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Sharks Fall 4-3 to Wild, Kaprizov Hat Trick

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The Minnesota Wild’s left wing Kirill Kapizov (97) gets control of the puck against the San Jose Sharks defenseman Jan Rutta (84) in first period action at the Target Center in St Paul MN on Sun Mar 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Frederick Gaudreau and Kirill Kaprizov scored for the Wild, with Kaprizov earning a hat trick. Filip Gustavsson made 12 saves for the win. Mikael Granlund, Nico Sturm and Anthony Duclair scored for the Sharks.

Kaapo Kahkonen made 28 saves in the loss. This was the Sharks’ first game with three unassisted goals since 2000. It was also their seventh loss in a row.

After the game, Sharks forward Nico Sturm talked about the challenge of playing back to back games. In this case, the team had travel and less than 24 hours between games. Sturm said: “I thought for the most part we played well today because we managed the game cause we knew we weren’t at our best energy-wise today.”

He acknowledged that they took too many penalties and were not as sharp as they could have been, but said: “It’s frustrating because I thought this was an extremely good road trip by our team and, the way we played the last two games, I’m proud of the boys with the adversity that we faced and how we showed up.”

Sharks Head Coach David Quinn had a similar take on the game:

“Well, when you don’t have it, you gotta find a way to hang around. I thought that’s what we did. We hung around, we battled. I thought our third period was probably our best period of the night. I thought we kind of got ourselves together, spent a little bit more time in the o-zone.”

Quinn recognized that one player stood out on Sunday: “They got Kaprizov and we don’t. I mean that really was the difference in the game tonight. He scores goals that a lot of guys can’t score in this league.”

In a scoreless first period, the Sharks were outshot 11-3 and had one penalty to kill. The second period saw more success for both teams. The Sharks scored first, 1:41 into the period. Mikael Granlund scored a power play goal with a wrist shot from the outside of the faceoff circle.

Nico Sturm made it 2-0 with a short handed goal at 4:56. Picking up a missed pass along the boards in the defensive zone, Sturm went the other way two-on-one with Ryan Carpenter before taking the shot.

The Wild cut the lead to 2-1 at 5:46 with a power play goal. Declan Chisolm had the puck but lost it above the faceoff circle. He had to scramble to get it back and passed it to Frederick Gaudreau. Gaudreau took a quick shot into traffic for his fourth of the season. Assists went to Chisolm and Jonas Brodin.

Kirill Kaprizov tied the game at 7:01. Mason Shaw made a pass from low in the defensive zone to the sharks’ blue line, where Kaprizov was waiting. Kaprizov was able to skate in unopposed and beat Kahkonen with a snap shot. An assist went to Shaw.

The Sharks took a 3-2 lead 23 seconds into the third period. Anthony Duclair intercepted a pass along the Sharks blue line and took the puck the other way to score his 14th of the season with a wrist shot.

Kirill Kaprizov scored his second of the night at 2:38. Matt Boldy got control of the puck after the Sharks lost it in their zone. Boldy made a long pass from low in the faceoff circle to Kaprizov in the slot. Kaprizov did not hesitate and sent the puck at the net before Kahkonen could get across.

Kaprizov completed his hat trick to give the Wild the lead at 15:59. After the puck emerged from a scramble in front of the net, Kaprizov had it in the clear and had some traffic to screen Kahkonen. Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy got the assists.

The Sharks ended the game with a power play but could not tie it up again. The Wild outshot the Sharks 32-15 in the game. The faceoff circle was kinder to the Sharks than on Saturday, with the Sharks winning 44.2% of the draws.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday back in San Jose at 7:30 PM PT against the visiting Dallas Stars.

Galaxy counter attack takes down Earthquakes 3-1 in home opener

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Los Angeles Galaxy forwards Riqui Puig (#10) and Dejan Joveljic (#9) celebrate a goal scored by Puig as San Jose Earthquakes fullback Tanner Beason (#15) watches on during a 3-1 win at Pay Pal Park on Saturday MAR 2, 2024. (Los Angeles Galaxy)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Los Angeles Galaxy scored three unanswered goals in a dominate 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the 99th installment of the California Classico on Saturday evening in front of a sold-out crowd at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has started the season losing their first two matches and have lost their home opener in two of the last three seasons. Los Angeles earned their first win of the season after a 1-1 draw against Leo Messi and Inter Miami last week in its season opener.

Los Angeles (1-0-1) drew first blood in the 18th minute. Mark Delgado centered the ball from the right wing over to Joseph Paintsil who beat ‘Quakes goalie Daniel with a left footed shot for his first goal of the season.

“It’s a derby, and we didn’t play with enough pride, physicality, or energy,” said ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez regarding his team’s disappointing performance. “We are just really disappointed. If you don’t focus on the future, you can’t control the past, which is about how people respond. I do believe in our group.”

The Galaxy doubled its lead just before halftime. This time it was Paintsil leading the counterattack. Paintsil centered the ball over to Dejan Joveljic who chipped in the ball into an empty net for his team leading second goal of the season in the 43rd minute.

The Galaxy carried the momentum the established in the first half immediately to start the second half. Diego Fagundez led a counterattack down the right sideline. Fagundez found Joveljic inside the box and the Bosnian attacker crossed the ball back into the middle where Riqui Puig blasted the ball into an empty net for his first goal of the season and LA’s third unanswered in the 48th minute.

“It wasn’t our night. We had the opportunity to get the next goal. Giving up that (third) goal was a killer. Sometimes you can regroup; we didn’t execute,” Gonzalez said.

Defenseman Bruno Wilson made his ‘Quakes debut as substitute in the 55th minute. Preston Judd also came off the bench in the 55th minute marking his second appearance in a ‘Quakes kit.

San Jose (0-2) finally broke through on the scoreboard in the 70th minute. Cristian Espinoza centered the ball into the middle of the box. The ball bounced off Martin Caceres up into the air where Judd beat Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy with a right footed shot for his first goal in a Quakes uniform against his former team.

“It was right place, right time. I was there to finish it in. As a forward my job is to try to score goals and at that point, I just needed to bring energy out there on the field. Any bit of energy helps team morale. … I’m looking forward to playing this system and moving forward. I’m looking forward to the next Clásico. There’s a lot of history in these and hopefully next time I get the game-winning goal instead of the consolation goal,” Judd said.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with 10 corner kicks. Los Angeles had two.

San Jose now holds a 28-38-17 all-time record against LA, including an 18-15-11 record at home.

The match was the first time San Jose had hosted Los Angeles in its home opener.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday 3/9 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Fagemo’s hat trick dooms Barracuda in 8-2 win

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Ontario Reign forward Nikita Pavlychev looks to set a screen in the crease while San Jose Barracuda goalie Georgi Romanov looks on at Toyota Arena on Tuesday FEB 27, 2024. (Ontario Reign)

by Marko Ukalovic

Samuel Fagemo is an official ‘Cuda killer.

The Ontario Reign forward recorded a hat trick as his team routed the San Jose Barracuda 8-2 on Tuesday evening at Toyota Arena.

San Jose has lost four games in a row as they anchor the bottom of the Pacific Division. Ontario has won three games in a row as it gained sole possession of sixth place in the division with 58 points.

Ontario (26-19-3-3) drew first blood in the first two minutes of the opening period with an even strength goal. A giveaway by San Jose inside its own zone led to Samuel Helenius finding Nikita Pavlychev who buried a quick wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his first goal in 21 games at the 2:13 mark.

The Reign doubled its lead on the power play just over five minutes later. Martin Chromiak centered a back door pass off the skate of Francesco Pinelli, who was all alone to the right of the crease, for his sixth goal of the season at the 7:48 mark.

Sam Fagemo scored Ontario’s third unanswered goal in the opening frame with 49 seconds left. A missed odd-man rush for San Jose (17-26-8-1) led to a breakaway opportunity the other way for Fagemo who beat Romanov with a wrist shot for his team leading 26th goal of the season.

The Barracuda out shot Ontario 8-7 but could not a get a puck past Reign rookie goalie Erik Portillo. ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy pulled Romanov at the end of the period and inserted Magnus Chrona to start the second period. Romanov (6-7-5) gave up three goals on just seven shots.

San Jose got on the board with an even strength goal early the middle frame. Oscar Lindblom found Jack Studnicka with a cross ice pass. Studnicka made a fore-hand to backhand move to beat Portillo through the five-hole for his sixth goal of the season at the 2:43 mark.

The Lindblom-Studnicka connection hooked up once again this time on the power play. Lindblom found Studnicka in front of the net and Studnicka batted in his own rebound past Portillo for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at the 5:15 mark.

Joe Hicketts found himself at the right place at the right time to give Ontario another two-goal lead. Hicketts picked up a rebound from behind the net and wrapped around the puck into an empty net for his first goal in a Reign uniform. It was his first goal in 16 games.

The Reign regained their three-goal late in the period on the power play. T.J. Tynan sent a cross ice pass over to Fagemo who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his AHL leading 13th power play goal and 27th of the season at the 18:26 mark.

Charles Hudon scored the Reign’s third power play goal of the game with six seconds left in the second period. Hicketts set up Hudon who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his 18th goal of the season.

Kevin Connauton scored an empty netter from his own blue line for his second goal of the season at the 9:17 mark when the ‘Cuda pulled Chrona for an extra attacker.

Fagemo completed his trick when Tynan set him up for a one-timer at the 14:27 mark. Fagemo has two hat tricks against San Jose this season and has 11 goals in six games against the ‘Cuda.

Portillo (15-8-3-2) finished the game stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced to earn his 15th victory of the season. Chrona made 19 saves on 23 shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Ontario went 2-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Fagemo 2) Tynan 3) Pavlychev.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game road trip down in the desert when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 2/28 at Acrisure Arena at 7:00pm.

Seal the deal: FC Dallas’ Sealy boots late goal to edge Quakes 2-1 in Frisco TX

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San Jose Earthquakes defender Carlos Akapo (29) and FC Dallas Dante Sealy (11) battle for the futbol at Toyota Stadium in Frisco TX on Sat Feb 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

By William Espy

The San Jose Earthquakes started their new season in Frisco, Texas as they visited FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Last season, the two teams were only separated by two points in the standings, with Dallas finishing 7th in the Western Conference while the Earthquakes came 9th.

The Quakes had one notable change this season, which was easy to see even before kickoff. As part of their 50th-anniversary celebration, they’re wearing red on their kits to honor the original Earthquakes franchise instead of the usual blue.

The Earthquakes started with a 4-3-3 formation a slight change in the lineup from last season due to the departure of Jamiro Monteiro who moved to Gaziantep of the Turkish Super Lig on a free transfer earlier this month, while Dallas was running a 3-5-2.

The Earthquakes got out to an early 1-0 lead when Cristian Espinoza brought the ball into the offensive third of the pitch down the right side and passed it into the box to Jack Skahan who shot the ball but Maarten Paes made a sensational save for Dallas.

Unfortunately for Dallas, Benjamin Kikanovic would get a secondary scoring chance on the rebound, and put it in the back of the net in the sixth minute.

The first card of the game was given to Carlos Gruezo when he pushed a Dallas player in a fairly dangerous position. The shot was deflected wide, and Dallas got another set piece with a corner which they played short and nothing came of it.

Dallas would tie it up in the 25th minute off of another corner opportunity, when Asier Illarramendi had a great touch around the defender in front, and followed it up with a shot that Daniel had no chance to save for the Earthquakes.

Illarramendi had another great scoring chance in the 34th minute, but his header went just wide. San Jose would get a second booking just before halftime when Rodrigues made an unnecessary tackle from behind.

At halftime, it seemed clear that Dallas had outplayed the Earthquakes in nearly every aspect besides the scoreboard. Dallas led in possession, shots, and shots on target, many of which came as the result of set pieces, The expected goals though, much like the scoreboard, were even after 45 minutes.

The second half remained scoreless early, and substitutions started in the 61st minute when Dallas brought Ema Twamusi on and he immediately created a scoring chance for his team. Luchi Gonzalez countered with some substitutions of his own in the 65th minute, bringing on two debuting players Vitor Costa and Preston Judd.

Daniel was forced to make some big saves in the second half to keep his team in the fight, and he could be seen getting frustrated with his defenders in the 72nd minute. Gonzalez made some more substitutions in the 73rd minute, bringing in Amahl Pellegrino and Alfredo Morales onto the pitch.

Despite some quality scoring chances from both teams, we entered the last ten minutes before stoppage time with a 1-1 tie. In the 83rd minute, Nico Estevez made another substitution for Dallas bringing Eugene Ansah into the game. In the 84th, Gonzalez made one more of his own, Michael Baldissimo.

Nkosi Tafari took a hit to the face during play in the 87th minute, and despite protest was forced to leave the pitch with the trainers due to potential concussion concerns. He quickly rejoined play after he was deemed healthy enough to continue.

Four minutes of stoppage time were added as either team looked to score a late go-ahead goal and walk away with three points rather than one. Dante Sealy did just that for Dallas, scoring in the 93rd minute. In the 95th minute, San Jose had one opportunity to equalize but they were unable to convert and Dallas walked away with a 2-1 win, and three points. Although it was a heartbreaking loss for Earthquakes supporters, Dallas deserved the win.

Canucks shoot down Barracuda 5-2 with third period takeover

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San Jose Barracuda forward Thomas Bordeleau (#17) races for the puck alongside Abbotsford Canucks defenseman Nick Cicek (#59) during the Canucks 3-2 win over the Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Saturday FEB 24, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Abbotsford Canucks scored three unanswered goals in the third period for a 5-2 victory to sweep the weekend series on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost three games in a row. Abbotsford has won four games in a row.

Abbotsford (27-17-3-2) drew first blood early in the first period with a power play goal. Sheldon Dries picked the puck out of a scrum along the left boards. Dries poked the puck out to Linus Karlsson, who was wide open in front of the crease, and the left winger slipped the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona for his 12th goal of the season at the 1:38 mark.

The Canucks doubled its lead with a 4-on-4 goal just under five minutes later. Karlsson sent a shot from the left point and Dries redirected the puck past Chrona for his 16th goal of the season at the 6:29 mark.

San Jose (17-25-8-1) responded with a power play goal past the halfway mark of the opening frame. Cole Cassels shot from the left side of the crease was initially stopped by Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs but Thomas Bordeleau crashed the net and cleaned up the rebound for his 11th goal of the season at the 12:12 mark.

A scoreless second period was an entertaining one as the Canucks controlled play in the first half of the middle frame. The Barracuda had the Canucks on their heels in the final three minutes of the period with an extended period of offensive zone time but weren’t able to get a puck past Silovs despite a flurry of shots directed at the Canucks goaltender.

The ‘Cuda scored the equalizer early in the third period with its second power play goal of the game. Jacob Peterson whipped around from behind the net with a backhanded attempt. Scott Sabourin chipped in the rebound for his 13th goal of the season at the 2:14 mark.

Abbotsford regained the lead just over two minutes later thanks to a ‘Cuda turnover inside the Canucks zone. Aatu Raty skated into the Barracuda zone uncontested. Raty’s first shot attempt was block by Nathan Todd, but Raty beat Chrona with a wrist shot on his own rebound for his 11th goal of the season at the 4:36 mark.

Chase Wouters gave the Canucks an insurance goal when he redirected a shot from the point by Alex Kannok Leipert for his eighth goal of the season at the 14:20 mark.

Raty closed out the scoring with his second goal of the game, an empty netter, for his 12th goal of the season with 1:34 remaining in the game.

Silovs (14-10-5-3) finished the game stopping 29 of the 31 shots he faces to earn his 14th victory of the season. Chrona (5-13-4) made 23 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Abbotsford went 1-for-2.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Raty 2) Dries 3 Sabourin.

UP NEXT: San Jose heads out on the road to take on the Ontario Reign on Tuesday 2/27 at 7:00pm at Toyota Arena.

Firebirds upend Barracuda 5-4 remain perfect in San Jose

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San Jose Barracuda forward Kyle Rau (#91) battles for the puck against Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Cameron Hughes (#19) while goalie Chris Driedger (#60) looks on during the contest at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday FEB 21, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — There was no love lost between the two Pacific Division rivals.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds scored twice in the third period to break a 3-3 deadlock en route to a 5-4 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

This was the second time in six days that both teams played each other and the chippiness began during the pre-game warmups as words were exchanged and then to pushing and shoving once the game was underway.

San Jose has lost two out of its past three games with both losses coming against the Firebirds and still have not beat the Seattle Kraken AHL affiliate at home in franchise history (0-6-1). Coachella Valley has points in seven straight games.

Coachella Valley (30-13-4-2) drew first blood early in the first period with a power play goal. Connor Carrick set up Andrew Poturalski along the right wing. Poturalski faked a slapshot before depositing a wrist shot to the far side past ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona for his 11th goal of the season at the 3:28 mark.

The Barracuda looked like they were trying to settle a score or two against the Firebirds, which was a residual effect from last week’s 4-0 loss down in the desert, instead of establishing a forecheck to begin the game. Artem Guryev and John Hayden had a spirited fight off of a faceoff near center ice at the 7:44 mark.

“I think it was a physical game (on) both sides,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy on the game’s extra physicality. “I don’t think it was necessarily something we were looking to bring to the game to that direction. These are huge points that we needed. Unfortunately, I thought we spent a little bit too much time in the penalty box and it bit us in the end.”

The Firebirds doubled their lead with an even strength goal just before the halfway mark of the opening frame. Ryan Winterton found Max McCormick down low in the crease and McCormick’s backhander beat Chrona to the short side for his team leading 24th goal of the season at the 8:04 mark.

San Jose (17-24-8-0) answered back 1:36 later on its second power play of the period. Jacob MacDonald’s shot from the point was cleaned up by Kyle Rau as he slid the puck past Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger near the right side of the crease for his sixth goal of the season at the 9:40 mark.

The Barracuda evened the game early in the second period with an even strength goal. Cole Cassels got the puck over to Nathan Todd in the right slot. Todd then slid a pass out to Scott Sabourin who buried a one-timer into the back of the net for his 12th goal of the season at the 2:21 mark.

San Jose gained its first lead with its second power play goal just over two minutes later. Cassels chipped the puck inside the Firebirds zone. Todd picked up the puck skated in from the right wing and snuck a wrist shot through the five-hole of Driedger for his team leading 16th goal of the season at the 4:41 mark.

The Firebirds scored the equalizer with its second power play goal of the game at the halfway mark of the middle frame. Poturalski sent a cross ice pass over to Logan Morrison along the right slot. Morrison skated in uncontested before beating Chrona to the short side with a wrist shot for his 11th goal of the season at the 9:05 mark.

Morrison regained the lead for the Firebirds early in the third period with his second goal of the game and Coachella Valley’s third power play goal of the game. Kole Lind found Morrison with a backdoor pass through the crease and Morrison tapped home the puck for his 12th goal of the season at the 1:54 mark. Sabourin started the period in the sinbin with a cross-checking penalty at the end of the second period.

“The timing of goals is just as important sometimes as the amount of goals (that are scored). After first look, I gotta look at it (the game) again, after first look, I was happy with our compete,” McCarthy said.

Devin Shore scored an empty net goal at the 18:30 mark for his fifth goal of the season.

San Jose got one back when Jack Studnicka redirected a shot by Ethan Cardwell past Driedger for his fourth goal of the season with 60 seconds remaining in the game.

Driedger (14-6-3-4) finished the game stopping 30 of the 34 shots he faced in to earn his 14th victory of the season. Chrona (5-12-4) made 25 saves on 29 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-7 on the power play. Coachella Valley was 3-for-5.

San Jose’s is 1-8-2-2 all time versus Coachella Valley.

Todd’s three-point game gave him six goals and four assists in his past five games.

Defenseman Jacob MacDonald made his debut the ‘Cuda after clearing waivers earlier in the day. The San Jose Sharks placed MacDonald on waivers back on February 20th.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Morrison 2) Todd 3) Poturalski.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its three-game homestand with a weekend series against the Abbotsford Canucks on Friday 2/23 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Barracuda power play bludgeons Condors in 7-3 win

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Bakersfield Condors forward Drake Caggiula (#9) attempts a shot on goal against San Jose Barracuda goalie Magnus Chrona (#30) during the Barracuda’s 7-3 win at Mechanics Bank Arena on Saturday FEB 17, 2024. (Bakersfield Condors)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda power play was a Saturday night special.

San Jose scored four power play goals, the most they have scored in a game this season, during a 7-3 route of the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday evening at Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose has won three of its past four games after dropping its first two after the All-Star break by scoring the most goals in a road game this season. Bakersfield has lost three out of its last four games.

It was a weird special team’s game,” said Condor’s head coach Colin Chaulk. “We felt like we had a good start but then we got into some penalty trouble, and they converted right away. And from there we were chasing the game.”

San Jose (17-23-8-0) drew first blood with its first power play goal, at the halfway mark of the first period. Thomas Bordeleau centered a pass over to Cole Cassels who buried a one-time past Condors goalie Olivier Rodrigue for his seventh goal of the season at the 10:29 mark. Newly appointed ‘Cuda captain Radim Simek picked up the secondary assist to snap an eight-game pointless streak.

The Barracuda doubled its lead with its second power play goal 69 seconds later. With Raphael Lavoie in the sinbin for roughing, Cassels funneled a pass over to a wide-open Nathan Todd, who slammed home a one-timer for his team leading 15th goal of the season.

Bakersfield (23-16-2-2) cut the deficit in half with a power play goal of their own. Former ‘Cuda forward Lane Pederson split through two Barracuda defenders before centering a pass over to Drake Caggiula who tapped home the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona for his ninth goal of the season at the 17:23 mark.

It only took 20 seconds for San Jose to regain its two-goal lead on its next shift. Greg McKegg giftwrapped the puck over to Scott Sabourin in the neutral zone. Sabourin beat Rodrigue to the short side with a wrist shot on the breakaway for his 11th goal of the season.

San Jose made Bakersfield pay when Markus Niemelainen went to the penalty box for a four-minute high sticking penalty in the second period with two more power play goals. Ethan Cardwell made it 4-1 with his co-team leading 15th goal of the season at the 8:40 mark after getting in all alone on the Condors defense and beat Rodrigue with a quick wrist shot.

Then just under two minutes later Kyle Rau scored his fifth goal of the season at the at the 10:37 mark when he cleaned up the rebound off of a Jacob Peterson shot where the puck was lying in the crease behind Rodrigue. That ended the night for Rodrigue (11-5-4-0) who was replaced by Jack Campbell after giving up five goals on 19 shots.

Caggiula registered his second goal of the game just 17 seconds later after tapping home a centering pass from Ty Tullio. Pederson picked up his second assist on the goal.

San Jose kept pouring it on third period with two even strength goals. Peterson tipped home a centering pass from Rau for his sixth goal of the season at the 7:42 mark.

Anthony Vincent, who was in the lineup for the first time since last October as he replaced the injured Brandon Coe, finished off the scoring for the ‘Cuda with his first career AHL goal when he redirected a shot from the point by Ethan Frisch at the 12:41 mark.

Dino Kambeitz concluded the scoring with his third goal of the season at the 13:19 mark when his shot from a tough angle trickled through the five-hole of Chrona.

Chrona (5-11-4-0) finished the game stopping 34 of the 37 shots he faced to snap a five-game losing streak and earn his fifth victory of the season. Campbell made seven saves on nine shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the game 4-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield went 1-for-7.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Cassels 2) Peterson 3) Rau.

San Jose finished the season series 4-3-1 against Bakersfield.

UP NEXT: San Jose return home to begin a three-game homestand when they host the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 2/21 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Hardman’s OT touchdown gives Chiefs back to back titles with 25-22 win over 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (#97) pursued Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (#15) during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday FEB 11, 2024. (Terrell Lloyd-San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

The quest for six will have to wait another year for the San Francisco 49ers.

Patrick Mahomes threw a three-yard touchdown reception to Mecole Hardman with six seconds remaining in overtime to complete a comeback 25-22 victory for the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday evening at Allegiant Stadium.

Kansas City has won three Super Bowls in the past five years and becomes the seventh team to win back-to-back titles and the first time it’s been done in the past 20 years when the New England Patriots did in 2004 and 2005. San Francisco has lost its second Super Bowl to the Chiefs in the past five years.

San Francisco is left heartbroken and wondering what if during the game in which the jumped out to a 10-0 lead against Kansas City.

A scoreless first quarter and low scoring first half featured fumble losses by both teams. On the 49ers first possession, in which they were driving down the field, running back Christian McCaffery was stripped of the ball Leo Chanel running off tackle. George Karlaftis recovered the ball at the Kansas City 27-yard line.

The 49ers defense kept Kansas City’s offense in check as they pressured Mahomes and didn’t allow him to establish a rhythm early in the game. San Francisco finally broke the deadlock early in the second quarter when rookie kicker Jake Moody kicked a then Super Bowl record 55-yard field 12 seconds into the quarter.

After a 52-yard reception by Hardman to set up the Chiefs at the 49ers nine-yard line, Chiefs running back Isaiah Pacheco had the ball stripped away from him on the next play by Deommodore Lenoir that was recovered by Javon Hargrave.

San Francisco scored the game’s first touchdown late in the first half on a trick play from head coach Kyle Shanahan’s playbook. Jauan Jennings received a pitch out to the left from quarterback Brock Purdy. Jennings then threw the ball back to the right to an open McCaffery who raced in all alone for a 21-yard touchdown reception.

Kansas City drove down the field on its final possession of the first half on a 13 play 65-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker with 20 second left before halftime.

San Francisco’s defense started the second half with its second turnover of the game. On a 3rd and 12 from their own 23-yard line, Mahomes was intercepted by Ji’Ayir Brown at the 44-yard line. However, the 49ers offense went three and out they weren’t able to take advantage of the interception.

Butker made it a 10-6 deficit when he kicked a Super Bowl record 57-yard field goal with 5:03 left in the third quarter.

The 49ers offense was scuffled with three consecutive three and outs as the Chiefs defense started pressuring Purdy and forcing incomplete passes as Shanahan drifted away from the run game in the third quarter.

“I hurt the most for the players I can’t tell you guys how long it takes to get here & how long it takes to get through an NFL season. Our guys I hurt for the most,” Shanahan said.

The momentum of the game turned in Kansas City’s favor when a Tommy Townsend punt went off the heel of Darrell Luter Jr. Punt returner Ray Ray McCloud attempted to pick up the loose ball, but it was recovered by Jaylen Watson at the 49ers 16-yard line.

Mahomes needed just one play to find a wide-open Marquez Valdez-Scantling for a 16-yard touchdown reception to give the Chiefs its first lead of the game 13-10 with 2:28 left in the third quarter.

“If you go and look at the self-inflicted wounds we had, we just beat ourselves,” McCaffery said.

San Francisco answered back on its next drive. Purdy marched the 49ers down the field on a 12 play 75-yard scoring drive that ate up 6:06 off the clock. Purdy connected with Jennings on a slant route where he broke one tackle and went into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown reception. However, Moody’s extra point attempt was blocked by Chanel which proved huge down the stretch.

The 49ers kept that drive alive by going for it on 4th and 3 from the 15-yard line when Purdy found tight end George Kittle for his first reception of the game, a four-yard reception to the right sideline.

Kansas City tied the score with Butker’s third field goal, a 24-yarder with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 49ers then marched down and regained the lead with Moody’s second 50-plus yard field goal, this time from 53 yards with 1:53 remaining in regulation.

That gave Mahomes and company enough to march down the field and have Butker once again tie the game with his fourth field goal of the game, a 29-yarder with three second left in regulation to force only the second Super Bowl ever to go into overtime.

In the overtime session, San Francisco won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Purdy marched them down the field on a methodical 13 play, 66-yard drive that was finished off with a 27-yard field goal by Moody.

“That’s what hurt me… Mahomes is really good and you just don’t want to give them an opportunity to go down & win the game off a touchdown. When I wasn’t able to connect with him (Jennings) it hurt,” Purdy said.

The overtime rules had changed this season in that even if the team who had won the coin toss had scored a touchdown on its possession, the other team would still have received a possession to match before the sudden death rules applied.

At the end the Niners defense which had played its best game of the playoffs ran out of gas as it could not stop the Chiefs offense from scoring the game winning touchdown drive that was 13 plays and 75 yards led by Mahomes.

“They (the defense) played really well, when they needed to play well. (They) gave us plenty of opportunities and we didn’t take advantage of them,” Kittle said on his team’s offensive struggles.

Mahomes, who won his third Super Bowl MVP award, finished the game 34 of 46 for 333 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and was sacked three times. He also led the Chiefs in rushing with 66 yards on nine carries. Pacheco chipped in 59 yards on the ground on 18 carries. Travis Kelce, who only had one reception for one yard in the first half, led all receivers with nine catches for 90 yards.

Purdy finished his first Super Bowl start going 23/38 for 255 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and was sacked once but was pressured most of the second half by Kansas City’s blitz package. McCaffery led the 49ers in both rushing and receiving with 160 all-purpose yards. He had 80 yards rushing on 22 carries and eight receptions for 80 yards.

Deebo Samuel who had injured a hamstring in the second half was limited to just three catches for 33 yards. Kittle was mainly invisible during the game with only two catches for four yards. Jennings chipped in four catches for 42 yards to go along with his touchdown.

Lineback Dre Greenlaw suffered an Achilles injury in the second quarter when he was about to take the field on defense and never returned to the game.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 3-for-12 on third down conversions. Kansas City went 9-for-19.

Jennings became the second player in Super Bowl history (joining Nick Fowles) to throw for a touchdown reception and record a receiving reception in a Super Bowl.

Kansas City had its eight-game playoff streak of scoring on its opening possession snapped when they went three and out on its opening possession.

Former Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders players Jim Plunkett, Fred Biletnikoff and Marcus Allen, all ex Super Bowl MVP’s, lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch before the game.

Todd’s hat trick propels Barracuda 4-2 over Condors 3-2, split weekend series

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San Jose Barracuda forward Nathan Todd skates with the puck past Bakersfield Condors forward Ben Gleason during the Barracuda’s 4-2 win over the Condors at Tech CU Arena on Saturday FEB 10, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Nathan Todd made it rain hats on the ice during ‘Cuda Country Night where a trucker’s hat was the giveaway for the fans in attendance.

Todd scored his first career hat trick which included the game winning goal and the ice sealer as the San Jose Barracuda shot down the Bakersfield Condors 4-2 on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose split the home and home weekend series with its Pacific Division rival. Bakersfield has its three-game winning streak snapped.

Todd’s second goal of his hat trick, which also was the Cuda’s first team hat trick of the season, was the eventual game winning goal with 3:34 remaining in the third period. Brandon Coe centered the puck out in front of the crease from behind the net and Todd tucked home the puck inside the near post for his 12th goal of the season sending hats everywhere on from the announced crowd of 3,986.

San Jose (15-22-8-0) drew first blood past the halfway mark of the first period. Ethan Cardwell set up Jacob Peterson who beat Condors’ goalie Jack Campbell with a backhander through the five-hole for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:43 mark.

Thomas Bordeleau who returned to the lineup after dealing with an illness, recorded the secondary assist on Peterson’s goal.

The Barracuda doubled its lead at the halfway mark of the second period with Todd’s first goal of the contest. Scott Sabourin wrestled the puck away from a Condors defender. Cole Cassles centered the puck over to Todd who buried a one-timer past Campbell for his 11th goal of the season at the 10:03 mark.

Bakersfield (22-14-2-2) cut the lead in half late in the middle frame. Seth Griffith glided down the right wing from the red line and snapped home a wrist shot past the blocker side of ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his 10th goal of the season with 21.8 remaining.

The Condor scored the equalizer a minute into the third period. A turnover in the neutral zone led to a break for Ty Tullio who skated down the right wing and beat Romanov with a wrist shot for his fourth goal of the season at the 1:15 mark.

Todd completed the hat trick with 1:17 left in the game for his 13th goal of the season to seal the deal for the ‘Cuda.

Romanov (5-6-4-0), who made back-to-back starts for the first time this season, finished the game stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his fifth win of the season. Campbell (10-8-0-1) made 33 saves on 36 saves in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Bakersfield went 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Todd 2) Peterson 3) Romanov.

UP NEXT: San Jose takes on the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 2/14 at 7:00pm at Pechanga Arena of San Diego.

Lavoie’s OT heroics give Condors 3-2 win over Barracuda

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Bakersfield Condors goalie Olivier Rodrigue makes a save with his left pad during the second period against the San Jose Barracuda at Mechanics Bank Arena on Friday FEB 9, 2023. (Bakersfield Condors)

by Marko Ukalovic

Rapheal Lavoie scored two goals, including the game winner in overtime as the Bakersfield Condors defeated the San Jose Barracuda 3-2 in overtime on Friday evening at Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last five games and are 0-8 in overtime games this season. Bakersfield has won three games in a row.

Lavoie scored the game winning goal at the 1:31 mark of the extra session with a power play goal after receiving a cross ice pass from Lane Pederson and then burying a wrist shot from the left wing. Cole Cassels was called for hooking 13 seconds into the overtime.

Bakersfield (22-13-2-2) drew first blood early in the first period with a power play goal. Pederson threw the puck out in front of the net and Lavoie fired a point-blank shot past ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his 14th goal of the season at the 5:49 mark. Lavoie leads the Condors with eight power play goals.

San Jose (14-22-8-0) answered back with an even strength goal just past the halfway mark of the opening frame. Oskar Lindblom picked up the puck behind the Condors’ net, spun around and fired wrist shot top shelf to the short side of Condors’ goalie Olivier Rodrigue for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:10 mark. Brandon Coe received the only assist on the play.

The Condors regained the lead with an even strength goal past the halfway mark of the second period. Seth Griffin centered a pass out to Cam Dineen whose one-timer hit off the crossbar. Adam Erne cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the season at the 12:28 mark.

The middle frame served as 20 minutes of frustration for the ‘Cuda. They outshot (19-5) and out chanced the Condors, but Rodrigue made numerous big saves including a point-blank shot from Brent Marek early in the period.

After Rodrigue stopped 36 shots in a row, San Jose broke through late in the third period with an even strength goal. Artem Guryev blasted a slapshot from the point past a screened Rodrigue for his second goal of the season at the 15:27 mark. Nathan Todd and Cassels recorded assists on the equalizing goal.

Rodrigue (10-4-4-0) stood on his head the entire game as he finished with 40 saves on 42 shots to earn his 10th victory of the season. Romanov (4-6-4-0) made 16 saves on 19 shots in the losing effort.

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

Coe returned to the ‘Cuda lineup after a seven-game absence.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Rodrigue 2) Lavoie 3) Erne.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Bakersfield conclude their home and home series on Saturday 2/10 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.