Category: AHL

San Jose Barracuda Sunday game wrap: Barracuda drop 4-3 decision to Ontario at SAP Center

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sjbarracuda.com photo: San Jose Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick takes to the icy floor to protect the net against the Ontario Reign on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center
by Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE–The Barracuda welcomed the Reign to the SAP Center for the first time this season. The two rivals gave each other a hard time and fought their way until the very end and in the end it costed San Jose in a one goal 4-3 loss to the Ontario Reign.

Vincent LoVerde drew a cross-checking penalty, giving the Barracuda their first power play of the game.
Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick watched his shutout streak of 248:08 come to an end, as the referees declared what appeared to be a good goal. Teddy Purcell grabbed the puck from behind the net and fired it past Grosenick to put the Reign on the board 1-0 with his third goal of the season at 6:32 of the first period.
But the lead didn’t last long. Joakim Ryan tipped in a blast from the right point to beat Reign goaltender Jack Campbell to tie the game 1-1 at 9:47.
The Barracuda got a second power play when Kurtis MacDermind was called for tripping at 16:24. Just a little over a minute later, San Jose grabbed a 2-1 lead when Adam Helewka took a pass from Tim Heed and put the puck in the net for his fifth goal of the season and second on the power play.

The shots were even at 12, but the Barracuda held a 2-1 lead over the Reign after 20 minutes.

Adrian Kempe buried a Justin Auger rebound to tie the game 2-2 at 5:25 of the second period.
Helewka put home his second power-play goal of the game to put the Barracuda up 3-2 with 3:41 left in the second. Shortly after, Campbell denied Helewka of a hat trick with his left pad.
The Barracuda amassed 19 shots to outshoot the Reign, 31-19. San Jose led 3-2 after 40 minutes.
Brent Sutter jumped on a rebound in the slot and fired it into the net to tie the game 3-3 with 3:14 left in regulation.

The Barracuda outshot the Reign, 42-31, but the game remained in a 3-3 deadlock and went into overtime.

Helewka received his third penalty of the game just 32 seconds into the overtime period. Michael Mersch scored the game-winning goal at 1:07 of overtime to lift the Reign to a 4-3 victory over the Barracuda.
Despite the rough loss, the Barracuda didn’t get discouraged and kept their spirits at a high level.
“I’m just getting the opportunity to play with and around a lot of good players on this team (Barracuda),” Helewka said.
Head coach Roy Sommer thought his team played a pretty good game.
“The power play was good,” Sommer said. “The penalty killing was also good. We just had a couple of 5-on-5 breakdowns that cost us the game…I don’t know what happened there with too many men. It was one of those ones (penalties) where the puck comes up and there was a natural instinct to just grab it.”
Grosenick made 29 saves in a losing effort for San Jose. Campbell finished with 40 saves in an Ontario victory.
The Barracuda return to action Tuesday when they host the Stockton Heat. Game is scheduled for 1:15 pm PST on AHL Live and AM 1220 KDOW.
 
 

San Jose Barracuda Saturday post game wrap: Barracuda blows out Bakersfield in 5-0 shutout at SAP Center

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sjbarracuda.com photo: San Jose Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick picks up another shutout against the visiting Bakersfield Condors at SAP Center on Saturday night in AHL action
SAN JOSE–The Barracuda suited up in their Santa jerseys to create a festive atmosphere. They also hosted their second annual teddy bear toss where fans threw teddy bears on the ice after the first San Jose goal. All teddy bears were donated to benefit the Salvation Army.
Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick quickly got across to make a terrific glove save to keep the game in a scoreless deadlock midway through the first period.
Marcus Sorensen scored his fifth goal of the season to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead with 1:02 seconds left in the first.
The Barracuda killed off three penalties, had a 10-9 shot advantage, and held a 1-0 lead over the Condors after 20 minutes.
The Condors took a penalty when David Musil was called for hooking at 16:14. The Barracuda scored on their first power play chance just 75 seconds later. Adam Helewka collected a rebound from Joakim Ryan and deposited the puck into the net to double the Barracuda lead.
The Barracuda carried a 22-21 shot advantage and a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes.
The Barracuda grabbed a 3-0 lead at 6:11 of the third period when Nikolay Goldobin found himself alone with the puck in the left circle and fired it past Condors goaltender Nick Ellis for his third goal of the season.
Nikita Jevpalovs collected the rebound off Danny O’Regan and jammed the puck into the net to make it 4-0 Barracuda midway through the third.
Jon Martin took advantage of a turnover by Griffin Reinhart to score his first goal of the season, upping the Barracuda lead to 5-0 at 14:15 for an eventual 5-0 shutout win over the Condors.
Grosenick stopped all 32 shots he faced to pick up his third consecutive shutout in San Jose.
Ellis made 28 saves in a losing effort for Bakersfield.
Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer said that he was pleased with his four lines, but will make a few lineup changes because a few guys deserve more ice time.
Adam Helewka revealed a player who has a substantial influence on his style of play.
“A guy who’s been guiding me a lot is [Ryan] Carpenter,” Helewka said. “He’s really strong on the puck and he wins a lot of battles…I like to play around him and watch him control the game.”
The Barracuda head back on the ice Sunday afternoon to host the Ontario Reign at 3:00 pm PST. The game will be broadcasted on AHL Live and AM 1220 KDOW.

San Jose Barracuda Sunday game wrap: Grosenick throws another shutout again 3-0 over San Diego

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sjbarracuda.com photo: San Jose Barracuda goalie Tony Grosenick (31) stopped all 26 shots against the visiting San Diego Gulls at SAP Center on Sunday afternoon
by: Ana Kieu
SAN JOSE–The San Jose Barracuda completed a weekend sweep with a 3-0 shutout win over the San Diego Gulls at SAP Center on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday’s matchup featured Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick and Gulls backup goaltender Kevin Boyle.
San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson was in attendance for the Barracuda game. Wilson had positive things to say about the Barracuda defense and admired the cheerful attitude of the team.
The first period started off slow offensively for both teams. The Gulls had some quality chances on Grosenick, but there was no score with about five minutes left in the first. Boyle saw the puck well, but gave up some juicy rebounds.
Both teams found themselves in a scoreless deadlock after 20 minutes. The Barracuda led the Gulls 16-9 in shots on goal.
Rourke Chartier broke the scoreless tie at 11:58 of the second period by knocking in the rebound of Tim Heed’s shot to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead.
The Barracuda went on their first power play of the game after Gulls forward Nick Tamasky was given a minor penalty for delay of game at 12:25. San Jose took advantage of the precious power play opportunity when Ryan Carpenter went bar down on Boyle to give his team a 2-0 lead at 14:17. Mirco Mueller and Julius Bergman collected the assists on Carpenter’s third goal of the season.
The Barracuda outshot the Gulls 30-17 and led 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Timo Meier received a slick pass from Danny O’Regan and fired the puck into the net for his ninth goal of the season. The Barracuda took a 3-0 lead at 7:09.
The Barracuda had this game from start to finish with a 3-0 shutout win over the Gulls.
Grosenick finished with 26 saves in a San Jose victory. Boyle made an impressive 40 saves in a losing effort for San Diego.
“I just try to remain a part of the game as much as I can,” Grosenick said.
Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer was happy for Grosenick.
“Man, he’s good,” Sommer said. “Who would’ve known he would come back and fit in so good? That’s a good sign.”
Sommer also said that he hopes the Barracuda offense will continue to chug along well.
The Barracuda will return to action on Saturday when they host the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 pm PST. You can tune into the game through AHL Live or AM 1220 KDOW.
    

San Jose Barracuda Saturday game wrap: Grosenick stops 15 shots to get shutout over the Gulls 3-0

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sjbarracuda photo: San Jose Barracuda  goaltender Tony Grosenick (1) picked up a shutout against the San Diego Gulls Saturday night at SAP Center in San Jose.
by:Ana Kieu
SAN JOSE–After recently hitting rock-bottom with a hapless 4-0 loss to the Stockton Heat, the San Jose Barracuda recuperated with a 3-0 win over the San Diego Gulls at SAP Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Barracuda hosted the Gulls for the first time in the 2016-17 season on Saturday. The last time these two teams played, San Diego shutout San Jose 4-0 at Valley View Casino Center.
The Barracuda had a lot of shot opportunities that they did not finish. They led the Gulls 10-2 in shots on goal. The silver lining was that San Jose held San Diego to just two shots to tie the franchise record for fewest shots in a period since Nov. 25, 2015 against the Charlotte Checkers.
The game was scoreless after 20 minutes, but the fourth line of Alex Gallant, Nikita Jevpalovs and Joakim Ryan had an excellent shift midway through the first period. Jonathan Martin had a good tip that was fought off by Gulls goalie Dustin Tokarski.
Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick denied the Gulls of a potential goal at the left post midway through the second period. Grosenick then took a bench minor penalty to give the Gulls their second power play of the game.
Shortly after the Grosenick delay of game penalty, Tim Heed unloaded a blast from the point to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead with 3:48 left in the second period with his sixth goal of the season.
The Barracuda led 1-0, outshooting the Gulls 19-11 in the second period.
The Gulls went on their third power play of the game after Barclay Goodrow was called for tripping at 11:46. San Diego finally got a goal, but it was waived off when a replay review showed Corey Tropp batting the puck in with a high stick.
Goodrow made it 2-0 Barracuda with his eighth goal of the season. Goodrow is now tied with Meier for the AHL lead with eight goals.
The Barracuda went on their first power play of the game after Ryan Garbutt was called for holding the stick at 16:55.
The Barracuda took an early lead and never looked back as they shutout the Gulls 3-0 at home.
Grosenick finished with 15 saves in a San Jose victory. Tokarski made 31 saves in a losing effort for San Diego.
Grosenick felt great in his performance following his lower-body injury on Nov. 22. Grosenick also added that the Barracuda was a team that continues to learn in order to progress.
Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer expressed positive views of his team.
Sommer said the Barracuda defense was solid and mentioned that the penalty kill made a difference in the Saturday matinee.
“I thought everyone was good,” Sommer said. “But the fourth line of Gallant, Jevpalovs and Martin had some good looks and zone time…I thought they were decent on the wall because they got some bangs (hits).”
The Barracuda and Gulls will meet again on Sunday. Game is scheduled for 3:00 pm PST on AHL Live and AM 1220 KDOW

Too Much of “Own Kool-Aid” Hurts Barracuda Effort in 4-0 Loss to Stockton

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sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda spent all night chasing the Stockton Heat around for the puck and got shutout for their efforts on Thursday night at SAP Center in San Jose

By Mathew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda fell to Northern California rivals the Stockton Heat 4-0 Thursday night at the SAP Center after Stockton opened the game with a three-goal first period. Heat netminder Jon Gillies made 31 saves to shut out the Barracuda while Mark Jankowski (1g, 1a) picked up a two-point night for Pacific Division leader Stockton (13-5-1-1).  The regulation defeat was the first for San Jose (8-6-03) in five games.

“Our compete level stunk in the first,” said Barracuda coach Roy Sommer. “We drank the Kool-aid on everyone telling us how good we are. We forgot that the team coming in here is 7-2-1 in their last ten.”

Mantas Armalis started in net for the Barracuda but was chased after just 20 minutes, surrendering three goals on 17 shots.

“It didn’t work for all of us in the first period,” said Armalis. “I think we got distracted from what we had to do by all these small things that were going wrong.”

Troy Grosenick, making his first appearance since exiting the Barracuda’s November 22nd loss to Bakersfield with a right leg injury, held Stockton scoreless over his two period, making 24 saves.

“I’ve been practicing for about a week now,” said Grosenick. “I felt pretty normal. Any time you come in like that you want to feel the puck as much as possible to start.”

“I thought the brightest spot in the whole game was Grosenick,” said Sommer. “I thought he came in and had a couple tough shots early in the second. He stood his ground.”

The Heat scored 3:34 into the game with Austin Carroll netting his first goal of the season in controversial fashion. The puck appeared to hit the netting, meaning the play should have been called dead. Barracuda coach Roy Sommer was given a game misconduct after arguing the call with the officials.

“I think everyone in the building saw it but the four guys on the ice,” said Sommer. “We had eight eyes on it and they missed it. Maybe I said one too many ‘F offs’.”

They added a pair late in the period with Jankowski scoring unassisted with 4:17 left in the period. A turnover on the blue line led to Hunter Smith goal just 45 seconds later for a 3-0 lead.

San Jose tried to counter, but ultimately were outshot by a slim 11-9 margin in the 2nd period. The Barracuda held an 11-9 shot advantage halfway through the third, but finished with a 12-12 draw for a final total of 41-31 Stockton. The heat added an empty net goal with 37 seconds left on Hunter Shinkaruk’s goal.

One encouraging sign for Sharks fans looking to alleviate the recent scoring depth slump was the performance of Timo Meier. Despite not scoring, the Swiss forward still fired 9 shots on goal. The 20-year-old also avoided the penalty box, the most concerning aspect of his game after racking up 22 penalty minutes over his 14 games this year. The Sharks have failed to score 3-plus goals in 5 of their last 7 games despite amassing a 5-2 record over that stretch.

Last season the Barracuda dominated the Heat going 9-1-1-1 including a perfect record at home. This year, Stockton holds the advantage now 2-0 with 10 games left on the schedule.

“It’s a way better team,” said Sommer of this iteration of the Heat. “They’re structured. That’s the best team we’ve played so far without a doubt.”

For now, the Barracuda turn their attention to the San Diego Gulls for a pair of home games. After that, San Jose will host another four straight home games as part of the longest home stand of the season.

“We’ve got a big home stand ahead of us,” said Sommer. “We screw up in this home stand, we’re not going to get in the playoffs. That’s what you’re playing for right now and you’re playing two of the best teams in the Division. If you have that same start against San Diego you’re going to be asking me the same questions Saturday afternoon.”

Armalis’ shutout leads Barracuda past Rampage 4-0

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photo by sjbarracuda: San Jose Barracuda goaltender Martin Armalis is swarmed and congratulated by his teammates after shutting out the San Antonio Rampage at AT&T Center in downtown San Antonio on Sunday afternoon

By: Eric He

Mantas Armalis recorded 29 saves and Timo Meier scored two goals as the San Jose Barracuda shut out the San Antonio Rampage on Sunday night in a 4-0 road win.

Armalis, the rookie goaltender, moves to 5-1-0-1 in his AHL career after his first shutout.

The Barracuda score two late goals in the first period to take control of the game. Tim Heed fired a one-timer past Rampage goaltender Spencer Martin and Timo Meier scored on a wrist shot minutes later. Both were power play goals that gave San Jose a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

Meier netted his second goal of the game in the second period, taking a feed from Kevin Labanc and whistling a one-timer into the net from the right side.

John McCarthy added a goal midway through the third period to close out matters.

The Barracuda stopped all four of the Rampage’s power plays. They put 33 shots on goal on Martin, who lost his first career game to San Jose.

After falling in a shootout to the Rampage last night, the Barracuda walk away from San Antonio with a loss and a win. They have a few days off before playing Stockton at home on Thursday.

San Jose Barracuda Saturday post game wrap: Rampage Bourke gets shootout goal to defeat Barracuda 4-3

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photo by sjbarracuda: San Jose Barracuda and San Antonio Rampage face off Saturday night at the AT&T Center in downtown San Antonio
by Ana Kieu
The Barracuda brought a two-game winning streak into the matchup with the Rampage. The last time these two teams met, San Jose shutout San Antonio 4-0 at AT&T Center on Nov. 15. That was all different this time around as the Rampage who had home ice won the Saturday night contest 4-3 in a shootout at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Barracuda fans were greeted with good news because the kid line of Nikolay Goldobin, Rourke Chartier and Kevin Labanc reunited. The San Jose Sharks reassigned Labanc and Ryan Carpenter to the Barracuda this morning.
Meanwhile, the Rampage remain the cellar dweller in the Pacific Division. San Antonio picked up a point in a 4-3 overtime loss at home against the Texas Stars, but in the second game, they were handed their third loss of the season in a 3-0 shutout.
Timo Meier made a slick behind-the-back pass to Danny O’Regan that was stopped, but John McCarthy cleaned up the garbage and banked a puck from behind the net to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead at 8:11.
Rampage forward Mike Sislo was then given a minor penalty for tripping. The Barracuda received their first power play of the night. San Antonio responded when Julien Nantel beat Barracuda goalie Mantas Armalis with an unassisted short-handed goal on a 2-on-1. The score was even at 1-1 midway through the first.
After Nantel’s second goal of the year, fans threw teddy bears onto the ice. All of the teddy bears were donated to the children at the Family Violence Prevention Services program.
The Colorado Avalanche reassigned forwards Gabriel Bourque and Sam Henley to the Rampage yesterday. Bourque’s third goal of the year put his team up 2-1 with 1:45 left in the first.
The Barracuda got the first goal and outshot the Rampage 13-6 but trailed 2-1 after one period.
The violence increased in the second period.
It all started when Dan Kelly dropped the gloves with Rampage forward Trent Vogelhuber. Shortly after, Vogelhuber drew a high-sticking penalty with a brutal hit on Colin Blackwell, who had to be taken off the ice in what looked like a concussion. Kelly and Vogelhuber were assessed roughing penalties. 64 seconds later, Anton Lindholm was called for holding.
The Barracuda had some really good chances with 17 shots in the second. They outshot the Rampage 30-11. However, San Antonio continued to hold a 2-1 lead over San Jose after two periods.
The Barracuda had a successful penalty kill. Labanc was called for slashing and the Rampage went on their first power play of the night but were unable to capitalize.
Joe Whitney was called for cross-checking midway through the third. Timo Meier beat Rampage goalie Spencer Martin with a backhand for a power-play goal at 12:04. The game was tied at two apiece.
Meier’s second goal of the game to give the Barracuda a 3-2 lead at 17:35.
But the lead was short-lived as Whitney responded with his fourth goal of the season just one minute later. The game remained in a 3-3 deadlock, which led to overtime.
The game was ultimately decided by a seven-round shootout. Troy Bourke scored the game-winning goal to lift the Rampage to a 4-3 win over the Barracuda.
Martin made 41 saves in a San Antonio victory. Armalis made 21 saves in a losing effort for San Jose.
The Barracuda play the second of back-to-back games against the Rampage tomorrow. Game is scheduled for 3:00 pm CST on AHL Live and AM 1220 KDOW.
 
 

Barracuda beat Reign on the road again 5-2

Published on by Eric HeLeave a comment

By: Eric He

sjbarracuda.com photo: Members of the San Jose Barracuda sit waiting for the start of Saturday night’s game against the Reign in Ontario

Last month, Mantas Armalis made his first career AHL start with the Barracuda against the Ontario Reign on the road and struggled, earning less-than-favorable reviews from his coach, Roy Sommer.

Perhaps the feedback will be a little more positive this time around. Armalis made 22 saves in Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Reign at Citizens’ Bank Arena a night after notching another win in a 31-save performance.

Armalis’ back-to-back wins is his first such streak of the season. The Barracuda, meanwhile, rode a pair of two-goal performances from Adam Helewka and Tim Heed to victory.

San Jose scored twice in the second period to take a 3-1 lead. With the score even 1-1, Helewka converted on the power play. Midway through the period, Danny O’Regan extended the advantage, cleaning up a rebound in front.

Heed notched his second goal to give San Jose a 4-1 lead in the third, tipping a shot from O’Regan into the net. After a quick response by Ontario, Helewka recorded his second score of the game, converting a 2-on-1 scoring chance off a pass from Rourke Chartier.

The teams each scored a goal in the first period. Sam Herr scored for the Reign early in the game, but Heed answered with a booming shot from the point on the power play.

San Jose finished 2-of-4 on the man advantage and also outshot Ontario 28-24.

The Barracuda now have a week off before playing two games on the road against the San Antonio Rampage on Dec. 3 and 4.

Goodrow Yo-yo’s Way into Game-Winner in 4-1 Barracuda Win

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

sjbarracuda.com photo: The Bakersfield Condors right winger Patrick Russell (36) and the San Jose Barracuda center Rourke Chartier face off in Friday’s night’s contest on Star Wars night at SAP Center

SAN JOSE, Calif. –San Jose (that’s Sharks AND Barracuda today) forward Barclay Goodrow had a whirlwind of a Black Friday. The right winger awoke from his Thanksgiving food coma to the news of a call-up from the AHL club to the NHL squad for an afternoon tilt against the New York Islanders. Goodrow took the ice for pregame skate with the Sharks, but didn’t crack the line-up and, in fact, didn’t crack the roster past one period.

“I had warmed up, then after warm-ups they told me I was playing here tonight,” said Goodrow. “My legs felt great because I had warmed up earlier.”

During the Sharks matinee, Goodrow was reassigned to the Barracuda, in plenty of time to play in their 6 pm contest against the Bakersfield Condors (6-8-0-0). Luckily for the Barracuda, the 23-year-old was ready to play, scoring the game winner in a 4-1 Barracuda victory. Colin Blackwell also scored for San Jose (6-5-0-2) while netminder Mantas Armalis made 31 saves to avenge a 3-1 loss on the road to the Condors Tuesday night in which Armalis relieved an injured Troy Grosenick in net.

“That’s the thing,” said Colin Blackwell. “One guy goes down, somebody else has to step up. Offense, defense, different guys cycle into the lineup. That’s our mentality. He had a great game tonight.”

“I guess I like playing here,” said Armalis with a chuckle.

Timo Meier had a goal and an assist for a two-point night for San Jose.

The Condors opened the scoring first with defenseman David Musil lighting the lamp 8:59 into the game on the power play. The Barracuda would go on the man advantage once in the period, but could not beat Laurent Brossoit between the pipes.

The Barracuda tied the contest 9:48 into the second period after Colin Blackwell potted his first professional goal. The Harvard-man-turned-Barracuda-rookie skated down the right wing, flipping the puck over Brossoit’s glove for his third point of the season. Fellow Harvard alum Patrick McNally and Nikita Jevpalovs assisted on the goal to put San Jose ahead 2-1.

“I had a shot last minute,” said Blackwell. “I was lucky. It went through his armpit.”

The Barracuda took the lead 1:47 into the third period after Barclay Goodrow tipped a Julius Bergman point shot past Brossoit for his seventh point of the season. Mirco Mueller also picked up an assist.

Another player with a recent, brief stint in the NHL lit the lamp for the Barracuda in the third. Danny O’Regan, just four days removed from making his NHL debut in a 4-0 Sharks win against New Jersey Monday, beat Brossoit on a backhanded dangle in the low slot with 6:55 left in regulation. O’Regan received a perfect backhand pass from Timo Meier along the boards to pick up his sixth goal of the year and a 3-1 Barracuda lead.

“Honestly, I kind of blacked out on that one,” said O’Regan when asked to describe his goal. “My linemates did a great job on the rush, driving to the net. Timo (Meier) was able to find me in the slot and I was able to corral the puck. I picked my head up and saw the defender went down. I was able to move around him and get close to the net then I got a little puck luck.”

Meier added an empty-netter with 48.8 seconds to seal the win for his second point of the game. San Jose won’t get to enjoy home ice for too long. After just their first game at home since November 6th, a stretch that saw the Barracuda go  2-3-0-1, they’ll face the Ontario Reign Saturday night in the Inland Empire. After Tommy Wingels suffered an injury, one of the Barracuda could find themselves in the Sharks lineup tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks.

“You have to always bring your game,” said Goodrow. “If you’re playing well enough, you’ll get recognized. Just try to play your game.”

 

Stanford holds off Colo. St 56-49 Cardinal now 4-0

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By Jeremy Harness

AP photo: Colorado State Rams guard Prentiss Nixon (11) takes a jump shot over the Stanford Cardinal defender during Sunday night’s action at Maples Pavilion

STANFORD – The task was made a little harder than it needed to be down the stretch, but the Stanford basketball team got the job done nonetheless.

The Cardinal are off to a nice start to this season, and they kept that momentum up with a 56-49 win over Colorado State at Maples Pavilion Sunday afternoon.

Shooting guard Dorian Pickens led the Cardinal (4-0) with 17 points, an outing that was sparked by a magnificent first half that saw him score 14 of those points while hitting all four of his 3-point attempts. He also added six rebounds and a pair of assists.

Meanwhile, forward Reid Travis, who has been a notoriously-bad foul shooter, showed some signs of turning that around this young season. He nailed both of his free-throw attempts in the first half on Sunday, but he struggled in the second half, going 3-for-8 the rest of the way.

He was the only other Stanford player besides Pickens to score in double figures on Sunday, as he finished the day with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbed five rebounds in the process.

The defense set the tone from the early going, forcing the Rams into 11 turnovers while committing only six of their own.

Backup point guard Robert Cartwright did not have a great day shooting the ball on Sunday, making only four of his 10 shots for nine points, but he did hand out six assists to lead the team.

The Cardinal took a 35-23 lead into the locker room with them at halftime. However, they did get a little sloppy with the ball in the second half, committing 14 turnovers in that timeframe, and that allowed Colorado State the opportunity to crawl back into the game.

The Rams narrowed the deficit to six points on a number of occasions, the last time coming on a free throw my Prentiss Nixon with 3:20 remaining. However, they could not get any closer, as Stanford’s defense held off Colorado State.

Nixon, meanwhile, led the Rams with 15 points despite shooting 3-for-11 from the field. He did get to the foul line often, however, as seven of his points came from the free-throw line.

The Cardinal will now take a nice road trip for the Advocare Invitational in Orlando, a tournament that starts Thanksgiving Day and a matchup with Miami.

Following that tournament, Stanford comes back home to Maples to take on Saint Mary’s on Nov. 30 for their annual showdown, which took place at McKeon Pavilion last season, before they travel to Kansas to take on the Jayhawks, whom they knocked out of the NCAA Tournament two years ago and will undoubtedly seek revenge.