Author: Sports Radio Service

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal now on a four game win streak; It’s the Big Game at Stanford next on Sunday

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The Cal Bears Grant Anticevich (15) led with 25 points against the Pacific Tigers on Wednesday at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (photo by Cal Athletics Dept)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael when this season began no one would have predicted that the Cal Bears (8-5) would be three games over .500. The oddsmakers had the Bears nearly 12th from last place in the nation at the start of the season.

#2 Cal picked up their eighth win on Wednesday afternoon and it was not even close as they clobbered the Pacific Tigers (5-9) 73-53 a 20 point win and a huge contribution from Cal leading scorer Grant Anticevich with 25 points.

#3 Head coach Mark Fox has to be excited with Cal’s offense last night the Bears had four players in double figures and he’s got players like Anticevich, Justine Celestine, Andre Kelly, and Jordan Shepherd going on all cylinders right now.

#4 Michael, if you had to point to one or maybe two things that have accelerated offense that improved this team as they are on a current four game win streak.

#5 The Bears head to Palo Alto and on the hill at Maples Pavilion to face their cross bay rivals the Stanford Cardinal Sun Dec 26 at 4:00pm. The Cardinal have been doing well in their own right winning six of their last nine games. Their latest win came on Wednesday night against Wyoming 66-63 and they take on Liberty at noon today. Tell us how you see Cal and Stanford matching up on Sunday?

Michael does the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford looks to pick up second straight win against Liberty in Diamond Head Classic

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The Stanford Cardinal Jaiden Delaire (11) led the Cardinal with 17 points on Wed Dec 22, 2021 against the Wyoming Cowboys in the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu (file photo Stanford Cardinal)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal’s (7-4) Jaiden Delaire 17 points and Spencer Jones 15 points were a huge help as the Cardinal just got by the Wyoming Cowboys (9-2) at Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu on Wednesday afternoon 66-63.

#2 Wyoming got 25 points with 11 rebounds from Graham Ike who led in scoring teammates Hunter Maldonado had 18 points and Xavier DuSell finished third in scoring with 13 a great effort but Wyoming falls three points short and faces Northern Iowa in the consolation tournament.

#3 Wyoming had the ball with 8.1 seconds left in the game but couldn’t convert two three point attempts to try and at least tie up the ball game. Stanford comes away with a three point win and have now won six of their last nine games.

#4 Jones and Michael O’Connell were key for Cardinal scoring combining for 11 points in Stanford’s final 14 points of the game.

#5 Stanford battles the Liberty Flames (8-4) who have won seven of their last eight games. Liberty got a win today against Northern Iowa (4-6) 75-74 on Wednesday in a razor close game. Liberty had four players in double figures in the win. Daniel talk about how you see this match up in Honolulu between Stanford and Liberty with a 12 pm PST tip today.

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings can’t overcome their poor shooting and sloppiness in 105-89 loss to Clippers

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Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) gets the rebound as the Los Angeles Clippers’ Nicolas Batum (33) and Ivica Zubac (40) defend at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 22, 2021 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SACRAMENTO —The Sacramento Kings hope they don’t get coal for presents from Santa Claus for Christmas.

Their ineffective shooting and not being able to take care of the ball might have gotten them on Santa’s naughty list in 105-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento have lost two games in a row and three out of its last four. Los Angeles have snapped its three-game losing streak.

Interim head coach Alvin Gentry missed his fifth consecutive game since being placed on the Covid-19 protocol on December 15th with assistant coach Doug Christie handling the head coaching duties for a fifth straight game.

Sacramento (13-19) came out flat and started out as cold as the weather outside. They began the game shooting 1 for 9 from the field and were held to just 33% (8-24) shooting in the opening quarter and had six turnovers. Guard Buddy Hield played all 12 minutes and was 0-6.

“We just played bad,” Haliburton said. “It’s a make or miss league. I thought we had some descent looks. But we just couldn’t put the ball in the basket, especially early.”

Los Angeles (16-15) started game on 13-5 run. Terrance Mann sparked the offense in the first quarter with nine points and center Ivan Zubac had six. They led 25-20 at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter was even less kind to the Kings as the Clippers began the quarter on a 11-3 run. Sacramento continued its carelessness with the ball with five more turnovers as they shot an anemic 32% (6-19).

Serg Ibaka chipped in five points and Eric Bledsoe scored the last four points for Los Angeles in the half as the Clippers led 49-38 at halftime.

Los Angles looked to have the game in hand when they went on a 13-2 run to increase its lead to 67-49 with 6:09 remaining with Bledsoe scoring seven of the 13 during the two-minute stretch.

However, Sacramento responded an 11-2 run of their own as Tyrese Haliburton scored five points in a row. Tristian Thompson and Hield made back-to-back three pointers to close the gap to 69-62. The Kings outscored Clippers 30-25 in the third quarter as the were down 74-68 to start the fourth quarter.

Sacramento wasn’t able to overcome their poor shooting and 19 total turnovers in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles closed out the final 5:47 on a 14-4 run to seal the deal as Ibaka scored 12 of his 17 points in the final quarter off the bench for the Clippers.

“It’s attention to the small things,” Christie said about the sloppy play by his team. “Attention to details. It’s making sure where is the ball and where am I supposed to be. You gotta hold yourself accountable and you gotta make sure you’re doing it. ‘My bad’ isn’t going to cut it in this league. You’re going to lose saying that.”

Haliburton led all scorers with 22 points to go along with a team high 13 assists. Harrison Barnes chipped in with 18 points and Hield finished with 16.

Bledsoe led the Clippers in scoring with 19 points and seven assists. Paul George chipped in with 17 points, including a dagger three pointer with 3:23 left in the game to put Los Angeles up comfortably 99-86.

GAME NOTES: Sacramento finished 12-for-38 from beyond the arc. Los Angeles was 7-for-24.

Sacramento signed Emmanuel Mudiay to a 10-day deal. Mudiay had been playing in Europe this season.

Queta Neemias was placed on the Covid-19 protocol yesterday.

UP NEXT: Sacramento hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday 12/26 at 3:00pm at Golden 1 Center.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: NHL announces no NHL players at the Olympics; U Conn women not in top 10 first time in 16 yrs; plus more

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The NHL and NHLPA have agreed to not have players attend the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled between Feb 5-22 and will make up postponed games during that time as announced Tue Dec 21, 2021 (image from Vegas Hockey Now)

On the Headlines podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica tonight we start with the NHL calling for this week’s leaguewide shutdown which was announced on Monday due to the positive coronavirus outbreak that has ten NHL teams facilities already shut before the shutdown was announced.

#2 The Holiday break was announced two days earlier and the NHL isn’t schedule to be back until Monday. Five games scheduled for Thursday has been postponed a total 50 games postponed this season.

#4 The NHLPA and the NHL have come to an agreement that no players will be participating in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Feb 5-22. The NHL with it’s massive Coronvirus outbreak and travel between Canada and the US has been banned the NHL decided to not send players to Beijing. The NHL will use those dates to make up games that are currently postponed.

#3 Jessica, in women’s college basketball the U Conn Huskies 16 year steak of being in the top 10 is over. The Huskies lost to Louisville and dropped four places in the AP poll on Monday dropping to 11th. The last time the Huskies were in 11th place was back on Mar 7, 2005.

#4 Monday was also another brutal day for the NFL as 47 players were put on the Covid 19 list a record for one day since the pandemic began in 2020. Some of the 47 keynote players in the Covid 19 quarantine are Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

#5 New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will be out for the rest of the season with a sprained neck injury. According the Giants head coach Joe Judge doctor recommended that Jones sit out the remaining three games this season after scans showed the extent of Jones’ neck injuries.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Eagles split series in 5-0 shutout win over Barracuda

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A short handed San Jose Barracuda hockey club suffered a shutout loss to the Colorado Eagles at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland on Wed Dec 22, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Covid-19 was the sixth man for the Colorado Eagles.

They took advantage of a San Jose Barracuda lineup without its offensive stars in a 5-0 shutout victory on Wednesday evening at the Budweiser Events Center.

It was a rough going for ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer who was dealt a depleted lineup with Jasper Weatherby, Nick Cicek and Evander Kane out as they were placed on the Covid-19 protocols. Adam Raska was out with an upper body injury and so was Joachim Blichfeld.

San Jose had its two-game winning streak end. Colorado snapped its four-game losing streak.

The opening frame featured a scoreless period with each team getting two power play chances but neither team was able to cash in on both opportunities with the mad advantage. Both ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk and Eagles goalie Justus Annunen held down the fort for their respective teams in the first period.

The Eagles outshot the Barracuda 10-9 in the opening 20 minutes.

Colorado (10-11-2-2) drew first blood on the power play to start out the second period as their opportunity carried over from the first period. Rob Hamilton found Dylan Sikura open in the left slot and Sikura lasered in a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his eighth goal of the season at the :41 mark.

The Eagles doubled its lead under five minutes later. Sikura led an odd man rush into the ‘Cuda zone. His shot was saved by Melnichuk, but the rebound leaked out to a wide-open Jean-Luc Foudy who tapped home the puck into an open net for his third goal of the season at the 5:53 mark.

Colorado scored its third unanswered goal thanks to a ‘Cuda turnover inside its own zone. Andreas Englund intercepted a clearing attempt. He found Sampo Ranta in between the faceoff circles and wired a wrist shot top shelf for his third goal of the season at the 11:27 mark.

San Jose (10-12-1-0) were dominated in the middle frame by Colorado as they were outshot 16-6 by the Eagles.

Colorado put the game away with a five-on-three power play goal halfway through the third period. Martin Kaut scored his sixth goal of the season at the 9:45 mark.

Alex Beaucage completed the scoring under two minutes later when he scored his third goal of the season at the 11:22 mark.

Annunen finished the game stopping all 22 shots he faced to earn the shutout victory. Melnichuk made 31 saves on 36 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-8.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Annunen 2) Sikura 3) Kaut

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return home to host the Bakersfield Condors on Monday 12/27 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Cardinal take 66-63 win over Wyoming in Hawaii tourney

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Wyoming Cowboys guard Kenny Foster (22) and Stanford Cardinal forward Brandon Angel (23) battle for the basketball at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu on Wed Dec 22, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Despite a late scare from Wyoming, Stanford held on and edged the Cowboys 66-63 Wednesday in the opening round of the Diamond Head Classic men’s basketball holiday tournament at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

The Cardinal (7-4) play Liberty in Thursday’s second round, while Wyoming (9-2) faces Northern Iowa in the consolation bracket.

Jaiden Delaire led Stanford with 17 points, and Spencer Jones tossed in 15. Michael O’Connell added nine points and five assists. Delaire and Harrison Ingram each had seven rebounds.

Graham Ike netted a game-high 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Wyoming, accounting for his fifth double-double of the season. Hunter Maldonado scored 18 points and Xavier DuSell added 13 for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys led briefly in the second half after forging a 7-0 run. A basket by Spencer Jones put the Cardinal ahead to stay with six minutes remaining, as he combined with O’Connell to score 11 of Stanford’s final 14 points.

Wyoming had a chance to tie the game with 32 seconds to play, but was unable to complete a three-point play. Later, the Cowboys missed a pair of 3-point attempts with 8.1 seconds to play as time ran out. Stanford, meanwhile, made 2 of 4 free throws in the final 26 seconds.

Neither team shot particularly well. The Cardinal hit 39 percent of their field goal attempts, while Wyoming hit 43 percent. The two teams combined for 9 of 45 behind the arc. Stanford, which outrebounded the Cowboys 41-35, led 35-30 at halftime.

Daniel Dullum is a Stanford Cardinal staff writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com 

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Covid postponements has NHL juggling the schedule

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Adin Hill (33) can’t a glove on Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (not shown) shot that turned out to be a goal. This was the Sharks last game with the Canucks last Thu Dec 16, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose before this week’s games were postponed due to Covid 19 protocols. (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 It’s been frustrating for the San Jose Sharks with the postponement of this week’s games against the Vancouver Canucks (Tuesday) and Edmonton Oilers (Thursday) and Erik Karlsson says he not surprised what is happening.

#2 The Sharks, the NHL were busy trying to sort all the cancelations and the Sharks as it turns out will be off Wednesday through Saturday. The NHL has scheduled two games for Tuesday next week.

#3 Sharks head coach Bob Boughner said that the situation is amazing to see how it’s effecting the world and the NHL is no different. There will be no players headed to the 2022 Olympic in Beijing?

#4 Brent Burns who tested positive will remain out of action and is on Covid 19 protocols quarantine for ten days and must test negative twice before he’s allowed to return. Burns has played in 627 straight games.

#5 The Sharks next game is in Anaheim on Dec 27th is ten days after Burns joined the Covid 19 protocol list. Karlsson says while Burns will be missed it doesn’t change anything. Burns and Tomas Hertl are out for Covid 19 protocols.

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Short turnaround from Sunday as Niners prepare for Thursday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) gets a head start on the Atlanta Falcons cornerback Fabian Moreau (22) at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Dec 19, 2021. The 49ers are in Tennessee for Thursday Night Football Dec 23, 2021 (AP News photo)

#1 The San Francisco 49ers (8-6-0) don’t have much time to exhale after their 31-13 crushing of the Atlanta Falcons (6-8-0) at Levi Stadium last Sunday as they will have a short turnaround and draw down on the Tennessee Titans (9-5-0) on Thursday Night Football.

#2 Talking about last Sunday’s thriller at Levi Stadium the 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo got plenty of time to throw 18-23, 235 yards passing and one touchdown.

#3 The 49ers scored two touchdowns in each of the second and third quarters that help pad the scoring against the Falcons on Sunday a great showing of offense or what they did is the real deal and will be a force against the Titans on Thursday Night Football.

Join David Zizmor each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda bury Eagles 4-1 have won two in a row

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The San Jose Barracuda pick up their second straight win against the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center on Tue Dec 21, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

LOVELAND, Colo. — The San Jose Barracuda’s power play is heating up.

They scored twice on the power play as it was the difference in their 4-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday evening at Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose have won two games in a row and three out of its last four games. They climbed out of the cellar in the Pacific Division with 21 points. Colorado have lost four games in row.

San Jose (10-12-1-0) drew first blood 33 seconds into the first period. Captain Jacob Megna sent in a shot from the left point and Jeffery Viel redirected the puck past Eagles goalie Justus Annunen to the short side for his third goal of the season. Adam Raska received the secondary assist.

Colorado (10-11-2-2) answered back with a power play goal halfway through the opening frame. Rob Hamilton made a quick pass over to Martin Kaut who skated in from the right point and wired a wrist shot through a screened ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 10:54 mark.

The Barracuda regained the lead with a power play goal. Nick Cicek found Sasha Chmeleveski along the right boards. Chmeleveski’s initial shot on goal was saved by Annunen but he cashed in his own rebound for his fifth goal of the season at the 16:27 mark.

Jasper Weatherby, who was sent down to the ‘Cuda by the Sharks as the parent team has had both of their scheduled games this week canceled by the NHL due to ever growing Covid protocols, received the secondary assist as he made his AHL debut.

Despite doubling up on the ‘Cuda on the shot clock 12-6, Colorado found itself trailing by one at the first intermission.

San Jose extended their lead early in the second period with its second power play goal on a five-on-three opportunity. Nick Merkley sent in a shot from between the faceoff circles where Jayden Halbgewachs tipped it past the five-hole of Annunen for his eighth goal of the season at the 5:15 mark.

The ‘Cuda has five power plays goals in their past three games.

Halbgewachs, who made his NHL debut for the Sharks last Thursday, scored in his first game back with the ‘Cuda.

The Barracuda squandered an opportunity to tack on to their lead with five minutes left in the middle frame when Raska drew two penalties on the same shift on Jean-Luc Foudy and Dalton Smith. The Eagles penalty kill led by Annunen kept themselves in the game by not allowing a goal on the full two-minute five-on-three power play.

Viel scored his second goal of the game and fourth of the season with an empty netter from his own defensive zone with 1:06 left in the third period to seal the deal for the Barracuda.

Melnichuk (6-5-1) finished the game stopping 34 of the 35 shots to earn his six victory of the season and has won back-to-back games. Annunen made 22 saves on 25 in the losing effort. He is now 1-4 against ‘Cuda this season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-8 on the power play. Colorado was 1-for-4.

San Jose is 4-0-1 against Colorado this season and are 3-0 at the Budweiser Events Center.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Melnichuk 2) Halbgewachs 3) Kaut

UP NEXT: San Jose and Colorado concludes their two-games series on Wednesday 12/22 at 6:05pm at the Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast: Cuda coming off 3 goal win face Eagles in Colorado tonight

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The San Jose Barracuda face off against the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Arena tonight at 6:05 pm PST (file photo by the San Jose Barracuda file)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, the San Jose Barracuda (9-12-1-0) got the bad taste of losing to the Ontario Reign last Friday out of their mouths with a turnaround win against the San Diego Gulls (9-12-1-0) with a three goal win 4-1 Saturday night.

#2 The win on Saturday was third win for the Barracuda in five games, the Gulls are a tough customer especially when they are on home ice they are 7-1 when leading after 40 minutes.

#3 The Barracuda capitalized on some good offense in the third period which help lead to their victory over the Gulls, the win was San Jose’s fifth third period comeback this season.

#4 Evander Kane who scored the goal ahead and what later was to be the gamer and has an assist, and has eight points in his last four games. Has any NHL teams expressed any interest in Kane or do you see him having any chance at getting back with the Sharks?

#5 The Barracuda are back in Colorado tonight at 6:05 pm against the Eagles the last time the Barracuda and Eagles met the Barracuda picked up a huge five goal win 10-5. San Jose picked a few wins of late talk about their confidence going into Colorado tonight.

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com