Author: Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Angel pitcher Matt Harvey testified that he gave percocet to Skaggs

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Former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Harvey testified that he gave percocet pills to former pitcher Tyler Skaggs in the Angels clubhouse during the 2019 season (photo from insidehook.com)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Los Angeles Angels Communications Director Eric Kay who is facing 20 to life for distributing opioids to former Angels pitcher the late Tyler Skaggs which were fentanyl laced and killed the Angels pitcher.

#2 You got to know both Skaggs and Kay while broadcasting Angels game for the Angels TV Network knowing both Skaggs and Kay did this whole story shock you knowing the clean cut characters on the surface of these two the Angel player and employee?

#3 You talked highly of former Angeles vice president of communications Tim Mead who at one time in this case was also being investigated but was found not to be involved with Kay.

#4 Although Kay is up for sentencing on June 28 with a minimum sentence of 20 years former Angels pitchers CJ Cron and Matt Harvey testified in court and that Harvey received the percocet laced pills from Kay. Harvey testified he had given the percocet pills to Skaggs in the clubhouse.

#5 Tim Mead left the Angels and later worked as president of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown but left the job. Was the reason for his leaving Cooperstown based on the Eric Kay opioids distribution story which blew up and there were questions about if Mead was involved which later Mead was not involved?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaruy’s News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warrior All Stars shine at mid season classic

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Golden Warriors superstar Stephen Curry (30) stops to talk with fans at the 2022 Annual All Star Game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Sun Feb 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

1.  The All Star comes at just the right time for a struggling Warrior team.

2.  Juan Tuscano-Anderson and Jonathan Kuminga all took part in this weekends All-Star game.

3.  Andrew Wiggins had a bit of a slow start but it was a great honor to be included in this years AllStar game.

4. As often happens when Stephen Curry steps on the court he took over this All-Star game.

5.  Next up for the Warriors this Thursday will be the Portland Trail Blazers.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Beijing Winter Olympics NBC Ratings “Disaster”

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Eileen Gu picks up gold at the venue award ceremony during the 2022 Olympics for the women’s halfpipe at Zhangjiakou, China on Fri Feb 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

Beijing Winter Olympics NBC Ratings “Disaster”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The controversial Beijing Winter Olympics are history. NBC who paid $7.75 billion to carry the Olympics until 2032 for the United States, televised an Olympic with great political tone and corruption by the IOC (International Olympics Committee) who should have never awarded the 2022 Winter Olympic to China.

A diplomatic boycott by countries because of the Chinese communist government of human rights abuse on their Uyghurs Muslims minority as well as other allegations.

According to the Associated Press through Tuesday, an average of 12.2 million people watched the Olympics in prime-time on NBC, cable, or the Peacock streaming service, down 42 percent from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. The average for NBC alone was 10 million, a 47 percent drop, the Nielsen company said.

Norway, a country of 5.4 million people continued its domination in Winter Olympics. Norway not only broke the record for most gold medals in a single Olympics with 16 Gold medals, but also defeated the ROC – Russian Olympic Committee in the total medal count with 37. Nobody has won more medals in the Winter Olympics competition than Norway.

Top Five countries (Medals)

1-Norway 37

2-ROC 32 (Russia)

3-Germany 27

4-Canada 26

5-United States 25

IOC corruption: Kamila Valieva a Russian skater who was considered the best in the world and the first woman in history to land a quadruple jump (in Beijing last week) but was allowed to skate after she was found positive for enhancing performance drugs in December.

Interesting situation: The very successful American freestyle skater Eileen Gu, born in San Francisco, and competed for China, became the first action sports athlete to win three medals at a Winter Olympic Games. Obviously received much criticism from both countries.

 Olympians must be citizens of the country they represent, and China doesn’t allow for dual citizenship. So how are Americans with U.S. passports competing for Team China in Beijing?

That was the question from lots of US viewers.  Answer: (Rule 40-41) Any competitor in the Olympic games must be a national of the country which is entering such competition.

A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he/she might elect. In other words, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Congratulations to the great majority of the Olympic athletes that competed and well represented their respective countries.

NBC hoped to get a “bump” from their Superbowl coverage, but obviously that was not the case.

Thankfully the next Winter Olympics will be in Italy. Ciao!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Curry’s 50 Points Propels Team LeBron To All-Star Win 163-160

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Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, right, shoots for three as Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant tries to block the shot at Quick and Loans Arena in Cleveland during the NBA All Star Game on Sun Feb 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

Curry’s 50 Points Propels Team LeBron To All-Star Win 163-160

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the NBA All-Star game got underway and as always it was a star-studded event. Team Durant and Team LeBron took on each other in Cleveland in this wonderful charity event. Team LeBron is playing for the I Promise Program and team Durant will be playing for the Cleveland Food Bank. On top of that the NBA and State Farm will donate $1900 for every assist made during the game which will be divided between the two team’s charities.

On Team Durant the starters were Andrew Wiggins, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Trae Young and Ja Morant. For Team LeBron Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Demar Derozan, Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry. Team LeBron is favored by 5.5 points. With lineups like this it doesn’t get any more star-studded than this

It was a first quarter of long balls and crazy dunks by both teams and with 3:49 left in the first 12 minutes the score was 34 points apiece. It was very obvious that both teams were having a lot of fun playing but the fact remained that $100,000 were on the line for the winner of the first quarter.

Team LeBron won the first quarter 47-45 and the $100K for the Kent I Promise Program. High score for Team LeBron was the man himself with nine points and for Team Durant was Joel Embiid with 11 points the only player in the quarter with double digits.

The second quarter went to Team Durant winning 300K for their charity 49-46. The Warriors Curry had finished the half with 24 points and was eight of 11 from downtown. The all-time 3 point shooter certainly was living up to his reputation. The game score at the half was 94-93 in favor of Team Durant.

Halftime was a celebration of 75 years of the NBA. It was a celebration of family, of love and a celebration of all the players who have stepped foot on the court as an NBA player and all they have contributed to the game.

The show highlighted the legends of the past 75 years and it was amazing. A few of the names included of course the late great Kobe Bryant. Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Isaiah Thomas, Steve Nash, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Shaq O’Neill and the list goes on and on were present. What an incredible gathering of greats from the world of basketball

Curry took over the third quarter with a flurry of threes. The crowd was going crazy, the commentators were going crazy; it was insane. These shots were long and not just barely outside the arc, they were closer to mid-court than anything else. It was pure magic! His 15 shots were the most scored in an All-Star game in three quarters; seven of them in the third quarter. This guy just continues to break records.

The third quarter ended dead even at 45. The game score was 139-138 in favor of Team Durant. It was the Curry show with 45 points and 15 of 21 from downtown.

The fourth quarter target score was 163 points and the winner would earn an additional $150,000 for their charity. We saw more defense in this final quarter with a number of penalties. This game went down to the wire with Team LeBron winning 163-160. It was James himself who hit the winning shot. Curry would finish with 50 points and 16 from downtown.

The redesigned Kobe Bryant trophy was awarded to Curry this years MVP. There could not have been a more deserving, talented or humble guy to receive this award. This year’s All-Star game was a very special one with the diamond anniversary of the NBA being celebrated. Some very important charities will be on the receiving end of this game as well.

The beautiful Kobe Bryant trophy that went to the MVP was also an incredible highlight. So all in all this years All-Star game was one that we will not see for another 25 years.

Stars scored three goals in the third period upend Barracuda 4-1

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San Jose Barracuda can’t defend against the Texas Stars barrage of goals in their three goal loss on Sun Feb 20, 2022 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

CEDAR PARK, Texas — A much tighter game resulted in a different result.

The Texas Stars scored three goals in the third period en route to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Sunday afternoon at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose have lost eight out its last nine games. Texas have won two of its past three games. San Jose finished 2-2 in the season series against Texas.

It was a much tighter game played between the two teams compared to the wild 13 combined goals the previous night.

The first period featured a scoreless 20 minutes. Both teams had 11 shots a piece as the official scorer added a shot to the Barracuda during the intermission.

San Jose (15-27-1-0) had the only power play opportunity during the opening frame but weren’t able to capitalize on their chance.

Texas (15-18-5-4) had the best scoring chance in the first period when Fredrik Karlstorm had his breakaway attempted stoned away by ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Edmond with 3:18 remaining.

The Barracuda drew first blood in the first minute of the second period. Jayden Halbgewachs set up Nick Merkley in the left slot. The former first round draft pick skated in and sniped home a wrist shot past Stars goalie Matt Jurusik for his seventh goal of the season at the :58 mark.

Merkley snapped a 13-game goal less draught.

Texas answered back late in the middle frame. A shot from the point by Jerad Rosburg was initially stopped by Emond but the rebound was put into an open net by Jeremy Gregoire for his seventh goal of the season at the 16:05 mark.

The Stars dominated the Barracuda in the middle frame as the outshot them 17-3 and controlled the majority of the play.

Texas gained their first lead of the game a second after their power play expired early in the third period. Ben Gleason sent a back pass from the left end boards out to Joel L’Esperance who wired a wrist shot past the five-hole of Emond for his 16th goal at the 3:31 mark.

The Stars iced the game with two empty net goals in the final minute. Ty Dellanrea scored his 11th goal of the season at the 19:14 mark and Rosburg scored his first of the season with nine seconds left.

Jurusik finished the game stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced to earn the victory. Edmon, who made his first start since mid-December, made 38 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play. Texas was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) L’Esperance 2) Gregoire 3) Merkley

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Bakersfield Condors on Wednesday at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Headline Sports podcast with Bruce Magowan: Rooney Rules Flores gets LB coach job with Steel Curtain; US skating team still waiting for their silver

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Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores in 2021 was hired on Sat Feb 19, 2022 as linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Bruce Magowan:

#1 Bruce, former head coach of the Miami Dolphins Brian Flores was hired over the weekend as a linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers how ironic is the hiring considering the Steelers were the founders of the Art Rooney rule?

#2 Ice skaters at the 2022 Beijing Olympic are having some tough times first it was Russian skater Kamia Valievea who tested positive for performance enhancers and then fell in competition then the US Skating team did not receive their silver medals and demand to get them before they leave Beijing. They’ve asked attorneys to step in and order the IOC to award them the medals.

#3 Bruce, Golden State Warrior Draymond Green had his house in Oakland ransacked of $1 million in jewelry. Green discovered the theft after returning home from the Super Bowl. The burglaries entered through a window to get access and police have no leads as of Saturday night one week after the break in.

Join Bruce for Headline Sports podcasts every other Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Colorado wins fifth straight, routing Cardinal 70-53

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Stanford guard Michael O’Connell (5) and forward James Keefe, right,  try to put some defense on Colorado forward Evan Battey (21) at Maples Pavillion on Sat Feb 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 19, 2022

Stanford closed out the home portion of its 2021-22 men’s basketball schedule with a 70-53 Pac-12 loss at the hands of Colorado Saturday at Maples Pavilion.

Evan Battey paced the Buffaloes’ balanced attack in their fifth consecutive win with 15 points, followed by Nique Clifford with 14 points and seven rebounds. Keeshawn Bartelemy, Jabari Walker and K.J. Simpson each added 10 points for Colorado (18-9 overall, 10-7).

Jaiden Delaire led the Cardinal scoring on Senior Night, netting 12 points on 5 of 7 field goals, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range. Spencer Jones and Maxime Raynaud scored eight points each, and James Keefe grabbed nine rebounds.

Once again, Stanford (15-12 overall, 8-9 Pac-12) had trouble shooting at home, making 21 of 54 from the field (39 percent), including 5 of 20 behind the arc and 6 of 11 at the free throw line.

Colorado, meanwhile, made 52 percent on its field goals, going 24 for 46, making 6 of 13 3-pointers and making 16 of 23 free throws.

The Cardinal jumped to an early 12-3 lead in the first half, but CU responded with a run to surge ahead by three with 7:30 left in the half, Stanford led 31-29 at halftime, but the Buffs outscored the Cardinal 41-22 in the second half.

Along with Delaire, Lukas Kisunas, Sam Beskind, Daniel Begovich and Keenan Fitzmorris all played their final home game on Senior Night for the Cardinal.

Stanford’s next game is next Saturday in Berkeley against California, with a 5:30 tip-off.

Barracuda snap losing streak with wild 7-6 shootout win over Stars

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San Jose Barracuda players congratulate each other after one goal win over the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Sat Feb 19, 2022 (San Jose Barracuda image)

by Marko Ukalovic

CEDAR PARK, Texas —Roy Sommer can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The San Jose Barracuda blew a two-goal lead late in the third period but finally gave their head coach a reason to smile with a 7-6 shootout victory over the Texas Stars on Saturday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose snapped its season worst seven-game losing streak (as well as a six-game road losing streak). Texas has lost four of its past five games.

San Jose (15-26-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Kyle Topping sent a rink wide pass over to Cole Moberg in the left faceoff circle. Moberg snapped a wrist shot to the far side past Stars goalie Adam Scheel for his second goal of the season at the 5:45 mark.

Texas (14-18-5-4) answered back immediately on the ensuing faceoff. Joseph Cecconi sprung Jeremy Gregoire on a breakaway with a home run pass from his own zone. Gregoire skated in on ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk and beat him with a wrist shot for his sixth goal of the season 15 seconds later at the 6:00 mark.

The Stars gained their first lead of the game seconds after the Barracuda had killed off a penalty. Fredrik Karlstrom found Ryan Shea atop at the point. Shea fired wrist shot top shelf past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 17:56 mark.

San Jose evened the score in the early in the second period. Sasha Chmelevski made a back pass to Mark Alt along the left slot. Alt fired a wrist shot past Scheel for his third goal of the season at the 4:00 mark.

Texas countered over three minutes later. Karlstrom skated in a breakaway and his initial shot was saved by Melnichuk. However, Karlstrom cleaned up his own rebound as he lifted the puck over the right pad of Melnichuk for his eighth goal of the season at the 7:42 mark.

San Jose scored the equalizer on the power play late in the middle frame. Joachim Blichfeld found Artemi Kniazev up at the right point. The 21-year defenseman blasted a slapshot past a screened Scheel for his second goal of the season at the 14:45 mark.

The Barracuda scored their third goal of the period 31 seconds later to regain the lead. Chmelevski led a two-on-one with Santeri Hatakka. Chmelevski dished the puck over to Hatakka and the Finnish defenseman sniped home a wrist shot top shelf to the far side for his first career goal in North America at the 15:16 mark.

Stars head coach Neil Graham pulled Scheel after allowing four goals on 18 shots and replaced him with backup netminder Matt Jurusik.

San Jose went up 5-3 with their third unanswered goal after killing a penalty. Jasper Weatherby cleared the puck up to Topping just as he exited the penalty box and sprung him on a breakaway. Topping made a backhand to forehand move to beat Jurusik to the far side for a highlight reel goal, his first goal of the season at the 18:21 mark.

Topping snapped a 24-game goal less draught and both of his career AHL goals have come in the H-E-B Center against the Stars.

Texas cut the lead to a one-goal game near the halfway mark of the third period when Anthony Louis sent a wrist shot off the crossbar and into the back of the net for his 14th goal of the season at the 9:27 mark.

San Jose scored an insurance goal with its second power play goal of the game. Blichfeld sent a shot the caromed from behind the net out to the left side where John Leonard quickly snapped home a wrist shot past Jurusik for his 11th goal of the season at the 13:34 mark.

The Stars closed the gap to a one-goal lead for the second time in the game when Curtis McKenzie cleaned up a rebound with a backhander past Melnichuk for his 13th goal of the season at the 17:28 as Texas pulled Jurusik for an extra attacker.

Ty Dellandrea sent the game into overtime when he scored his 10th goal of the game with 21 seconds left in the third period.

The overtime session featured six combined shots but no goals.

Blichfeld scored the only goal in the three-round shootout to clinch it for San Jose.

Melnichuk finished the evening stopping 33 of the 39 shots, including going a perfect three for three in the shootout, he faced to earn the victory. He snapped a six-game winless draught. Jurusik made nine saves on 11 shots in mop up duty.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Blichfeld 2) McKenzie 3) Shea

UP NEXT: San Jose and Texas conclude their two-game series on Sunday 2/20 at 3:00pm at H-E-B- Center at Cedar Park

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal can’t hold on just miss with 60-58 loss to Utah

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Utah guard Gabe Madsen (55) shoots against California guard Jordan Shepherd at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the Utah Utes (10-16) didn’t score for almost seven minutes in the second half and the Cal Bears (11-17) almost took advantage of it cutting the score down to two points. The Bears made a valent effort at the end but couldn’t seal the deal taking a tough 60-58 loss at Haas Pavilion.

#2 Later though Utah found the basket and pulled away with just over seven minutes left in the game.

#3 The Utes held the lead in this one from the opening tip with a first half lead by 32-24 and couldn’t muster up to catch the Utes in the closing minutes of the game.

#4 The Bears Lars Thiemann 16 pts, Jalen Celestine, Kuany Kuany and Jordan Shepherd finished with 10 pts and Grant Anticevich with eight.

#5 Cal tips off against the Stanford Cardinal next Sat Feb 26 the Stanford has won only two of their last six games and lost to the Utes last Thursday 60-56. Tell us how you see this match up next Saturday.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Stars pull off win after going 0-0 in regulation; Bettman upholds Marchand suspension; plus more

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Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, left, can’t stop the Dallas Stars center Jacob Peterson who scores the game winning shootout goal at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Feb 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, as you know there are no ties in hockey and the Dallas Stars (27-19-2) and Chicago Blackhawks (18-25-8) played to a 0-0 in regulation and then a shootout which the Stars pulled it off with the score tied 1-1 and the Stars Jacob Peterson scoring the game winner.

#2 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the six game suspension of the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand in which he hit Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the jaw while Jarry was down on his knees freezing a puck and later after an official was escorting Marchand off the ice Marchand took his stick and hit Jarry in the chin with it in the Feb 8th game.

#3 Matt, talk about the Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi who is out with an lower body injury. Puljujarvi was injured Thursday in Anaheim at Rogers Place. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said Puljujarvi got tangled up and it wasn’t a dirty play and not an impact injury.

#4 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery says there is a lot of time between now and the March 21st trade deadline. Fluery wants to play one more year and hopes to finish up in Chicago. Matt do you see Fluery able to get his wish and finish up with the Blackhawks.

#5 The Philadelphia Flyers Claude Giroux is considering a trade and is discussing it with team general manager Chuck Fletcher. Giroux has a no trade clause in his contract. Fletcher said it’s Giroux’s decision and with the trade deadline coming Fletcher will waiting to hear from Giroux.

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