the Bears.

#4 Oumar Ballo, the transfer from No. 1 Gonzaga, led the Cats with 16 points on 7 for 7 shooting from the floor. Ballo was the biggest piece of Arizona’s octet of reserves that combined to shoot 18 of 24 from the floor and 7 for 7 from the foul line.

#5 Next up for Cal the Washington State Cougars (18-13) to open the Pac 12 Tournament who have won five of their last six games and also defeated the Oregon Ducks (18-13) by 20, 94-74 at Washington State on Saturday. This will be game one for Cal at the Pac 12 Tournament on Wednesday.

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors on four game losing streak; Will try again in Denver tonight

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The call may not have gone the way Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James may have wanted as he’s seen here reacting after being called for a foul but he wound up scoring a team leading 56 points against the Golden State Warriors on Sat Mar 5, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Los Angeles Lakers (28-35) LeBron James had the hot hand against the Golden State Warriors (43-21) on Saturday night with a team leading 56 points and the Warriors had complications trying to shut his offensive game down.

#2 The Lakers 124-116 win snapped their four game losing streak it had to be a relief for a LA team with a tandem of superstars like LeBron, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony.

#3 For the Warriors it just seemed like a struggle to shut down LeBron’s game as LeBron said in the post game conference, “I felt pretty good with my game tonight, every part of the floor, and I was able to make a couple plays to help us win,”

#4 It was the third highest point total for the regular season for LeBron, For the Warriors it just seemed like a struggle to shut down LeBron’s game on the defensive side of the ball.

#5 Klay Thompson said his shot wasn’t falling and some even hit the backboard on Saturday night. How do you see Thompson and the Warriors as they match up tonight against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver.

Join Barbara for the Warrior podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Leonard’s hat trick power Barracuda past Roadrunners 6-2

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San Jose Barracuda John Leonard acknowledges his teammates and fans after scoring a goal one of three to make a hat trick against the Tucson Roadrunners at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Mar 6, 2022 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–John Leonard recorded his first ever hat trick as the San Jose Barracuda routed the Tucson Roadrunners 6-2 on Sunday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose have won two out of its past three games. Tucson has lost four games in a row.

Tucson (17-26-3-1) drew first blood early in the first period. Hudson Fasching made a cross rink pass over to Michael Carcone who rifled a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Emond for his team leading 23rd goal of the season at the 3:42 mark.

San Jose (17-28-2-0) answered back at the 7:40 mark when John Leonard scooped up a loose puck just outside the Roadrunners crease. Leonard lifted a backhander over the stick of Roadrunners goalie Ivan Prosvetov for his 14th goal of the season.

Leonard has a goal in three consecutive games.

San Jose gained its first lead on the power play midway through the second period. Leonard’s shot from the left wing caromed over to Lane Pederson on the right side. The former Roadrunner forward cleaned up the rebound into an open net for his first goal in a Barracuda jersey at the 9:23 mark.

Tucson scored the equalizer early to start the third period. A shot from the point Matt Foley sneaked it’s way off the post into the net for Foley’s first goal of the season at the 2:26 mark.

San Jose answered back less than three minutes later. Dillon Hamailuk found a trailing Nick Merkely in the slot and Merkely buried a wrist shot past Prosvetov for his 10th goal of the season at the 5:07 mark.

The Barracuda scored an insurance with their second power play goal of the game. Merkley found Joachim Blichfeld near the right side if the net. Blichfeld’s one timer bounced off Prosvetov and into the back of the net for his 17th goal of the season at the 12:26 mark

San Jose sealed the deal with 3:04 remaining in the final frame when Leonard scored his second goal of the night, a one timer past Prosvetov for his 15th goal of the season.

Leonard finished off his hat trick with a nice move to get Prosvetov to go down before sliding the puck underneath him for 16th goal of the season with 55 seconds left in the game.

Emond finished the evening stopping 36 of the 38 shots he faced to earn the victory. Prosvetov made 28 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-4.

This was the first Barracuda game that has featured two women as on ice officials. Samantha Hiller served as one of the referees and Kirsten Welsh served as one of the lines persons.

The Three Stars of the Game were:

1) Leonard 2) Emond 3) Merkley

The game featured the second Paws & Pucks promotion where fans were able to bring their dogs to the game. It also was a Hockey Is For Everybody night.

UP NEXT: San Jose goes on the road to take on the Ontario Reign on Wdnesday 3/9 at 7:00pm at Toyota Arena.

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Griner accused of drug smuggling in Moscow; Where MLB and players stand in lockout; plus more

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The Phoenix Mercury star player Brittney Griner (42) is in a holding cell in Moscow as Rep Barbara Lee has demanded for her release. Griner has been detained for at least three weeks. (AP file photo)

On Headlines podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Phoenix Mercury and WNBA All Star Brittney Griner as it was learned that she had already been in a Russian prison for three weeks when it was announced on Saturday that a dog sniffing for drugs at the Moscow Airport flagged her suit case for cannabis. Griner is looking at ten years if convicted of illegal drug smuggling.

#2 Jerry on two issues surrounding the MLB lockout should the players consider relenting on the luxury tax and the players said the would relent on going from 12 to 14 teams for playoffs.

#3 Jerry another tough game for the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night against the Nashville Predators. The Sharks have lost ten of their last 12 games and the Predators have now won four of their last eight games. The Sharks were shutout for most of the game with the Preds carrying a 4-0 lead after two periods if you thought that was bad Nashville scored four more unanswered goals in the fourth period to crush the Sharks 8-0 in a shutout laugher.

#4 Back to baseball MLB and the players are still far apart on revenue sharing and the big market teams vs. small market teams, salary arbitration, and the MLB minimum salary.

#5 The Golden State Warriors (43-21) melted down in the fourth quarter 35-22 they just could get any offense going and struggled to even keep up with the Los Angeles Lakers (28-35) this is all kind of shocking as the Warriors have lost seven of their last eight games and have lost four games in a row.

Jerry F is filling in for Bruce Magowan who does Headline Sports podcasts every other Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal close out regular season with 65-56 loss to ASU

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The Arizona State Sun Devils jump for joy after nailing down a victory against the visiting Stanford Cardinal at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (photo by Arizona State Sun Devils Athletics)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, March 5, 2022

For the second straight game, Stanford took a halftime lead but couldn’t sustain it, as the Cardinal fell to Arizona State 65-56 Saturday at Tempe, Ariz., in the Pac-12 men’s basketball regular season finale for both schools.

Senior Marreon Jackson netted 18 points in his final home game, as the Sun Devils (14-16 overall, 10-10 Pac-12) finished their conference schedule with four straight victories and seven wins in their final eight games.

Stanford closed out the Pac-12 slate with five consecutive losses, dropping seven of its last eight games.

Jackson was eight of 15 from the field, along with six assists, six steals and six rebounds. Jalen Graham was next for ASU with 16 points on five of six field goals, and DJ Horne added 12 points and four assists.

Spencer Jones and Brandon Angel each scored 14 points to lead the Cardinal. Jones connected on three of five behind the arc, and Angel made four three-pointers. Harrison Ingram grabbed nine of the Cardinal’s 36 rebounds to go with four assists and three steals.

Stanford (15-15 overall, 8-12 Pac-12) led 32-30 at the intermission. Alonzo Gaffney hit a jumper to tie the game to open the second half, and followed with a 3-pointer at 16:41, putting the Sun Devils up 35-32.

Jaiden Delaire responded with a 3-pointer for the Cardinal, but Graham converted a three-point play, Horne and Jackson hit baskets, and ASU had a 43-37 lead.

Brandon Angel sank a three–pointer with 6:13 to play, putting the Cardinal up 52-51, but the Sun Devils responded with a 10-0 run and didn’t look back.

Stanford and ASU will meet in the opening round of the Pac-12 tournament on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Earthquakes down a man come back to earn a point against the Crew in a 3-3 draw on match’s final play

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Francisco Calvo (80) of the San Jose Earthquakes scored two goals in the final two minutes at Pay Pal Park in San Jose for the win over the Columbus Crew on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (photo by San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Francisco Calvo has only played two games for the San Jose Earthquakes but has already made an immediate impact.

Down by two goals late in the second half and down a man, Calvo scored two goals off two separate headers in the final 10 minutes of the match to earn a 3-3 draw for San Jose over the Colombus Crew on Saturday afternoon at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose (0-1-1) drew first blood early thanks to Paul Marie who drew a penalty kick for San Jose in the fifth minute after Milos Degenek fouled him inside the box.

After video review Christian Espinoza made a slight hesitation before beating Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room with a low show to the left corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Quakes were on the wrong end of a controversial call in the 33rd minute. Jamiro Monteiro battled for a loose ball with Darlington Nagbe when both collided with one another. Referee Guido Gonzales Jr. initially issued a yellow card to Monteiro.

After video review, the call was changed to a red card an automatic ejection for Monteiro. They called swung momentum over to the Crew’s side.

Columbus (1-0-2) finally cashed in with San Jose being down a man in the 40th minute. Steven Moreira dribbled inside the box and crossed the ball over to Lucas Zelarayán who blasted a shot into the top right corner for his second goal of the season.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda decided to shake up the lineup to start the second half. In were Cade Cowell and Judson for Chofis and Eric Remedi to bring in more of an attacking presence.

Philadelphia gained its first lead in the 68th minute off a set piece. A corner kick resulted in Yaw Yeboah crossing the ball back into the middle where Gyasi Zardes one timed the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Union scored what appeared to be an insurance goal five minutes later off a free kick. Zelarayán recorded his brace when he was able to bend in his right footed shot past Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski in the 73rd minute.

San Jose cut the lead to one goal in the 84th minute. Ján Gregus centered a free kick from 25 yards out into the middle of box where Francisco Calvo was left unmarked and headed the ball past Room for his first goal as a member of the Earthquakes.

Calvo’s heroics came on the last play of the match thanks to a gaffe by Room that gave San Jose a corner kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Once again it was Gregus who centered the ball into the middle of the box and Calvo headed the ball into the lower right corner for his brace.

Marcinkowski made four saves on seven shots. Room finished with one save on four shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with four corner kicks. Colombus had nine.

Nathan, who suffered a torn meniscus in last Saturday’s season opener vs. the New York Red Bulls. He had surgery on Monday and is expected to miss up to two months.

San Jose had their undefeated record vs. Columbus at PayPal Park extended to four matches (2-0-2). Additionally, the Earthquakes extended its unbeaten streak of eight straight home matches against Columbus (4-0-4) dating back to a 3-0 loss in August 2009, also snapped. The eight-game run is San Jose’s longest active home unbeaten run against any single opponent.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels out to Philadelphia to take on the Union on Saturday 3/12 at 4:30pm at Subaru Park.

Fourth Quarter Meltdown Hands Warriors Fourth Loss In A Row 124-116

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LeBron James who scored a game leading 56 points against the Golden State Warriors takes the ball against the Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

Fourth Quarter Meltdown Hands Warriors Fourth Loss In A Row 124-116

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night two struggling teams were trying to set their ship right. The Golden State Warriors (43-21) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (28-36) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and fell to the Lakers 124-116. The Warriors have lost four in a row for the first time this season.

When the season started, the Warriors almost looked unbeatable and the Lakers with their impressive starters were actually picked to win the Western Conference. Fast forward and the Lakers are fighting to maintain a spot that will make them eligible for the play-in game. They have lost every game since the All-Star dropping four in a row.

The Warriors, although in a much better spot than Los Angeles, having been struggling losing seven of their last nine games. They are missing Draymond Green and right now there is no timetable for his return. Golden State does have the second best record in the NBA.

Before the game Magic Johnson was explaining exactly what has been happening with the Lakers and their lack of offense and defense. Everything that he said could have been applied to the Warriors as well. Both of these teams were hoping to turn things around tonight.

The first quarter was all Lakers as they took a 25-11 lead. They were pounding the Warriors in the paint and keeping the Warrior offense at bay. It was an ugly start for Golden State. As the quarter began to wind down the Warriors made a move cutting the Laker lead in half 32-25.

After the quarter Head Coach Steve Kerr was asked what he though of the first quarter. “I didn’t think much of it,” he said. “We didn’t put up much of a fight.” The way that Golden State ended the quarter was far better than their start.

The Warriors kept the pressure on the Lakers and at 7:12 in the second quarter had taken the lead 45-40. There had been a 24 point turnaround since the start of the game. The early Laker start had gone completely awry. After trailing by as much as 14 in the second quarter the Lakers made a move as the half came to an end trailing by the score of 67-62.

LeBron James had scored 26 points in the first two quarters. The high score for the Warriors was off the bench as Jordan Poole came away with 16 points. Stephen Curry had 14.

The Warriors continued to lead through the third quarter but it all turned around in the fourth. The Golden State offense began to stumble and LeBron hit a couple of three’s that gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half 100-97.

The Golden State defense needed to tighten up. The final seven minutes of this game was electrifying. Great offense and defense by both teams, a flurry of three’s and this game was up for grabs.

The Warriors had a meltdown in the final three minutes offensively and defensively. Giving the Lakers wide open looks was not going to win very many games and late game turnovers sealed the Warriors fate as they lost their fourth game in a row.

LeBron finished with an amazing 56 points. Curry had 30 points and Poole had 23 off the bench for the Warriors in just one of another disappointing game for Golden State. This loss coupled with the Memphis Grizzlies win dropped the Warriors into third place in the Western Conference.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors as they take on the Denver Nuggets Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Heat upend Barracuda 4-3 with Valimaki’s OT winner

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It takes two to tango the Stockton Heat’s left winger Alex Gallant (20) and the San Jose Barracuda defenseman Montana Onyebuchi (79) mix it up at the Stockton Arena on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Every point is a critical one for the San Jose Barracuda.

They overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period but weren’t able to pick up the second point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Stockton Heat on Saturday evening at Stockton Heat.

Juuso Valimaki scored 52 seconds in the extra session, his second of the season, to give the Pacific Division leaders their 31st win of the season.

San Jose have lost two out of its past three games. Stockton snapped its two-game losing streak and still only have single digit losses in regulation.

Stockton (31-9-4-1) drew first blood early in the first period. Nick DeSimone made one move around a Barracuda defender before firing a wrist shot at the net that was tipped past ‘Cuda netminder Alexei Melnichuk by Luke Philp for his 17th goal of the season at the 3:50 mark.

The Heat doubled its lead just past the halfway mark of the opening frame. Emilio Pettersen centered a pass from behind the net to Walker Duehr who buried a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his sixth goal of the season at the 10:37 mark.

San Jose (16-28-2-0) were even with Stockton on the shot clock with nine shots but weren’t able to get nothing past Heat netminder Dustin Wolf.

The Barracuda cut the lead in half midway through the second period. Dillon Hamaliuk led an odd man rush into the Heat zone. Hamaliuk found Sasha Chmelevski all alone in front of the crease and the Orange County native beat Wolf with a one-timer for his 10th goal of the season at the 10:04 mark.

Stockton regained their two-goal lead late in the middle frame when a big hit at the ‘Cuda blueline led to a two-on-zero that resulted in Pettersen scored his fifth goal of the season at the 17:03 mark.

San Jose scored two goals in the third period to force overtime.

Artemi Kniazev made a backdoor centering pass to a wide open Hamaliuk and he buried a one-timer past Wolf for his second goal of the game.

It was Hamaliuk’s first multi-point game of his AHL career.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer on a three-on-one rush after a turnover by Stockton in their own zone. John Leonard skated in a wired a wrist shot past Wolf for his 13th goal of the season at the 14:15 mark.

Wolf finished the evening stopping 28 of the 31 shots he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk made 34 saves on 38 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams did not have a power play opportunity as neither team drew a penalty during the game.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Valimaki 2) Pettersen 3) Philp

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Tucson Roadrunners on Sunday 3/6 at 5:00pm at SAP Center.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Canadiens hosting game with no crowd limit; Leafs won’t deal goalies; plus more

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Montreal Canadien fans can fill up the Rogers Centre in Montreal tonight as they Habs host the Edmonton Oilers for the first allowed capacity game after many years of Covid 19 protocol restrictions (file photo Fox News)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens face off tonight with no crowd limits, mask mandate still in effect. They expect 18,000 fans at Rogers Centre in Montreal. Fans are happy they get to fill the arena how safe will this decision be?

#2 Matt, the Toronto Maple Leafs say they have no plans to deal goaltender Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek. Both goaltenders combined have allowed 31 goals in the last seven games there have been calls in Toronto by fans and the media to trade one of the goalies. Kyle Dubas the Leafs general manager said he doesn’t need to deal either goalie but would like to obtain more defense.

#3 Matt how important is it that the Philadelphia Flyers Kevin Hayes has returned to the line up after missing 15 games and is expected to return this Saturday. Hayes said he had a bad groin infection that spread to his left side. Hayes says he feels pretty good now.

#4 The San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer is week to week with a lower body injury he sustained in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights on Tuesday who played in his 12th straight game. Matt, was it a matter of the Sharks just over played Reimer or some way some how Reimer was going to run out of gas and something was going to happen. Also talk who the Sharks most likely will go with in goal Adin Hill, Zachary Sawchenko, or Alex Stalock?

#5 Matt, the Carolina Hurricanes will get a shot at hosting the Stadium Series on Feb 18, 2023 when they host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Carter-Finley Stadium at North Carolina State University in Raleigh NC.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com