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Wolf is stellar for Wranglers in 1-0 shutout win over Barracuda

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Calgary Wranglers forward Matt Coronato congratulates goalie Dustin Wolf on his team’s 1-0 victory over the San Jose Barracuda at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday NOV 3, 2023. (Calgary Wranglers)

by Marko Ukalovic

Dustin Wolf stopped all 27 shots he faced as he needed was one goal to preserve a Calgary Wranglers 1-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Calgary have won five games in a row and remain unbeaten in regulation. San Jose has dropped six games in a row.

Matt Coronato broke the seal early in the first period with a do-it-yourself goal for Calgary (6-0-1-0). Coronato intercepted a clearing attempt by Henry Thrun at center ice. He skated inside the ‘Cuda zone before firing in a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona for his first goal of the season at the 4:07 mark of the first period. Rory Kerins was credited with the only assist on the play.

A spirited fight between Scott Sabourin and Alex Gallant at the 10:14 mark was the highlight of the opening 20 minutes. Calgary out shot San Jose 11-6 at the first intermission. Wolf stoned Thomas Bordeleau on a breakaway in the period.

San Jose (1-4-3-0) struggled on the power play despite having three opportunities, including a full two-minute five on three advantage to start the middle frame. Wolf and the Wranglers penalty kill held down the fort to keep the Barracuda off the scoreboard.

Calgary survived a late rush from San Jose late in the third period when they pulled Chrona for an extra attacker in the final minute of regulation.

Wolf (5-0-0) recorded his first shutout of the season, his eighth of his AHL career, and second against San Jose. Chrona (0-3-1), who had his strongest game of the young season, made 34 saves on 35 shots in suffering the tough luck loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Calgary was 0-for-4.

Wolf remained undefeated against San Jose as he improved his record to 12-0.

Chrona was called up by the San Jose Sharks after the game and will serve as the backup to Makenzie Blackwood in Saturday’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the SAP Center.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Calgary conclude their two-games series on Sunday at 11:00am at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Bengals dominate in 31-17 win over reeling 49ers

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Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow and Andrei Iosivas celebrate a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday OCT 29, 2023. (Cincinnati Bengals)

by Marko Ukalovic

The sky is not falling in Santa Clara…yet.

Joe Burrow threw for three touchdowns and the Cincinnati Bengals defense created three turnovers in the second half en route to a 31-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.

San Francisco has lost three straight games after beginning the season 5-0. Cincinnati has won three in a row after starting the season 1-3.

It was a long day for the 49ers defense as for the second straight week it was outplayed by the opposing team’s defense. Burrow was 21 of 23 for 170 yards with two touchdowns in the first half. It was the first time he had thrown multiple touchdowns in a first half this season.

Burrow connected with Tyler Boyd for his first touchdown, a seven-yard reception on a fade route to the right side, on its first possession to complete a 10 play 85-yard drive.

San Francisco answered back on its second possession. Running back Christian McCaffery barreled his way in for a two-yard rushing touchdown to complete an eight play 75-yard drive. The big play on the drive was a 31-yard reception by Brandon Aiyuk from Brock Purdy.

McCaffery has a scored a touchdown in 17 consecutive games which tied Lenny Moore, who achieved the same feat from 1963-64 with the Baltimore Colts, for the all-time NFL record.

The Bengals responded with a six play 58-yard scoring drive. Burrow found Andrei Iosivas for a two-yard touchdown reception to give Cincinnati a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Cincinnati had a golden opportunity to go up double-digits just before halftime. However, Celine Ferrell stripped the ball from Irv Smith Jr. after he caught the ball on a screen pass. Isaiah Oliver recovered the ball at the five-yard line with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Purdy used his legs as he was the 49ers leading rusher in first half with 43 yards four carries. Run CMC only had 31 yards on six carries, 16 of those came on the last place of the first half.

Cincinnati opened the second half with a 56-yard field goal from Evan McPherson on a 3:51 drive to go up 17-10. Then both defenses forced punts as they settled in during the third quarter.

It was a nightmare final 15:04 for Purdy as he committed three turnovers, two INT’s and one fumble, that allowed Cincinnati to take control of the game in the fourth quarter. Purdy tried a flip pass intended for Elijah Mithcell at the Bengals four-yard line, but Germaine Pratt deflected the ball to himself for an interception with four seconds left in the third quarter.

The Niners defense held their ground and gave the ball back to Purdy as they forced a three and out on Burrow’s offense. However, Purdy gave the ball back immediately on the next play when his pass over the middle intended for Aiyuk was intercepted by Logan Wilson who returned it to the San Francisco 17-yard line.

Burrow made the 49ers pay on the next play with his third touchdown when he connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 17-yard touchdown reception to give Cincinnati a 24-10 lead. Chase led the Bengals in receiving with 10 catches for 100 yards.

“He made some bad picks there at the end,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan regarding his quarterback’s five interceptions in his last three games. “I thought he was one of the reasons we were in the game today. Some of those throws he made out there were unbelievable. The mistake in the red zone, missing the handoff was the biggest part. And then once you do that, you can’t throw it or you’re going to get the penalty, but worse that he got the pick.”

San Francisco answered back on its next drive when Purdy found McCaffery in the middle of the endzone for a four-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead down to seven.

The 49ers defense could not get the ball back as Burrows led a methodical 10 play 78-yard scoring drive down the field that ate up 5:18. Running back Joe Mixon pranced into the endzone on a five-yard rushing touchdown to ice the game for Cincinnati.

Burrow finished 28 of 32 for 283 yards to go along with his three TD’s and no interceptions. Mixon led all rushers with 87 yards on 16 carries. Tee Higgins chipped in five catches for 69 yards.

Purdy went led the 49ers in rushing with 57 yards on all scrambles out of the pocket. Tight end George Kittle led the 49ers in receiving, as he has a big fourth quarter, with nine catches for 149 yards. McCaffery chipped in with 54 yards on the ground to go along with six catches for 64 yards.

San Francisco heads into the bye week with things to shore up on both sides of the ball.

“I’ll talk to them more tomorrow. But my message was we’ve got to take that. I mean, we didn’t play well. That team beat us straight up. We talked about tackling better, having less penalties. I think we only had five, but in comparison to them, I think it was one. We had some ones in some crucial situations that gave first downs. My bottom line to them was we’ve got to get better in every aspect. The things that disappointed me today were some of the fundamentals of just throwing and catching, tackling and some of those penalties that cost us,” Shanahan said.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 5-for-9 on third down conversions. Cincinnati went 3-for-8.

UP NEXT: San Francisco is on their bye week. They return back to action on Sunday 11/12 on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars at 10:00am at TIAA Bank Field.

Sporting KC outlasts Earthquakes in penalty shootout, advance to play St. Louis

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Sporting Kansas City forward Dániel Sallói celebrates with goalie Tim Melia after beating the San Jose Earthquakes in a shootout victory at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday OCT 25. 2023. (Sporting Kansas City)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Blue Hell continued to be a house of horrors for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Dániel Sallói kicked the winning goal in the shootout to give Sporting Kansas City a Wild Card win after winning the shootout 4-2 after both teams went scoreless for 90 minutes on Wednesday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia improved to 5-0 in penalty kick shootouts as his team will face St. Louis City SC in the best of three first round of the Western Conference playoffs. San Jose went home disappointed after making the playoffs for the first time in three years.

Johnny Russell opened the shootout with a goal. Cristian Espinoza then telegraphed his shot that Melia made a diving save on. Just as Alan Pulido gave the ‘Quakes life when his awkward shot was saved by an outstretched goalkeeper Daniel, captain Jackson Yueill killed any chance for a San Jose win when he overshot the ball high over the net.

Jack Skahan and Carlos Akapo scored for San Jose, but it was not enough as Sallói’s heroics in the fifth round sent the crowd of 17,437 into a frenzied celebration. The Earthquakes suffered a similar fate three years ago on the very same pitch the last time they were in the playoffs that also ended in a shootout loss.

“I thought our intensity was amazing, including our energy, our togetherness, and our work rate. I thought we got into the game eventually, and even in the second half we created good chances and with a few fresh legs coming in. I thought they did great. I thought we were unlucky at the end not to nick a last pass getting into the box. Getting just a different play that I think could have changed the game and put us in the win column in regulation. I am proud of the guys and the staff, and in our approach and our mentality going into the game,” ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said.

Russell was a thorn in San Jose’s side all match long with multiple scoring chances. His best chance came off a free kick in the 79th minute when his shot hit the right post. He also sailed a free kick six feet wide left from just outside the box in the 72nd minute.

Sporting KC had San Jose on its heels for the majority of the first half as they possessed the ball in the ‘Quakes zone only to have San Jose’s defense clear the ball out of the danger once it got inside the 18-yard box.

Gonzalez instilled some fresh legs in the second half in attempt to turn the tide of the momentum in his team’s favor. Forward Cade Cowell made the most of his substitution in the 57th minute when replaced Matthew Hoppe.

Cowell had the Earthquakes best scoring opportunity in the 66th minute with a long run past multiple Sporting KC defenders. However, his shot attempt into the middle of the box was blocked by a Sporting KC fullback and cleared out of danger.

Sporting KC had a golden opportunity late in the match to keep the game from going to a shootout. Sallói’s point-blank attempt in the 90th minute from 3-yards out was stoned away by a sliding Daniel after Sallói sneaked in unmarked past the ‘Quakes defense.

Daniel collected three saves and the Quakes’ defense blocked an additional four shots to keep the score deadlocked after 90 minutes despite Sporting Kansas City amassing 18 total shots.

Despite the early exit from the playoffs, it was a successful season under Gonzalez in his first year as the team’s manager. The club had a nine-point improvement from last season when it finished dead last in the Western Conference with just 35 points.

“We gave validation to all the work that we put into the season on and off the field. Trying to make our fans and families admire the way we act and play. We fought and kept building enough points to get into the playoffs. We came here on a mission and with motivation,” Gonzalez said.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with four corner kicks. Sporting KC had eight.

The Earthquakes’ defense earned their first postseason shutout in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since Nov. 4, 2012, when San Jose defeated the LA Galaxy on the road, 1-0, in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals. Victor Bernardez scored the lone goal in the 94th minute to give the Quakes the victory.

San Jose’s all-time playoff record goes to 12-13-2 and 4-10-1 on the road, with an even 40 goals scored and 40 conceded. The Quakes’ postseason record against SKC drops to 2-2-1 with eight goals for and eight against.

Phoenix Suns start season with win over Warriors 108-104 in SF

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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) takes the ball up the floor against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Oct 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors hosted the Phoenix Suns at the Chase Center Tuesday night to open the 2023-2024 season. The Warriors lost their home opener by four points to the Suns 108-104. Both teams remade their roster over the off-season. The Suns acquired Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards and Jusef Nurkic from the Portland Trailblazers.

Former Warrior Kevin Durant came over to the Suns late last year in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors traded away Jordan Poole in a trade for the veteran point guard Chris Paul. The Warriors added Dario Saric and Corey Joseph.

Each team was missing a key player. The Warriors Draymond Green did not play due to an ankle injury, and the Suns’ Bradley Beal was out due to an injury. 

Each team wanted to open the season with a win. Like the Warriors, the Suns were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season. The opener could be a preview of the teams meeting later in the playoffs. Round one went to the Suns as they could grind out a win.

The Suns grabbed an early advantage in the first period. The Suns led 24-12 when the Warriors went on a 16-3 run. The teams ended up tied 28-28 after the first 12 minutes. The Suns dominated the second period. They outscored the Warriors by 15 points to finish the first half leading 61-46. The Warriors continued their bad habit of committing too many fouls.

The Suns had 15 shots from the free-throw line and made 12. The Suns shot 49% from the floor, the Warriors 31%. It looked like it might be a long night for the Warriors.

Things changed in the third quarter. The Warriors outscored the Suns 40-19 to finish the quarter leading 86-80. In the quarter, the Suns sent the Warriors to the free-throw line. Phoenix continued to turn the ball over, and the Warriors put points on the board due to their miscues.

The Warriors handled the ball better for the first three periods. However, teams have to play 48 minutes of basketball. Teams have no trouble overcoming a six-point deficit with 12 minutes to play. Jonathan Kuninga opened the fourth quarter with a bucket to up the lead to 88-80.

The Suns answered with an 11-0 run to lead 91-88. Neither team would wilt. Phoenix led by four 103-99 until guard Stephen Curry connected on a three to make it a two-point deficit. Phoenix connected on a three, but Curry’s three made it 106-104.

30 seconds remained to play. Phoenix worked the clock and scored with ten seconds left. The Warriors needed a four-point play. They were hoping to get the ball to Curry for the final shot. The Suns did not let that happen. Phoenix wins the opener 108-104.

Game Notes: Steve Kerr was disappointed with the Warriors loss. There were some bright spots for Golden State. Chris Paul scored 14 points, had six rebounds, and nine assists. Kuminga scored 12 points and had six rebounds. The one negative was Kuminga’s five fouls. Curry had 27 points.

Curry made four threes in 14 tries. Curry also committed five fouls and had to sit longer on the bench. Dario Saric scored seven, had seven rebounds, and played well on defense. Klay Thompson made three threes in 11 tries. 

The Warriors, unfortunately for them, turned the ball over five times in the fourth quarter. The Warriors defense had 11 steals and blocked six shots. 

The Suns had five players in double-figures. Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points. Kevin Durant had a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds. Jusef Nurkic had 14 points and 14 boards. Eric Gordon had ten points. Gordon made a key three late in the fourth quarter. Josh Okogie was the third Sun player with a double-double. The Warriors had no answer for Okogie. Okogie knocked down 17 points and had 15 rebounds. 

The Warriors start a three-game road trip with a game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at the Golden One Arena. The game will start at 7 pm.

Cousins, Vikings defense upend 49ers in 22-17 win on Monday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffery looks to run past the Minnesota Vikings defense at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday OCT 23, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was a reversal of fortune when it came to preserving the game at the end.

Kirk Cousins had a great game and the Minnesota Vikings defense closed out the game with two defensive takeaways en route to a 22-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium.

San Francisco has lost two games in a row for the first time since Weeks 6 and 7 of last season. Minnesota has won two games in a row and three out of its last four games after starting out the season 0-3.

“We got to find ways to win the grimy games,” 49ers lineback Fred Warner said.

Both teams turned the ball over on their opening possessions. Cousins was intercepted by Charvarius Ward, who wrestled the ball away from wide receiver Jordan Addison at the Minnesota 48 yard-line. Then five plays later, Christian McCaffery fumbled the ball at the 12-yard that was recovered by Dean Lowry.

Minnesota (3-4) cashed in the turnover when Cousins led a 10-play drive that went 89 yards that was finished off with a 20-yard touchdown reception by Addison. It was the rookie wide receiver’s fifth touchdown of the season. Running back Mattison aided the drive with runs of 16 and 13 yards.

San Francisco (5-2) was able to score on its final drive of the first half. Brock Purdy led a 12-play 75-yard drive down the field with McCaffery running the ball in for a three-yard touchdown. McCaffery has scored a touchdown in 16 consecutive games, making him number two in the NFL for consecutive games scoring a touchdown.

The Vikings answered back in just 54 seconds to end the half with its second touchdown. On a third and 16, Cousins threw a 50-50 ball that Addison was able to win the battle this time against Ward as ripped the ball away from him and cruised into the endzone for a 60-yard touchdown reception, his second of the game. Greg Joesph missed the extra point.

San Francisco’s defense held Minnesota to a 22-yard field goal by Joesph after having first and goal at the one-yard after a passing inference penalty by so and so on their first possession of the second half.

Purdy connected with McCaffery on a pass out to the flat and “Run CMC” took it to the house for a 35-yard touchdown reception that completed a quick three play 75-yard drive.

Jake Moody cut the lead to five points when he kicked a 55-yard field goal with 13:21 left in the fourth quarter. Moody had missed a 40-yarder earlier in the first half but made all two of his extra points.

Despite the 49ers defense tightening up in the fourth quarter, after allowing 270 yards offense in the first half to Minnesota, it was the Vikings defense that sealed the deal with two interceptions late in the game.

Camryn Bynum made his first interception of the game when Purdy overthrew a deep ball down the middle where Bynum, playing center field on the play, dove down to come up with the ball.

Minnesota wasn’t able to close out the game on offense as head coach Kevin O’Connell elected to try a 50-yard field goal instead of punting the ball with San Francisco out of timeouts with 1:16 remaining. Joesph’s attempt sailed wide right setting up the 49ers at their own 40-yard line.

However, Purdy, who had a good first half, forced a ball down the middle of the field while throwing off his back foot into the hands of Bynum for his second interception to seal the game for the Vikings with 26 seconds left.

“We got beat. We’ve got take it like a man…We’ve got 5 1/2 days to figure out a way to beat the Bengals and make sure we go into the bye week 6-2 and not 5-3,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

Cousins, who was not sacked during the game, finished the game 35 of 45 for 378 yards to go along with his two touchdowns and one interception. Addison led all receivers with seven catches for 123 yards to go along with his two scores. Alexander Mattison chipped in 39 yards on eight carries.

Purdy went 21 of 30 for 272 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. McCaffery, who was a game time decision due to an oblique injury he was dealing with throughout the week, had 45 rushing yards on 15 carries while chipping in three receptions for 51 yards. Tight end George Kittle led the 49ers in receiving with five catches for 78 yards.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 5-for-9 on third down conversions. Minnesota went 8-for-13.

San Francisco fell to 0-36 under Shanahan when trailing by 8+ points in 4th quarter in regular season or playoffs. Niners have lost 37 straight in all in that scenario. Only the Carolina Panthers have a longer streak at 45 straight losses.

UP NEXT: San Francisco hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday 10/29 at 1:25pm at Levi’s Stadium.

Silver Knights comeback from 2-goal deficit to beat Barracuda 4-3 in OT

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Barracuda forward Oscar Lindblom battles it out with Silver Knight forward Byron Froese at the Dollar Loan Center on Saturday OCT 21, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

Grigori Denisenko scored the game winning goal at the 1:53 mark of overtime to bring home a Henderson Silver Knights 4-3 come from behind victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday afternoon at Dollar Loan Center.

San Jose were swept out of the desert but earned a point in the two-game series. Henderson remained undefeated after its first four games.

The Barracuda (1-2-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period fresh off a penalty kill. Ryan Carpenter threaded a pass through a ton of traffic that was intended for Danil Gushchin. Brandon Coe ended up getting it on his stick before firing a shot past Silver Knights goalie Jesper Vikman for his third goal of the season at the 3:25 mark.

Henderson (4-0-0-0) answered back at the 8:42 mark of the opening 20 minutes with an even strength goal. Jakub Brabenec found Mason Morelli on the left wing and Morelli beat ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona top shelf with a wrist shot for his second goal in as many games against San Jose.

San Jose regained the lead early in the second period. Nathan Todd cleaned up his own rebound to score his first goal of the season at the 3:29 mark.

Ethan Cardwell took advantage of a turnover by the Silver Knights inside their own zone. Cardwell skated in on a breakaway and beat Vikman with a wrist shot for his second goal of the season at the 11:20 mark.

Henderson scored two goals in a 11-second span late in the third period to even the game. First, Lukas Cormier sent a rink wide pass over to Gage Quinney who buried home a one-timer past Chrona for his first goal of the season.

Then after a faceoff win Dysin Mayo sent a seeing eye puck through traffic from the point to score his second goal of the season.

Quinney set up Denisenko’s heroics when he sent a pass over to a wide open Denisenko who lasered in a wrist shot past Chrona for his second goal of the season.

Vikman (1-0) stopped 20 of the 23 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Chrona (1-1) made 33 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams went 0-for-6 on the power play.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Henderson on Wednesday 10/25 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Silver Knights edge Barracuda 5-4 with late power play goal to stay undefeated

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San Jose Barracuda forward Ryan Carpenter battles for the puck against Henderson Silver Knight defenseman Dysin Mayo at the Dollar Loan Center on Friday OCT 20, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Sheldon Rempal scored a power play goal with 3:44 remaining in the third period for the game winning goal in the Henderson Silver Knights’ 5-4 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at the Dollar Loan Center.

Defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk made his debut for the Barracuda. Okhotiuk is on loan from the San Jose Sharks for a conditioning assignment with the ‘Cuda as he was paired with Valterri Pulli as the third pair on head coach John McCarthy’s blueline.

Another defenseman also made his debut for San Jose as Henry Thrun was sent down to the ‘Cuda after playing two games with the Sharks as he made their opening day roster.

San Jose (1-2-0-0) drew first blood with a power play goal just past the halfway mark of the first period. Ryan Carpenter sent a rink wide pass over to Danil Gushchin who quickly sent a touch pass toward the net and Justin Bailey tapped home the puck just inside the right post for his first goal of the season at the 11:44 mark.

Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera made some big saves during the first period that kept Henderson from falling into a deeper hole.

Henderson (3-0-0-0) scored the equalizer late in the opening 20 minutes. Gage Quinney’s initial shot was saved by ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi but Brendan Brisson cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the season at the 16:47 mark.

The Silver Knights gained it first lead 17 seconds into the second period on the man advantage. Rempal led a rush into the ‘Cuda zone. He fed a pass over to Mason Morelli who buried a wrist shot to the far side for his second goal of the year.

Then 32 seconds later Morelli found Jakub Brabenec open along the wing and he beat Makiniemi with a wrist shot for his first goal of the season to give Henderson a 3-1 lead.

Henderson scored its fourth unanswered goal while killing a penalty. A loose puck inside the ‘Cuda zone was picked up by Dysin Mayo who blasted a slap shot past Makiniemi to the far side of the net for his first goal of the season at the 4:13 mark.

San Jose cut Henderson’s lead in half with an even strength goal. After a clean face off win, Shakir Mukhamadullin fed Leon Gawanke along the right slot and the rookie defenseman beat Patera with a hard wrist shot for his first goal of the season at the 7:59 mark.

Carpenter made it a 4-3 game when he cleaned up a point-blank rebound after a shot by Brandon Coe was initially stopped by Patera for his team-leading third goal of the season at the 13:48 mark. Anthony Vincent was credited with the secondary assist.

The Barracuda scored its third unanswered goal on the power play. A wrist shot from Gawanke went off the mask of Patera and Coe buried home the rebound from the crease for his second goal of the season at the 13:40 mark. Mukhamadullin picked up his second assist on the equalizer.

Patera (3-0) finished the game stopping 31 of the 35 shots he faced to earn his third win of the season. Makiniemi (1-1) made 18 shots on 23 shots in the losing effort.

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

Defenseman Radim Simek was assigned to the Barracuda after being placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Rempal 2) Brabenec 3) Morelli.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude their two-game series on Saturday at 1:00pm at Dollar Loan Center.

49ers suffer first loss of the season in ugly 19-17 display with Browns

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San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Kelvin Givens makes a tackle on Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday OCT 15, 2023. (Kym Fortino-San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

In a game that was marred with penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities, the San Francisco 49ers suffered its first regular season defeat in over a season in a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon at First Energy Stadium

San Francisco played their worst game in the past 16 games as they amassed 12 penalties for 105 yards, two of them which continued the eventual game winning field goal drive by Cleveland.

“We just made too many mistakes,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

The 49ers suffered more than its first regular season loss since October 23, 2022, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Star players Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffery did not finish the game as they suffered shoulder and oblique injuries respectively. Also, all-pro tackle Trent Williams played with an injured leg when it was rolled up on in the second half.

The Browns defense made 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy look human as they and the rainy weather made life hell for 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant throughout the ballgame. Purdy threw his first interception of the season that was a direct result of the Browns pass rush. He also had trouble gripping the ball as he fumbled trying to the throw the ball but was able to recover it for a loss.

“As an offense, we played into their hands a bit too much to get the win,” Trent Williams said.

The game start for the 49ers could have not been better. Purdy led a five play 84-yard scoring drive when he connected with McCaffery for a 13-yard touchdown reception to give an early 7-0 lead. Then on Cleveland’s opening possession Fred Warner intercepted quarterback PJ Walker, who was starting for injured Deshaun Watson, and returned it 32 yards to the Browns 26-yard line.

“We definitely didn’t underestimate them, but they played better than us,” Nick Bosa said.

San Francisco wasn’t able to capitalize as rookie kicker Jake Moody missed a 54-yard field goal, in what was a foreshadow for the end of the game.

After a Moody 25-yard field goal, Cleveland marched down the field 83 yards in just five plays that was finished off with a Kareem Hunt direct snap 16-yard rushing touchdown.

The Browns shutout the 49ers in the third quarter while getting two field goals from kicker Dustin Hopkins to gain its first lead of the game 13-10.

The 49ers defense took back control of the game early in the fourth quarter when Deommodore Lenior intercepted Walker and returned the ball 28 yards to the Browns 8-yard line. The ensuing next play Jordan Mason cashed in the turnover with an eight-yard rushing touchdown.

Cleveland kept chipping away as Hopkins kicked two more fields in the fourth quarter. His fourth from 29-yards out with 1:40 left in the game gave the Browns a 19-17 lead.

Purdy then led the 49ers down the field that included a 25-yard reception by wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and a Jauan Jennings nine-yard reception to convert a third down conversion. However, Moody’s 41-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right with :06 left to seal the Niners fate.

Walker finished 18-of-24 for 192 yards with no touchdowns to go along with his two interceptions. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, who was the offensive catalyst for Cleveland with clutch catches in the fourth quarter, led all receivers with four catches for 108 yards. Jerome Ford chipped in 84 yards on 17 carries.

Purdy, who had his worst game of his pro career, went 12-of-27 for just 125 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Aiuyk led the 49ers in receiving with four catches for 76 yards. McCaffery, despite not playing in the fourth quarter, led San Francisco in rushing with 43 yards on 11 carries.

Newly acquired defensive end Randy Gregory had a sack and three tackles in the game.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 3-for-12 on third down conversion. Cleveland went 3-for-13.

San Francisco had its 8th-consecutive regular season game where they have scored on the opening drive of a game, dating back to Week 16 of 2022 [at LV (1/1/23)], which is the team’s longest streak in at least 45 seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The 49ers has scored 38 points on opening drives this season (5 TDs & 1 FG). 

McCaffrey’s 15-consecutive games with a TD tie HOF RB John Riggins and HOF RB O.J. Simpson for the 2nd-most consecutive games (postseason included) with a TD in NFL history. 

UP NEXT: San Francisco concludes its two-game road trip with a Monday Night Football matchup with the Minnesota Vikings on 10/23 at 5:20pm at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Icehogs take advantage of controversial call in 7-2 route of Barracuda in season opener

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The Rockford IceHogs celebrate one of their seven goals in the 7-2 win over the San Jose Barracuda at Teach CU Arena on Friday OCT 13, 2023. (San Jose Barrcuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Rockford IceHogs took advantage of a five-minute power play scoring two goals in what turned a close game into a laugher during a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda in the season opener for both teams on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

The opening 20 minutes featured a physical battle with both team throwing hits to get themselves acquainted with one another. ‘Cuda starting goalie Magnus Chrona stoned Josh Healey on a short-handed breakaway opportunity at the 9:46 mark.

Rockford (1-0-0-0) drew first blood with the power play goal just halfway past the first period. The IceHogs only needed eight second to convert when Joey Anderson fed a rink wide pass through the crease and Anders Bjork buried a one-timer past Chrona for his goal of the season at the 10:47 mark.

The IceHogs doubled its lead with an even strength goal at the 14:05 mark. Joey Anderson found Mike Hardman with a backdoor pass and Hardman tapped in an easy one for his first goal of the season. Bjork received the secondary assist on the play.

San Jose (0-1-0-0) responded less than two minutes later with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell whipped a no-look backhand pass through the crease and Brandon Coe beat IceHogs goalie Drew Commesso with a one-timer for his first goal of the season at the 15:58 mark.

The game changing moment came at the 3:12 mark of the second period when Ozzy Wiesblatt was given a five-minute major penalty for a high hit on Kale Howarth, who was injured on the play and did not return to the game. The officiating crew ruled the hit to be a check to the head and Wiesblatt’s night was over on a questionable call that looked to have been a clean hit delivered by Wiesblatt.

“Not really,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy when asked if he received any explanation from the officials. “That’s what they saw. They said it was contact to the head. We gotta deal with it. It set us on our heels on the scoreboard, but also momentum wise.”

Rockford took full advantage as they scored twice during the five-minute penalty. Michal Telply cleaned up a rebound off a blocked shot from the point to score his first goal of the season at the 5:16 mark to regain a two-goal lead for the IceHogs. David Gust made it 4-1 29 seconds later when he drove in a point-blank shot through the five-hole of Chrona for his first goal of the season.

Cole Cassels had a chance to cut the IceHogs lead in half when he was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped up by Louis Crevier on a breakaway attempt at the 15:51 mark. However, Cassels’ shot rung off the far post.

Gust scored his second goal of the game after he finished a two-on-one odd man rush with Brett Seney. Gust received the cross-ice pass and made a move around Chrona before tapping home the puck inside the net at the 12:05 mark of the third period.

Ryder Rolston scored his first goal of the season for Rockford after slamming home a puck into an open net after receiving a pass from Jalen Luypen at the 14:06 mark.

Bryce Kindopp closed out the scoring for Rockford with an unassisted empty net goal at the 15:58 mark.

‘Cuda defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin scored his goal of the season with San Jose on a 5-on-3 advantage. Danil Guhschin found him at the right point and Mukhamadullin fired a wrist shot past Commesso at the 16:51 mark.

Commeesso finished then night stopping 34 of the 36 shots to earn his first victory of the season. Chrona made 27 saves on 33 shots in the losing effort.

“We left him (Chrona) (hung) out to dry. We didn’t give up a ton of chances, but the quality of the chances we gave up was high. Bad reads, bad reads in the offensive zone. (We) put ourselves in a bad spot there. It wasn’t on him,” McCarthy said.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Rockford went 3-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gust 2) Coe 3) Bjork.

UP NEXT:San Jose and Rockford conclude their two-games series on Saturday 10/14 at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Kittle’s career night lead undefeated 49ers to 42-10 beat down of Cowboys

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle celebrates one of his three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday OCT 8, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was only a matter of time before George Kittle had his own breakout game.

Kittle scored his first three touchdowns of the season, a career high, in the San Francisco 49ers 42-10 route of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers all-pro tight end had three catches, all for touchdowns, with 67 yards as he tied a San Francisco franchise record for most touchdowns by a tight end in a single game.

San Francisco has started the season 5-0 for the first time since starting 7-0 back in 2019. Dallas dropped to 3-2 on the season as both losses have been to NFC West opponents.

“We have a really good team, we’re healthy and we’re clicking right now,” Kittle said.

The 49ers scored on its opening possession. Quarterback Brock Purdy hooked up with Kittle on his first touchdown of the game, a 19-yarder, to finish off a seven play 75-yard drive.

It was not a good start for Dallas as they started with back-to-back three and outs as San Francisco’s defense led by Fred Warner, who played like a man possessed with eight tackles, a sack and an interception, kept the Cowboys from establishing any kind of a rhythm.

“Being the competitor that I am, I wanted us to be the top defense and I think we did that tonight,” Warner said.

Both teams exchanged fumbles. Warned punched the ball out of running back Tony Polard’s hands at their own nine-yard line, which was recovered by Kevin Givens at the 16-yard line. Then two plays later running back Christian McCaffery fumbled at the Dallas 2-yard line that was recovered by Jourdan Lewis.

The 49ers defense disrupted Prescott all game long as they intercepted him three times and sacked him three times. San Francisco won the turnover battle four to one.

Purdy connected with Kittle for their second touchdown of the game, a 38-yard touchdown reception after a reverse flee-flicker from McCaffery to Deebo Samuel who pitched it back to Purdy who then threw to a wide-open Kittle down the right sideline as he cruised into the end zone with 13:16 left in the second quarter.

“That play was a great a draw up,” said Purdy regarding the trick play. “We were excited we finally got to call it (in a game).”

The Cowboys cut the lead in half with a 11 play 78-yard drive when Prescott connected with KaVontae Turpin for a 26-yard touchdown reception with 7:45 remaining in the first half.

The 49ers closed out the first half with a 21-7 lead when McCaffery rushed for his seventh touchdown of the season as he powered his way up the middle for a one-yard touchdown with 2:36 left in the second quarter. The all-pro running back has now scored a touchdown in a 49ers uniform in 14 consecutive games.

The Purdy-Kittle connection hooked up for a third touchdown of the night when Kittle got underneath the defense inside the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown reception on its first possession of the second half.

“Being able to see (Ex 49ers tight end) Vernon (Davis)pre-game. He told me to score three to tie his record. I was like (sigh) fine all right Vernon (Davis) I’ll do it, I’ll tell Brock…It was fun being able to get in the endzone,” Kittle said.

Purdy, who finished 17-for-24 for 252 yards with no interceptions, threw for his fourth touchdown of the game when he found fullback Kyle Juszczyk out in the flat for a one-yard touchdown reception with 14:19 left in the fourth quarter.

San Francisco scored its final touchdown after Prescott’s second interception. Backup running back Jordan Mason went untouched for a 26-yard rushing touchdown 20 seconds later.

It was a forgettable evening for Prescott as he finished 14-for-24 for 153 yards with one touchdown to go along with his three interceptions and quarterback rating of just 51.6. CeeDee Lamb led the Cowboys in receiving with four catches for 49 yards.

Mason led the 49ers in rushing with 69 yards on 10 carries and McCaffery had a modest night with 51 yards on 19 carries. Brandon Aiyuk chipped in four catches for 58 yards. Pollard had a quiet game with only 29 yards on eight carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 6-for-11 on third down conversions. Dallas went 4-for-10.

San Francisco now leads the all-time series against Dallas 20-19-1.

Purdy remains undefeated in the regular season (10-0) and is 12-1 in his career with San Francisco.

The 49ers lead the NFL in first drive points with 31.

UP NEXT: San Francisco travels out to Cleveland to take on the Browns on Sunday 10/15 at 10:00am at FirstEnergy Stadium.