Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: After 941 days of waiting Big Splashy Return for Thompson

Klay Thompson is seen here on Mon Jan 3, 2022 taking practice shots before the Golden State Warriors host the Miami Heat at the Chase Center. Thompson debuted in his first game back in two and half years on Sun Jan 9, 2022 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Talk about Klay Thompson’s return?

#2 Kevon Looney had an exceptional defensive game that played a great part in this win.

#3 Stephen Curry sure got back on track after two loses in a row the most the team has suffered since the season started.

#4 What are Steve Kerr’s thoughts about the return of Thompson?

#5 The next game up for the Warriors will be against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night in Memphis. How do you see this game?

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

An Evening To Remember at Chase; Thompson Back as Warriors handle Cavs 96-82

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, puts up a three pointer over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lauri Markkanen (24) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Jan 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

An Evening To Remember at Chase Warriors Handle Cavs 96-82

By Barbara Mason

Sunday night fans got to celebrate the biggest game in Chase history. It seems as it we have been waiting a lifetime for the return of the Golden State Warriors (30-9) Klay Thompson. All the blood, sweat and tears that this guy has endured will come to fruition tonight. Win or lose, this game will be an unforgettable welcome home for the phenomenal Klay Thompson. The splash brothers are back!!! What a way to welcome them back as they earned a 96-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-18)

“Tonight is about showing our appreciation for what he has had to go through individually and express our affection for him. In a lot of ways it will be a very difficult game to lock in and focus on. That’s the challenge for the group amidst all this emotion,” said Head coach Steve Kerr before the game.

The Warriors took on the Cleveland Cavaliers looking for number 30 of the season. The Warriors will have to focus with all the hoopla that will be going on but they will not be alone. The Cavaliers will also have to block out what will be the loudest crowd that they have ever encountered.

The Warriors will be looking for some better shooting from downtown. They have come off of two forgettable games this season, not only losing two in a row but also two tough games shooting seven of 33 against the Pelicans on Thursday night and five of 28 against Dallas on three’s.

At 11:13 in the first quarter we got to see Klay’s first NBA bucket in 2 1/2 years; a textbook floater in traffic. The Cavaliers will have the challenge of trying to contain both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. After eleven minutes it became clear that the three-point drought had come to an end as Curry started the game four for four from downtown. The Warriors led after one quarter 24-21.

At the half the Warriors continued to hold the lead 51-46. In the second quarter Thompson had his first dunk and his first three of the game. The Warriors were only shooting 37% but it was their defense that kept the score in favor of Golden State. Kevon Looney had 10 rebounds in the half and Porter had six for a great defensive effort. Curry finished the half with 18 points, the only Warrior in double digits.

The Cavaliers had managed to hang with the Warriors until the third quarter. Golden State came unleashed in the third and extended their lead to 79-60. Looney had an amazing 16 rebounds in the quarter close to his all-time high.

The Cavaliers made a nice bid cutting the Warriors 24 point lead to ten in the fourth quarter but it just wasn’t enough. The Warriors shooting had cooled off in the final quarter but picked back up in the closing minutes. The final was 96-82. .

What could be better than seeing Curry and Thompson together again? Why a win with Curry and Thompson playing their first game together and that’s exactly what they got, the first of many. Thompson was on fire with his signature snarl evident throughout the game.

He had 17 points in 20 minutes of play and didn’t look the least bit winded. Curry finished with 28 points. Looney was amazing breaking his previous rebound record clocking 18. The entire team had a great defensive showing which was needed since the team only shot 39%.

“I was nervous to start. I am so grateful for this fan base. There were four or five shots that I should have made but I’m just thankful to be out here,” said Thompson after the Game. “:I am excited for the future. I’m just happy.”

Next up for the Warriors will be the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Tipoff is schedule for 5:00 PM.

Big night by Simons helps Blazers down Kings 103-88

Portland Trail Blazers guard Ben McLemore, right, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (left) go for the ball at the Moda Center in Portland on Sun Jan 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sunday, January 9, 2022

Anfernee Simons poured in 31 points, Jusuf Nurkic nearly put together a triple-double, and the Portland Trail Blazers defeated Sacramento 103-88 Sunday night at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter in Portland.

It was the fourth straight loss for the Kings, while Portland snapped a two-game skid.
Nurkic scored 14 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and collected nine assists for the Trail Blazers. Nassir Little and Ben McLemore each added 13 points for Portland. Simons finished with seven 3-pointers.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Kings with 17 points and nine assists, followed by Alex Len with 16 points and 10 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox had 14 points, Harrison Barnes scored 13 and Buddy Hield scored 10 off the Sacramento bench.

The Trail Blazers never trailed in the contest. Simons, filling in for Damian Lillard, hit a 3-pointer at the 7-minute mark of the fourth quarter to give Portland a 90-70 lead, its biggest of the game.
Sacramento then went on a 10-2 run to pull within 92-80. Simons responded with another 3 to halt the Kings rally with 4:36 remaining.

Fox’s start was a game-time decision because he’s nursing a sore right shoulder. Maurice Harkness sat this game out due to a sore right ankle. Richaun Holmes and Damian Jones were absent from the Kings lineup due to health and safety protocols.

The Kings return home Monday to host Cleveland, the first game of a five-game homestand.

Raiders Carlson does it again boots Vegas into post season defeat Chargers 35-32 in OT

Los Angeles Chargers free safety Derwin James Jr (33) puts pressure on the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) as he gets a pass away at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Jan 9, 2022 in the final regular season game of 2021-22 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson booted a 47 yard field goal right as time ran out in overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to help defeat the Chargers 35-32. It was the fourth consecutive win for the Raiders and the fourth straight game the Raiders won by three or less points.

This one really counted big as the win puts the Raiders into the post season the Raiders needed to win this final game of the regular season to advance to post season. The win eliminates the Chargers and helps the Pittsburgh Steelers advance to post season as well.

The Raiders who were down at one time in the game 17-0 came back on Los Angeles converting scores on fourth down ending up overtaking the Chargers 29-22. The Chargers made a last few seconds of the fourth quarter come back of their own when quarterback Justin Herbert threw a 12 yard pass to receiver Mike Williams to tie up the game 29-29 and force it into overtime.

The Raiders and Chargers proceeded to hit field goals to make it stay knotted up at 32-32. Carlson came in and got field position in the closing seconds of overtime to hit a 47 yarder and put the Raiders in the post season with the 35-32 win. Ironically Carlson was this week’s AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr went 20-36 for 186 yards, and two touchdowns. The Raiders got help from their wide receiver Hunter Renfrow who caught two touchdown passes and running back Josh Jacobs carried 26 times and picked up 132 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders prior to winning these last four in a row had lost five out of six previous to that run. The Raiders had dealt with plenty of adversity, having their former coach Jon Gruden forced to resign over racist and misogynistic emails, then wide receiver Henry Ruggs III DUI manslaughter charge in killing Tina Tintor in a drunken driving charge slamming into Tintor’s car killing her and her dog, then Damon Arnette who was released from the team for taking a video of himself carrying a automatic weapon with a scope and making threats to kill a fan on social media. In spite of all of these off field distractions the Raiders persevered and weathered the storm to make the post season.

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

49ers overcome 17-point deficit and defeat Rams 27-24 in an overtime classic

San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) and Kyle Juszczyk (44) celebrate after Gould’s field goal in overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

LOS ANGELES — It was a Hollywood ending, but not for the team in the blue and yellow.

The San Francisco 49ers overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 27-24 in overtime on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.

San Francisco finished 10-7 on the season clinched the sixth seed in the NFC. They will travel out to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in the wild card round of the playoffs. Los Angeles (12-5), despite the loss, finished first in the NFC West as the Arizona Cardinals lost to the Seattle Seahawks. They dropped to the fourth seed in the NFC and will host the Arizona Cardinals in the wild card round.

Los Angeles controlled the play in the first half. Their first two drives consumed over 15 minutes as quarterback Matthew Stafford methodically led his offense down the field with a nice balance where they were able to convert five of their first six third-down conversions.

Matt Gay capped a 12-play 61-yard drive with a 43 yard field goal.

On the Rams next possession Cooper Kupp set up Los Angeles inside the redzone with a 46-yard reception. Tyler Higbee scored a two-yard touchdown reception to give LA a 10-lead.

It was a rough start for the 49er’s offense and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the first half. Garoppolo had a fumble after a 14-yard sack (the Niners were able to recover the ball) and an interception as the Rams defense controlled the line of scrimmage.

San Francisco wasn’t able to get the running game going either as they ran for just 10 yards in the first half. Their special teams also performed poorly when they allowed a 31-yard punt return by Brandon Powell that set up the Rams in good field position.

Los Angeles took advantage of the punt return when Stafford found Higbee for his second touchdown of the game, a 15-yard leaping grab along the sidelines.

San Francisco gained momentum at the end of the first half when they went 61 yards on six plays on the final 38 seconds of the second quarter that resulted in a 42-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.

The 49ers came out with some mojo to start the second half. Garoppolo led them on a seven play 75-yard drive capped off with a 16-yard rushing touchdown by Deebo Samuel. It was the eighth rushing touchdown for Samuel this season for the hybrid wide receiver.

San Francisco’s defense dominated the second half as they forced four punts and a turnover. Emmanuel Moseley intercepted Stafford on Los Angeles’ second possession.

The 49ers ran the ball down the Rams’ throat as they tied it up at 17-17. 10 of the 11-play drive were runs as the offensive line controlled the trenches. San Francisco’s 11th play was a trick play that caught the Rams off guard. Samuel took a handoff and threw a 24-yard touchdown to Juaun Jennings who was left all alone down the right sideline.

San Francisco run for 125 of its 135 rushing yards in the second half.

Kupp was the catalyst when Los Angeles went up with 24-17 with 2:29 left in the fourth quarter. Kupp had a 30-yard reception to start the drive and ended it with a four-yard touchdown reception, his team leading 16th of the season.

San Francisco looked to have been done when Von Miller sacked Garopollo with two minutes remaining and forced the 49ers to punt.

However, the tenacious defense of San Francisco forced a three and out as the Niners used all their timeouts to get one more possession with 1:27 remaining.

Garopollo marched the 49ers down the field on a five-play 88-yard drive. He completed a 12-yard touchdown to Jennings with 26 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

The 49ers won the toss and drove 69 yards down the field on 12 plays the resulted in a Gould 24-yard field goal.

49ers rookie cornerback Aubrey Thomas sealed the deal when intercepted Stafford on a deep pass down the right sideline.

Garopollo finished 23 of 32 for 316 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a QB rating of 87.5. Running back Elijah Mitchell ran an efficient 85 yards on 21 carries. Brandon Aiyuk led the 49ers in receiving with six catches for 107 yards. Jennings finished with six catches for 94 yards to go along with his two receiving touchdowns.

Stafford finished 21 of 32 for 238 yards with three touchdowns, two interceptions and a QB rating of 93.0. Kupp had another outstanding game as he led all receivers with seven catches for 118 yards and one touchdown. Sony Michell had just 43 yards on 21 carries.

San Francisco sacked Stafford five times to go along with their two interceptions.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 9-for-14 on third down conversions. Los Angeles was 10-for-17.

San Francisco swept the season series and have won six in a row over their NFC West rival.

UP NEXT: San Francisco takes on the Dallas Cowboys from AT&T Stadium. Date and time TBD.

Blichfeld’s heroics propel Barracuda over Silver Knights 6-3

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Joachim Blichfeld helped the San Jose Barracuda save face and his head coach reach a new milestone

Blichfeld scored the eventual game winning goal late in the third period as the ‘Cuda responded after giving up a three-goal lead in the third period in a 6-3 victory over the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday evening at SAP Center.

For San Jose head coach Roy Sommer, it was his 800th win of his AHL career. He already holds the record for most wins by a coach in the history of the league.

“I’m glad it’s over with,” Sommer said with relief after the game. “A lot of wins, a lot of years it took to get it. (Doing it) with the same organization, I guess it makes it that much sweeter.”

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak. Henderson had its four-game winning streak end with the loss.

Cole Moberg found Blichfeld in the left slot and the Danish native sniped home a wrist shot past Silver Knights goalie Dylan Ferguson for his 11th goal of the season with 5:40 remaining in the third period to give San Jose a 4-3 lead.

“We talked before the faceoff and I said I was pulling back and he (Molberg) found me. I was really wide open, and I just went for it and luckily it went in,” Blichfeld said.

San Jose (12-15-1-0) drew first blood in the first period. Joachim Blichfeld put a backhander wide of the net. The puck caromed off the back boards back in front the crease where Sasha Chmelevski cashed in a point-blank shot past Ferguson for his sixth goal of the season at the 12:13 mark.

A scary moment happened earlier in the opening frame. Henderson forward Colt Conrad slammed headfirst into the end boards while chasing after a loose puck. Conrad hobbled off the ice with blood rushing from his leg into the Zamboni area before being attended to medically. He left the area on a stretcher and did not return to the game.

Henderson (15-8-2-1) outshot San Jose 8-7 in the first period but headed into the first intermission trailing by a goal as ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk played a perfect period.

San Jose doubled its lead on the power play early in the second period. John Leonard fired a shot on net that Krystof Hrabik wasn’t able to put in the rebound. Chmelevski crashed in while Ferguson was down on his back and slipped the puck into the net for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at the 4:03 mark.

Silver Knights center Pavel Dorofeyev was unlucky when he rang a wrist shot off the cross bar late in the middle frame off a two-on-one short-handed opportunity.

The Barracuda scored its third unanswered goal a minute into the third period. Leonard led an odd man attack and from along the left boards found Jake McGrew in between the face off circles. McGrew wired a wrist shot past Ferguson to the short side for his fourth goal of the season at the 1:05 mark.

Henderson did not go down quietly as they scored two goals in a 54 second span. Jonas Rondbjerg wired a wrist shot from the left slot that beat Melnichuk for his seventh goal of the season at the 4:42 mark.

Then Adam Brooks centered a pass from behind the net out to an open Sven Bartschi who buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 5:36 mark.

The Silver Knights scored the equalizer when Ben Jones made a backhand centering pass from behind the net and Reid Duke slammed home a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 11:56 mark.

Overlooked at the end was Chmelevski completing his first career AHL hattrick when he scored an empty net goal, his eighth of the season, at the 17:45 mark after Henderson pulled Ferguson for an extra attacker.

“Obviously I think we’ll (Sommer and I) both remember it,” Chmelevski said. “It feels good. I’m most proud of how the team responded after they tied it up. That’s not easy to give up a three-goal lead like that. But we responded the right way. That’s what counts.”

Mark Alt completed the game’s scoring with his own empty netter, his second of the season, from deep inside the ‘Cuda zone with 1:35 remaining in the game to seal the victory.

Melnichuk finished the game stopping 28 of the 31 shots he faced to earn the victory. Ferguson made 26 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Henderson was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Chmelevski 2) Leonard 3) Blichfeld

The San Jose Sharks have informed Evander Kane that he has been placed on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract for breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols. The Club will have no further comment on this matter.

The Barracuda are now 3-6-1-0 lifetime against the Golden Knights’ top affiliate, with all three wins coming in San Jose.

UP NEXT: San Jose continue their four-game homestand on Wednesday 1/12 as they host the Tucson Roadrunners at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Ovechkin close to winning Hart Trophy; Wild’s Kaprizov out for tonight vs. Washington; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin a three time MVP winner is up for the Hart Trophy Award (NHL.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin who has won the MVP three times is up for the Hart Trophy so far with 24 goals, 50 points, and has helped the Capitals to get to first place in the Metropolitan Division.

#2 The Boston Bruins Trent Fredric hit the Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov hitting him into the boards and Kaprizov’s skates got caught up with his teammate Matt Grzelcyk receiving an upper body injury at 10:09 of the second period in the 3-2 Wild win on Thursday night. Kaprizov will not play against the Washington Capitals tonight.

#3 The St Louis Blues dropped their odds a bit losing right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, defensemen Scott Perunovich, and Jake Walman to Coronavirus protocols. Each will miss two games after testing positive for Coronavirus.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights know how to spoil a reunion as they defeated the New York Rangers 5-1 in the return of former Knights head coach Gerrard Gallant. Gallant was the Knights first coach in their franchise history before being replace by Peter DeBoer on Jan 15, 2020.

#5 Three games were canceled in Canadian cities due to attendance restrictions New Jersey had two games postponed @ Montreal Jan 15 and at Toronto Jan 17th. The Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers were postponed for Jan 18. The Ottawa Senators had three games postponed.

#6 The San Jose Sharks gave Evander Kane his unconditional release today because of a fake Covid 19 card and he will no longer be skating for the Sharks minor league team the San Jose Barracuda. Kane has ability but because of off ice issues is no longer with San Jose.

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: The line will play a critical role against Rams; Shanahan leaning towards Garoppolo at QB Sunday

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs against Seattle Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed (2) and defensive back Marquise Blair at Levi Stadium on Sun Oct 3, 2021. Kittle needs 100 more receiving yards to get to 1,000 for the season as the 49ers play the Rams in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 9, 2022 (AP News file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, how crucial will physicality play for the San Francisco 49ers (9-7) line against the Los Angeles Rams (12-4) on Sunday?

#2 Another question Joe that was asked during this week’s zoom pressers with 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDonald, defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans, and tight end George Kittle why do the 49ers match up so well with the Rams.

#3 Two scenarios for the 49ers to get into post season first scenario they need to beat the Rams Sunday night or they need the New Orleans Saints (8-8) to lose to the Atlanta Falcons (7-9). Still the odds are 50-50 either way for the 49ers for a shot at post season.

#4 Kittle is having quite a year he’s been piling up the receiving yards and need 100 yards receiving to get to 1,000 yards. If achieved Kittle would join the ranks of Jerry Rice, and Terrell Owens as the only three 49ers to have 1,000 yards in a single year.

#5 Joe, Sunday how do you see the 49ers and Rams matching up in this one in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. The biggest game of the year for both teams a 1:25 pm kickoff.

Joe Hawkes does the 49ers podcasts weekends at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Kane out as a Shark will he get picked up by another team?

San Jose Sharks center Scott Reedy (54) and Buffalo Sabres center Mark Jankowski (17) make an attempt to get possession of the hockey puck in the first period of action at the Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Thu Jan 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, after playing three out of four games and giving up six or more goals and ending a two game losing streak on Thursday night in Buffalo do the San Jose Sharks (18-16-1) have it right after beating the Buffalo Sabers (10-18-6) in a narrow 3-2 contest.

#2 Len, it was a close game on Thursday night as the Sharks goaltender Adin Hill stopped 37 shots allowed two goals but stood on his head long enough to help the Sharks get the one goal win.

#3 Len, in those three games that the Sharks gave up more than six goals they seemed to have settled down on Thursday in Buffalo getting Hill some protection up front and Hill was able to stop a lot of shots that could have got this game going the other way.

#4 In the game Thursday the Sharks got scoring help from Matt Nieto and Timo Meier and strong defense after they gave up 14 goals in two straight games and 28 goals in five games.

#5 Len it’s the Philadelphia Flyers (13-15-6) next up for the Sharks, the Flyers got crushed in their last game by the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-8-5) 6-2 on Thursday night and the Flyers are on a four game losing streak on of those loses came against the Sharks in San Jose on Thu Dec 30 in close game 3-2. How do you see these two clubs matching later on tonight?

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

Silver Knights take advantage of Barracuda giveaways in 5-1 victory

The Henderson Silver Knights handled the San Jose Barracuda at SAP in San Jose on Fri Jan 7, 2022 (San Jose Barracuda image)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Christmas holiday has been over for the past two weeks but the San Jose Barracuda continued to gift wrap goals to the opposition.

Turnovers and infertility on the power play doomed the ‘Cuda in a 5-1 loss to the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost their past two games. Henderson have won four games in a row. They have points in seven straight (6-0-1-0) and are 8-2-1-0 over their last 11 games.

San Jose (11-15-1-0) played shorthanded with only dressing 11 forwards and six defensemen as there have been changes to the roster with the San Jose Sharks bringing up seven players from the ‘Cuda.

Henderson (15-7-2-1) drew first blood late in the first period on the power play. Pavel Dorofeyev and Ben Jones combined to find Connor Cocoran along the left slot and Cocoran’s one-timer beat ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey for a tic-tac-toe of a goal, Cocoran’s second of the season at the 13:22 mark.

The Barracuda had 10 shots in the opening frame, but Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera was perfect through the first 20 minutes.

Henderson doubled its lead nine seconds into the second period. A turnover by the ‘Cuda inside their own zone led to Dorofeyev roofing a wrist shot from the right wing past Harvey for his 11th goal of the season.

San Jose cut the lead in half under three minutes later with a short-handed goal. John Leonard stripped the puck off of Peter DiLiberatore in the neutral zone. Leonard skated in and from the left slot snapped home a wrist shot top shelf past Patera for his fourth goal of the season at the 2:39 mark.

It was the seventh short-handed goal the Barracuda have scored this season.

The Silver Knights regained its two-goal lead thanks to another Barracuda turnover. Ben Jones pick-pocketed the puck away from Santeri Hatakka. Jones skated backwards toward the crease where his initial shot was stopped by Harvey. However, the native of Waterloo, Ontario poked home his own rebound for his 11th goal of the season at the 7:00 mark.

Henderson scored its second power play of the game halfway through the middle frame. Lucas Elvenes found Cocoran along the left wing and the Silver Knight defenseman scorched a one-timer past Harvey for his second goal of the game and third of the season at the 9:15 mark.

The Silver Knights scored its fourth goal of the middle frame when Dorofeyev sent a puck toward the net from the end line and Jake Leschyshyn redirected past Harvey for his seventh goal of the season 15:21 mark.

‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer replaced Harvey in goal with Alexei Melnichuk to start the third period. Harvey finished with 17 saves on 22 shots in 40 minutes of action.

San Jose had a five-on-three power play opportunity in the beginning of the third period but weren’t able to generate any quality scoring chances as Henderson was able to kill it off without much difficulty.

Patera finished the evening stopping 27 of the 28 he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk handled all six shots he had to deal with in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Henderson was 2-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dorofeyev 2) Corcoran 3) Patera

Sommer sits just one victory shy of 800 in his career. The Oakland, Calif., native has been behind the bench for 1,700 games in the AHL, going 799-694-48-160 (W-L-T-OTL/SOL) over that span. During the 2015-16 season, the Barracuda’s first in San Jose, Sommer surpassed Fred “Bun” Cook (636 wins) for the most wins in AHL history, notching a 4-2 victory on Feb. 10, 2016, over Ontario. Sommer collected his 700th win on Dec. 3, 2017, at Bakersfield (2-1 W).

Forward Evander Kane did not play as he still on the Covid-19 protocol.

The Sharks recalled goaltender Adin Hill, defensemen Ryan Merkley and Jaycob Megna, and forwards Nick Merkley, Adam Raska, Scott Reedy, Jayden Halbgewachs, and Jasper Weatherby. In a corresponding move, the Barracuda recalled forward Kyle Topping of the Orlando Solar Bears on Thursday.

Artemi Kniazev and Timur Ibragimov have been added to Covid-19 protocol.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude their two-game series on Saturday 1/8 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.