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Barracuda power play is special in 4-2 win over Roadrunners

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Thomas Bordeleau battles for a puck behind the net at Tech CU Arena on Saturday DEC 3, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — It was a night made for tossing teddy bears and scoring power play goals.

The San Jose Barracuda scored three consecutive goals on the man advantage as they came back from a one-goal deficit to defeat the Tucson Roadrunners 4-2 on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose snapped a two-game losing streak and are 1-2 on their current six-game homestand. Tucson has lost two in a row after ending the month of November winning four of its last five games.

It was the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night and first one at the new building. Fans had to wait till the second period to flood the ice with the hundreds of stuffed animals as Tucson (10-7-1-0) drew first blood in the first period.

Victor Soderstrom found Jan Jenik in the right slot and Jenik fired a one-timer past ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann for his third goal of the season at the 5:49 mark.

San Jose (11-9-0-1) scored the equalizer with its first power play goal late in the second period. A shot from the point by Ryan Merkley pinballed off of Jasper Weatherby and then Luke Johnson past Roadrunners goalie Jon Gillies into the back of the net. It was Jonhson’s fifth goal of the season at the 18:17 mark.

“I thought it might have been a high stick, so I didn’t sell it too hard. It was a big goal too, so it was nice to see it go in,” Johnson said.

A blizzard of stuffed animals flew onto the ice from the 2,478 in attendance. Due to the lengthy delay, both teams went into the locker rooms for the second intermission.

I thought our second was our best period. It’s nice to have the power play goals, nice to get the two points,” ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

Once the middle frame resumed, the Barracuda finished off the period with its second power play goal. William Eklund sent a rink wide pass over to Thomas Bordeleau who blasted a one-timer past Gillies for his team leading 10th goal of the season at the 19:08 mark.

“It’s fun to get the win. We’re right back at it tomorrow so there’s not a lot of time to feel good about yourself and stuff like that. You gotta get right back at it,” Bordeleau said.

A scary situation happened early in the third period when Bokondji Imama slammed Artemi Kniazev from behind into the boards injuring Kniazev, who was able to walk off under his own power to the locker room but did not return to the game. The play resulted in a five-minute major to Imama and a game misconduct who was ejected from the game.

San Jose made Tucson pay as they scored an insurance goal with its third unanswered power play goal just halfway through the third period near the end of their five-minute power play. Merkley, who finished with two assists, set up Eklund who snapped home a one-timer past Gillies for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:10 mark.

‘Cuda defenseman Montana Onyebuchi sealed the deal for San Jose when he cleaned up a rebound off of an Ozzy Wiseblatt shot for his second goal of the season at the 17:10 mark.

Jean-Sebastian Dea completed the scoring with his 10th goal of the season at the 18:29 mark. Adam Cracknell and Laurent Dauphin were credited with assists.

Mann finished the game stopping 22 of the 24 shots he faced to earn his third victory of the season. Gillies made 32 saves on 36 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOES: San Jose finished 3-for-8 on the power play. Tucson went 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Bordeleau 2) Johnson 3) Merkley

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-games series on Sunday 12/4 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Wild special teams power past Barracuda in 5-3 win

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San Jose Barracuda and Iowa Wild players skirmish after the whistle at Tech CU Arena on NOV 30, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — A battle of special teams sunk the home team.

The Iowa Wild scored two power play goals and a short-handed one en route to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

Iowa swept the two-games series and has won two in row. San Jose has lost two in a row and closed out the month of November losing three out of the last five games.

Iowa (7-6-2-2) drew first blood on the power play late in the first period. A clean faceoff resulted in Joe Hicketts finding Sammy Walker on the right side. Walker skated in a snapped home a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his ninth goal of the season at the 14:59 mark.

The Wild have scored three power play goals in the two-game series against the ‘Cuda.

Iowa doubled its lead while killing a penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the opening frame. Marco Rossi cleared the puck out of his own zone that sprung Joseph Cramarossa on a breakaway. Cramarossa slid a backhander past Makiniemi into the back of the net for a short-handed goal, his fourth goal of the season at the 18:07 mark.

Cramarossa has begun to heat up for the Wild as has scored in three straight games.

Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt was busy in the first period as he stopped all 16 shots the Barracuda threw his way.

Iowa scored its second power play goal of the game and third unanswered early in the second period. Hicketts found Steven Fogerty in the right slot and Fogerty roofed a wrist shot over Makiniemi for his fifth goal of the season at the 5:43 mark.

San Jose broke through on the scoreboard with a power play goal halfway through the middle frame. Daniel Gushchin wired a rink wide pass over to Thomas Bordeleau who rifled home a one-timer past Wallstedt for his team leading ninth goal of the season at the 9:48 mark. The ‘Cuda needed only four seconds to cash in their opportunity.

The Barracuda had an excellent opportunity to cut the Iowa lead even smaller when they were awarded a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play when both Ty Ronning and Fogerty went to the sinbin for holding and cross checking. However, the ‘Cuda didn’t generate any quality scoring chances and Iowa was able to kill off both penalties with no damage done.

Iowa made the most of their opportunities with the mad advantage in the two-game series scoring four power play goals compared to two for San Jose.

“I didn’t see anything different structurally, ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy said regarding his team’s penalty kill. “They had some nice shots (on net) honestly. Secondly, when we take as many (penalties) as we took, our penalty killers get tired. It wears on them. So over time I kind of see that as one of the reasons. We’re looking to get back on track against Tuscon (this weekend).”

The Wild regained their three-goal lead early in the third period. Mike O’Leary cleaned up a rebound with a backhander from a shot by Ronning for his third goal of the season at the 2:36 mark.

San Jose inched closer over a minute later when they scored a goal four-on-four. Gushchin finished a two-on-one inside the Wild zone when he buried a pass from Artemi Kniazev right through the five-hole of Wallstedt for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:54 mark.

The Barracuda the deficit to one-goal when Gushchin, who earned a multi-point game with his goal and two assists, set up William Eklund all alone to the right of the net and Eklund rocketed in a one-timer into an empty net for his fifth goal of the season at the 11:47 mark.

Adam Beckman closed out any chance for a ‘Cuda comeback with an empty net goal with 23 seconds remaining to seal the deal for Iowa.

Wallstedt finished with 31 saves on 34 shots to earn his second straight victory. Makiniemi made 20 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for 6 on the power play. Iowa was 2-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Hicketts 3) Cramarossa.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its six-game homestand with a weekend series against the Tucson Roadrunners on Saturday 12/3 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Rough Times, Dealing With Adversity: Cal remains winless after 66-51 loss to USC

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Against the USC Trojans, the first pass was difficult, and the second pass nearly impossible.

Cal’s deliberate pace didn’t move the defense an inch but instead left the Trojans more rooted in the paint. Devin Askew, the Bears’ nearest thing to a catalyst, was then left to put up a bunch of difficult shots.

And that was the opening half, and Cal’s best 20 minutes of the evening, after which they trailed 27-22.

To recap, the hosts, buoyed by their most enthusiastic crowd of the season, totaled one assist, 28 missed shots, and one made three in the first half.

The Bears got as close as 46-43 in the second half, only to see the Trojans score 20 consecutive points to turn a close game into a rout.

The lengthy USC run to close the game exposed the Cal bench, which had four guys play a combined 35 minutes, but shoot 0 for 8 and go scoreless. The quartet of ND Okafor, Obinna Anyanwu, Marsalis Roberson, and Monty Bowser could be an area of growth going forward for Cal, but none have the experience or breadth to impose their will at this point. Sam Alijiki, Cal’s most impactful frontcourt reserve missed the game due to concussion protocols.

Askew once again led Cal in scoring with 23 points, but missed 14 of his 21 shot attempts and committed three turnovers as Cal never gave USC a reason to veer its attention in other directions.

“You have to finish… you get a chance to lay the ball off the backboard, you have to finish it.” coach Mark Fox said.

Lars Thiemann had 10 for Cal, but he too was harassed by a collapsing Trojan defense.

Reese Dixon-Waters led USC with 17, Drew Peterson and Joshua Morgan added 14 each.

The Bears are 0-8 for the first time ever with a visit to Arizona up next. Among Power 5 teams, Cal surprisingly has company: the Louisville Cardinals are 0-7, and no team in the Power 5 Era has started 0-10.

Fox, in his 18th year as head coach at the Division I level, cited the miraculous rise of Bill Snyder’s Kansas State football teams from his youthful days in Kansas. Fox said he told his team the K-State story the other day in an attempt to get them to tap into the mindset needed to turn around their daunting circumstances.

“This team’s going to have to earn their right to win, and that’s going to be difficult,” Fox said.

“He’s been the most positive on the whole team. He refuses to let us quit,” Kuany Kuany said of Fox. “I feel like we’re all picking up from that. He’s very consistent with his energy. We look at him and don’t want to quit because we’ll let our coach down.”

49ers defense pitches shutout in 13-0 win over Saints

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San Francisco 49ers Fred Warner and Jimmie Ward celebrate a defensive stop at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday NOV 27, 2022. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The number one defense in the NFL looks super…as in Super Bowl caliber.

The San Francisco 49ers defense notched it up to another level as they shutout the New Orleans Saints in 13-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. The Niners defense has played six consecutive scoreless quarters including shutouts in the second half in four consecutive games.

San Francisco has won four games in a row, their longest win streak of the season and sit atop of the NFC West Division thanks to the Seattle Seahawks 40-34 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. New Orleans has lost three out of its last four games.

The last time the 49ers had a four-game winning streak was back in 2019, when they went to the Super Bowl.

Fred Warner got things started on the Saints opening drive when he knocked the ball out of running back Alvin Kamara’s hands and recovered the ball at the New Orleans’ 43-yard line.

San Francisco (7-4) had to settle for a 24-yard field goal from Robbie Gould after their drive stalled at the five-yard line.

New Orleans (4-8) defense held their own throughout the game as they didn’t allow San Francisco to establish a rhythm offensively as they pressured quarterback Jimmy Garopollo and recorded six hits on the veteran quarterback. One of them by defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, where he went low and pulled Garopollo down by his leg had Garopollo down on the ground in apparent pain. Garoppolo was able to continue and never had to come out of the game.

“It’s football but you’ve got to be smart as players, look out for one another. There’s no place for that,” Garopollo said of Roach’s hit.

On the opposite side Saints quarterback Andy Dalton wasn’t as pressured by the 49ers front four for the majority of the game and looked good with some deep throws for completions. However, San Francisco’s defense dominated the trenches and never allowed New Orleans to get their explosive running game going whether it was Kamara or Swiss Army knife type Taysom Hill.

Dalton ended up being the leading rusher for New Orleans on scrambles out of the pocket with 21 yards on four carries. Kamara had just 13 yards on seven carries as San Francisco allowed just 63 yards of rushing.

“I think it’s outstanding to go out there and shutout an NFL team,” safety Jimmy Ward said regarding the defense’s ability to keep teams off the scoreboard in the second half. “Guys are getting paid a lot of money to go out there and score points. What we’ve been doing the last couple of weeks helping our offense, shutting them (teams) out in the second half. Hopefully we can keep this type of energy and play lights out the rest of the season.”

San Francisco went up 10-0 just before halftime when Garoppolo connected with Jauan Jennings on a five-yard touchdown reception with 13 seconds left in the second quarter. The throw was initially deflected by Tyrann Mathieu but made it out to an outstretched Jennings for his first receiving touchdown of the season and sixth of his career.

The 49ers had their own issues getting their running game going in that Garoppolo threw 28 passes in the first half, the most he has thrown in the first half this season. Elijah Mitchell, who suffered a MCL injury to his knee in the third quarter, led the team in rushing with 35 yards on just seven carries. Christian McCaffery chipped in with 32 yards on 11 carries.

New Orleans threatened to end the shutout streak early in the fourth quarter when they drove down to the 49ers six-yard line. Dalton threw a short pass to Kamara out in the flat. Talanoa Hufanga jarred the ball lose with a big hit on Kamara and Dre Greenlaw recovered the ball at the one yard line.

“Honestly I didn’t even know that I got it (the ball) out. I was hoping we got a stop. Then I saw the ball on the ground and everybody jumping for it. I was waiting for the replay, like what even happened. Just blessed we were able to recover and held them (New Orleans) to a zero today,” Hufanga said.

After a three and out by San Francisco, New Orleans once again drove down the field and got inside the 49ers 10-yard line. Nick Bosa preserved the shutout when he sacked Dalton for seven yards on a 4th and goal from the four-yard line. It was the only sack San Francisco recorded on the day but proved to be the biggest one of the season so far.

“Oh, they were unbelievable today. I thought they had a chance to do well, but they even surpassed that. [New Orleans Saints QB Andy] Dalton made a couple of big throws, two of those posts, getting inside the I believe five twice and our D coming up with no points on that. Them having to go for it, they were great getting the two turnovers. Big time day by them,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game.

Garopollo finished 26 of 37 for 222 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Brandon Aiyuk led the team in receiving with five catches for 65 yards. Jennings added six catches for 49 yards to go along with his touchdown.

Dalton went 18 of 29 for 204 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Rookie standout wide receiver Chris Olave led the Saints in receiving with five catches for 62 yards.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 5-for-13 on third down conversions. New Orleans went 4-for-11.

After 59 games as a starter with the 49ers, Garoppolo’s record is 40-19, which tied Steve Young for second place all-time in franchise history.

New Orleans’ streak of 332 since last being shutout was snapped and was the longest running streak in the NFL. The last time they were shutout was back in Week 17 of 2001 when they were also shutout by San Francisco.

UP NEXT: San Francisco continues its three-game homestand as they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday 12/4 at 1:05pm at Levi’s Stadium.

0-5 For The First Time: Bears suffer unprecedented 59-55 loss to Texas State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–This is the low point for California basketball. They can only go up from here.

Or can they?

The Bears suffered a fifth straight loss to start the season at Haas Pavilion on Monday against a smaller opponent from a lesser conference. It’s a reoccurring theme for sure, one the Bears can’t seem to escape.

This is the first time in the history of the program–115 years and counting–that the Bears have been 0-5.

Texas State blew in to Berkeley on Monday, frustrated the they couldn’t close the deal at UT-San Antonio on Thursday, when they were logically unable to make their meager 56 points stand up on the road.

The answer? Stop through Berkeley on the way to Hawaii for Thanksgiving and do a just a little more than they did at UTSA.

Guess what? That strategy worked.

Cal committed 16 turnovers and the Bobcats from the Southland Conference took a 23-22 lead four minutes before halftime and never relinquished it in their 59-55 win.

Again, the hosts didn’t execute anything with force, and went the final five minutes before halftime with scoring. Coach Mark Fox cited his limited options at both guard spots and last minute role changes that left his team less than prepared.

“We’re so disjointed with the lineups we’ve been forced to play,” Fox said.

Once again, only two, traditional guards played for Cal as Devin Askew led the Bears with 17 points, but missed 10 of his 15 shots, and Joel Brown went scoreless off the bench with five turnovers.

Overall, the hosts weren’t a mess statistically, but their deliberate pace produced 55 points, which is more often than not just enough to get you beat at the Division I level. After leading for much of the first half the Bears trailed by as many as 11 points after the break.

Senior guard, and two-time, All-Conference selection Mason Harrell led Texas State with 21 points and all the heady plays down the stretch as Cal got within two points of the lead with 26 seconds remaining.

Brandon Davis added 14 for the Bobcats.

“It’s how you respond, I’m so proud of all those guys in the locker room. They truly responded.” associate head coach Benny Seltzer said.

The win was the first for Texas State over a Power 5 school since 1998, and their first ever over a Pac-12 opponent. Earlier this season, the Bobcats also won at Rhode Island.

The Bears travel to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday where they will face TCU on Friday, and either Iowa or Clemson on Saturday.

Garopollo and 49ers power past Cardinals in 38-10 route south of the border on Monday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle celebrates one of his two touchdowns at Estadio Azteca on Monday NOV 21, 2022. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

The scarlet and gold are getting caliente at the right moment.

The San Francisco 49ers scored on four-straight possessions from the second quarter to the start of the third quarter to roll past the Arizona Cardinals in a 38-10 blowout victory on Monday evening at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico.

The NFL made its triumphant return since 2019 as Mexico’s capital city’s favorite team gave the crowd quite a performance.

San Franciso is getting hot at the right time having won three games in a row and regained the top spot in the NFC West as they hold the tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks, who were on their bye week. Arizona has lost three out its past four games.

It was a wet beginning to the game as the heavens poured down with a strong steady rain. Neither team was able to cope with the elements on their opening drives.

Arizona (4-7) drew first blood with exactly eight minutes remaining in the first quarter when Matt Prater’s 40-yard field goal completed an 11 play 58-yard drive. Quarterback Colt McCoy made his second consecutive start for the injured Kyler Murray who missed his second straight game dealing with a hamstring injury.

San Francisco (6-4) found its footing in the second quarter as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo marched the 49ers down the field in its longest drive of the season of 82 yards on nine plays. Garoppolo connected with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a seven-yard touchdown reception.

“When Jimmy (Garoppolo) has been healthy for us and he has his guys out there, he plays at a very high level,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on his veteran quarterback’s performance.

The 49ers magic number was 39 during their next three drives as that was the number that finished off each scoring drive.

Jimmie Ward picked off McCoy after the ball bounced off the hand of running back James Conner on the Cardinals next possession.

San Francisco only needed three plays to cash in on Ward’s interception. On a third and three Garoppolo stepped up into the pocket and found tight end Geroge Kittle wide open over the middle and Kittle broke one tackle on his way to the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown with 8:42 left in the second quarter.

Arizona answered back when running back James Connor plunged in for a two-yard rushing touchdown that finished off a nine play 75-yard drive as that was the closest the Cardinals got on the scoreboard.

The 49ers opened the second half as they ran right down the throat of the Cardinals defense. Deebo Samuel took a pitch from behind the line of scrimmage and run an end around for a 39-yard rushing touchdown to give San Francisco a comfortable 24-10 lead.

San Francisco’s defense once again dominated the second half as they put the hammer down to any type of comeback by Arizona. They made McCoy run for his life in the high altitude of Mexico City with constant pressure as they ended up with three sacks and eight quarterback hits.

Once again for the third consecutive game the 49ers defense shutout their opponent in the second half. A late drive in the fourth quarter ended when Sam Womack III intercepted a pass from backup quarterback Trace McSorley inside the end zone.

The 49ers put the game away back-to-back touchdown drives to seal the route. Aiyuk earned his second touchdown of the game when he caught a 13-yard pass from Garoppolo near the end of the third quarter.

Then Kittle recorded his second touchdown of the game he took a short pass out in the flat from Garoppolo and ran down the sideline for a 32-yard touchdown for his first multiple touchdown game of the season.

Garoppolo finished with one of his best offensive performances of the season going 20 of 29 for 228 yards for four touchdowns and no interceptions. Kittle led San Francisco in receiving with 84 yards on four catches to go along with his two touchdowns. Running back Christian McCaffery and Samuel each has seven catches for 67 and 57 yards respectively. Elijah Mitchell chipped in 59 yards on nine carries to lead rushers.

McCoy went 24 of 34 for 218 yards with no touchdown and one interception in the losing effort. Rookie wide receiver Greg Dortch led all receivers with nine catches for 103 yards.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 6-for-11. Arizona went 8-for-16.

San Francisco is 5-1 against Arizona on Monday Night Football. The 49ers now have the most wins in the history of MNF with 52 surpassing the Pittsburgh Steelers who have 51.

The 49ers improved to 3-1 in international play with their most recent trip abroad was a 42-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in in London’s Wembley Stadium back in 2013.

UP NEXT: San Francisco host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday 11/27 at 1:25pm at Levi’s Stadium

Big Game Bounce: Sirmon’s scoop and score propels Cal past Stanford, 27-20

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Midway through the fourth quarter of the 125th Big Game, Jackson Sirmon was just another guy on either team eager to change the narrative of a dismal season, willing to do anything possible to avoid another loss.

One play later, Sirmon was a hero, forever immortalized in the rich history of the series between Stanford and Cal.

When the football inexplicably starts exchanging hands at Memorial Stadium, grab it. Just like “The Play” 40 years ago, the intertwined memories last forever.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Sirmon said. “All I did that play is I didn’t mess it up. The ball came right to me and I ran with it.”

Sirmon’s scoop and score–after Stanford backup quarterback Ashton Daniels then Cal’s Jeremiah Earby both fumbled on the play–gave Cal its first lead of the evening, 20-17. Prior to Sirmon’s miracle play, the Bears’ defense was confounded, trailing 17-12 and likely facing some tough questions regarding Stanford’s fast start that saw them lead 10-3 after the game’s initial possessions in the first quarter.

Both Bay Area rivals came into Saturday’s showdown saddled with a second straight losing season dragged down by a bunch of injuries, and the inability to muster much offense at all.

Stanford hadn’t scored more than 16 points in any of its previous, five games, and Cal hadn’t won a game since September 24. In front of sellout crowd, and on the 40th anniversary of Cal’s miracle, 25-20 win in 1982, something had to give.

Cal trailed 17-6 to start the fourth quarter, and they didn’t exactly jump into the driver’s seat when Jack Plummer connected with Monroe Young for Cal’s first touchdown (on their 10th offensive possession) with 11:18 remaining in the game. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, and the Bears–trailing by five–were needing the unlikely combination of a second, go-ahead touchdown along with shutting down the Cardinal for the remainder of the game.

But Stanford resorted to trickery, bringing in Daniels for a designed run that saw him stripped of the football by Daniel Scott when he approached the line and tried to bounce outside.

Earby recovered Daniels fumble, but was stripped by Daniels when the pair crossed paths. That’s when Sirmon rushed up, grabbed the ball seamlessly on a bounce and raced in from 38 yards out.

“As a defensive player, you don’t get a lot of opportunities to score touchdowns and you have to enjoy them when you get them,” Sirmon said. “It was very neat especially considering the timing of it all.”

Five plays later, and after a pair of incompletions intensified the pressure on starting quarterback Tanner McKee, he was picked off by Scott, who returned the ball 18 yards, setting up Cal, first and goal at the nine.

The third, consecutive running play for freshman Jaydn Ott finished in the end zone, and Cal was in command, up 27-17 with 58 seconds remaining.

“We know how important this game is to us as a team, our administration and our support staff,” coach Justin Wilcox said. “Our fans and students were just incredible tonight. What an awesome environment.”

The game featured several, strategical twists as both teams desperate to change their fortunes, saw their coaching staffs pull out all the stops. The Bears, with an undisclosed, chain of command calling their plays after offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was dismissed earlier in the week, completely abandoned their run game in the first half.

Not surprising given the Bears’ desultory offensive line play, but eye-catching because Stanford came in allowing nearly six yards per rushing attempt, ranking them dead last among 131 FBS teams.

The result? Cal unleashed a short passing game that utilized Ott as a pass catcher with success, but several drops, and a critical end zone interception thrown by Plummer saw Cal go into the half trailing 10-6. The Bears failed to convert any of their first, five third down conversion attempts, and they suffered Plummer’s pick immediately after they finally converted on a fourth down attempt.

Stanford started Mitch Leigber at running back, a converted safety with no one to back him up because of a rash of injuries decimated the Cardinal’s depth chart. Leigber was terrific with 83 yards rushing on 22 carries, but when he needed a blow, coach David Shaw elected to lift McKee and bring on Daniels as a quarterback whose sole intent was to run the ball. But on Daniels seventh rush attempt the game switched as he was stripped and fumbled.

Cal (4-7, 2-6) finishes its season on Friday afternoon with a home game against UCLA.

DWIGHT GARNER PASSES, MOEN STATUE REVEALED: A 1,500 pound Statue of Cal hero Kevin Moen was debuted in a ceremony outside the stadium on Friday with the likeness of the rugby, football star holding the football high above his head as he did after crossing the goal line, concluding “The Play” in 1982.

At the ceremony, it was announced that Dwight Garner, an Oakland native and a freshman in ’82, passed away this week after battling prostate cancer in Florida. Garner, 58, handled the third lateral on “The Play” and was nearly tackled before shuttling the ball, and prolonging the play. It was his portion of the sequence that embittered Stanford players who felt Garner’s knee was down before he released the ball.

Mann earns first career shutout in 3-0 Barracuda win over Eagles

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Jeffery Viel celebrates with Strauss Mann after the San Jose Barracuda’s 3-0 win over the Colorado Eagles at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday NOV 16, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Strauss Mann is making the most of his opportunities.

The San Jose Barracuda goalie made 21 saves to record his first AHL career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Colrado Eagles on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won three out its past four games. San Diego has lost five of its past five six games and only have one win in the month of November.

A week after getting his first AHL win, Strauss didn’t need to do much to earn his first career shutout as San Diego weren’t able to generate many good scoring chances during the game. San Jose had the ice tilted in its favor the majority of the 60 minutes.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Barracuda broke through the deadlock just past the halfway mark of the second period. Montana Onyebuchi’s pass off the board landed on the foot of Jasper Weatherby and the former 2018 fourth round draft pick roofed a backhander past Gulls goalie Lukas Dostal for his second goal of the season at the 11:02 mark.

San Diego (5-9-0-0) were only able to generate five shots in the middle frame as San Jose’s defense played one of its best periods of the season.

San Jose (7-5-0-1) put the game away with two goals in third period, one early and one late to seal the Gulls fate.

William Eklund sprung an odd man rush for the ‘Cuda with a pass out to the neutral zone. Thomas Bordeleau skated into the Gulls zone on a two-on-one break with Scott Reedy. Bordeleau centered a pass over to Reedy who beat Dostal with a one-timer for his third goal of the season at the 5:00 mark.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal when Andrew Agozzino snapped a 10-game goaless draught. Reedy carried a turnover at the neutral zone into and centered a backhand pass over to the ‘Cuda captain who rifled home a wrist shot past Dostal for his second goal of the season at the 17:43 mark.

Dostal had a busy night as he made 39 saves on 42 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Mann 2) Weatherby 3) Reedy

UP NEXT: San Jose begin a five-game road trip with a two-game weekend series against the Tuscon Roadrunners starting on Saturday 11/19 at 6:00pm at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Warriors Lose Eighth Road Game To Phoenix 130-119

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Warriors Lose Eighth Road Game To Phoenix 130-119

The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) is guarded by the Phoenix Suns Damian Lee (left) in first half action at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wed Nov 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday evening the Golden State Warriors (6-9) traveled to the Valley of the Sun taking on the Phoenix Suns (9-5). Back on the road again the Warriors attempted to win their first road game of the season but stay winless on the road with a loss to the Suns 130-119. Golden State has lost eight games this season, seven of them on the road. They are solid at home but on the road it is a quandary.

The Warriors took an early lead in the first quarter of this game. Mid-way through the quarter the tables turned in favor of the Suns and the Warriors would not see another lead for the remainder of the quarter. The Suns led 36-33 after the first twelve minutes.

The second quarter was more of the same for the Warriors. They could not regain the lead. They needed to slow down the Suns and it just wasn’t happening. Second chance points for the Suns were hurting the Warriors despite guard Stephen Curry coming out on fire. Curry was keeping his team in the game but so far it wasn’t enough to get on top of Phoenix. The Suns kept the pressure on and led at the half 72-65.

Curry was phenomenal shooting 31 points in the first half. Kevon Looney had ten points but they would need Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole to step up in the second half. Defensively the Warriors fell short in the first half. 14 second chance shots for the Suns had been the downfall for Golden State in the first half. The rebounding for the Warriors was a glaring insufficiency and had to turn around in the second half if their first road win of the season was in their future.

The Suns wasted no time in creating a double digit lead less than three minutes into the third quarter 78-65. The Warriors continued to hang around and the good news for Golden State; Wiggins and Thompson were heating up climbing into double digits. With 3:44 left in the third Curry committed a technical and two Phoenix free throws followed. The Suns held onto the double digit lead going into the fourth quarter 103-89 their largest lead of the game.

Despite Curry finishing with 50 points the Suns were just the better team winning 130-119. So the search for the elusive road win continues. Thompson and Wiggins both shot for 14 points. Poole struggled playing for 26 minutes and coming up with two rebounds and two points.

All five starters for Phoenix shot in double digits with Cameron Payne the leader with 29 points. Devon Booker finished with 27.

The Warriors will travel home to take on the Knicks Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Eagles take down Barracuda in 3-1 win

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San Jose Barracuda forward Thomas Bordeleau chases the puck against the Colorado Eagles at the Teach CU Arena on Sunday NOV 13, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Colorado Eagles scored three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Sunday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose had its two-game winning streak snapped. Colorado has won four of its past five games.

Ben Tardif drew first blood for Colorado (7-5-1-0) late in the first period. He scored his first goal of the season at the 14:30 mark. Justin Scott and Ryan Wagner assisted on the goal.

After a scoreless second period, the Eagles put the game away with two goals in the third period.

Charles Hudson scored his team leading seventh goal of the season on the power play at the 8:16 mark. Brad Hunt and Alex Galchenyuk recorded assists on Hudson’s goal.

Anton Blidh put the game away with an empty net goal with 2:32 remaining after ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy pulled goalie Eetu Makiniemi for an extra attacker. It was Blidh’s fourth goal of the season.

San Jose (6-5-0-1) spoiled Jonas Johansson’s bid for a shutout with a power play goal from Tristian Robins with 35 seconds left in the game. Derrick Pouliot and captain Andrew Agozzino were credited with assists.

Johansson stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faces to earn the victory. Makiniemimade 34 saves on 36 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Colorado also went 1-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Tardif 2) Makiniemi 3) Johansson

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to the desert to take on the Tuscon Roadrunners on Saturday 11/19 at 6:00pm at Tuscon Convention Center Arena.