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Impact continue dominance over Quakes

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Photo credit: The Canadian Press via AP – Paul Chiasson

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose remained winless over Montreal, as the Quakes were held without a win in their last seven games as well Wednesday, 3-1.

It was San Jose’s first loss versus a Canadian team this season, as the Impact ended their four-game winless streak.

Just like last game versus Montreal, Chris Wondolowski scored and almost scored again. His game-high six shots tied a season-high and he remained after the game, the only current player on the team to score versus the Impact.

Dominic Oduro scored first for Montreal, after Matteo Mancosu’s shot went off Bingham in the 22nd minute.

10 minutes later, the Impact doubled their lead. Ignacio Piatti capitalized on a turnover, passed ahead to Mancosu and Mancosu returned the favor, sending the ball behind him to Piatti in the center.

In the second half, Wondolowski split the lead in the 62nd minute. It started when teammate Darwin Ceren took a long shot from beyond the box that goalie Evan Bush punched with his hands. Bush’s punch then went to Hassoun Camara’s head and to Wondolowski’s left foot.

Things looked even better for the Quakes when Laurent Ciman fouled Shea Salinas, resulting in a penalty kick. Wondolowski took the kick, but Bush made the save with his legs in the 85th minute.

Substitute Johan Venegas then essentially put the game out of reach in the 92nd minute. He took a side pass from Piatti and beat Bingham on his right side.

San Jose’s Alberto Quintero could be seen limping after the game after suffering seven fouls.

Game notes: The Quakes finished with 62.1% possession. San Jose next plays Real Salt Lake October 1 at 7:30pm.

Don’t throw a pie in the face of Sac Mayor Kevin Johnson

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

core-package

by Charlie O. Mallonee

On Wednesday night, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson was speaking at a charity dinner for his St. Hope Education Foundation when everything took an incredible twist of fate. A man ran at the mayor as he was speaking and hit Johnson in the face with pie.

Johnson reacted and took the assailant to the ground and at least one punch was thrown by the mayor and former NBA star before his security guard subdued the subject. Bystanders – attendees at the dinner – also assisted in taking down the suspect.

Johnson was not injured in the attack but was shaken and did have to change into a sweatshirt before continuing at the event.

The suspect – Sean Thompson – was taken to a local hospital for treatment according to a police statement. His booking photo shows what appears to be a cut on his left cheek that was treated with stitches.

Thompson told the Sacramento Bee that “Pie throwing was the least violent action I could take.” He also indicated that he would do it again if given the opportunity to do so.

Thompson also said during a telephone interview,”I don’t think that was an appropriate response to a pie to the face.”

Thompson who supposedly has been identified with the Occupy movement was looking to make a statement because he feels that Johnson has been too focused on downtown Sacramento and has not done enough to represent the rest of the people.

Crystal Strait, the mayor’s chief of staff, said, “Let me be clear, the mayor was assaulted.”

Pies in the face of politicians and celebrities has become a more popular form of protest around the world. It can also come with some negative consequences. Just ask Sean Thompson.

Thompson is being held in the Sacramento County Jail on a felony charge of assaulting a public official and misdemeanor charge of battery on school property. The incident took place on the campus of Sacramento High School.

Quakes continue streak over Rapids

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~ Photo credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/Colorado Rapids

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ Several streaks were continued as San Jose and Colorado drew Saturday 0-0.

The Quakes now have a 14-game unbeaten streak (7-0-7), including a third straight shutout versus the Rapids. San Jose’s winless streak was extended to five.

Colorado had their third straight shutout at home.

The first half was an even 50/50 in terms of possession.

Both goalies made big plays in the first half.

In the 24th minute, Rapids’ Dominique Badji had a breakaway but David Bingham stood his ground. Bingham got his hands on the ball and when Badji got his feet back on the ball, Badji kicked the ball across the net.

All the cards in the game went to Colorado in relatively quick succession. Former Quake Sam Cronin, Dillon Powers and Axel Sjoberg received yellow cards for unsporting behavior.

San Jose threatened late in the first half. In the 42nd minute, Darwin Ceren and Fatai Alashe shot at net, Chris Wondolowski with the assist on the latter one. Then in the following minute, Tim Howard stopped Simon Dawkins right up front with a hook save.

In the second half, Bingham was forced to make saves in the 67th and 68th minute.

After the 74th minute, it was the Rapids’ defense that kept them in the match.

The Quakes continued with attempts near the end of the second half. Quincy Amarikwa had the most with attempts in the 80th, 84th and 93rd minute, but two were blocked and one missed.

Andres Imperiale also had a blocked attempt in the 83rd minute and made a tackle in the box in the 86th minute.

Game notes: Badji had a season-high five shots. San Jose next plays Kansas City September 24 at 7:30pm.

Oakland A’s trade report: The A’s traded Coco Crisp to the Indians

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by Jerry Feitelberg

thenewssickstadium.BlogSpot.com file photo: A favorite Coco Crisp photo during happier days with the Oakland A’s

HOUSTON–Fan favorite Coco Crisp is no longer an Oakland Athletic. Crisp was not in the lineup Tuesday night in Houston and  he packed up his locker and took his gear and left the ballpark.  The trade was announced by the A’s. Coco had the right to reject the trade as he was a 10-5 man. Coco spent the last five years with the A’s and waived the right to reject the trade.

The A’s send Marc Rzepczynski to the Nats

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland-The A’s traded lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski to the Washington National Thursday. The A’s will receive a prospect, Max Schrock, in return. Schrock is 21 years old. Rzepcyzinski had an ERA of 3.00 in 56 appearances. The 30-year old lefty had a ground ball percentage of 70.5% which was second-best in the Majors this year.

Quakes breathe fresh air

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Photo credit: USATSI

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ It seems San Jose likes their neighbors to the North, as they finally got their first road win this season and first against the Vancouver Whitecaps in their home all-time, 2-1.

The Quakes’ last win also came against a Canadian opponent, Toronto FC, making San Jose 2-0 this season against their Canadian foes.

Other similarities between the two games, were the score, the goal scorers and the timing. In both 2-1 matches, Quincy Amarikwa scored in the first half and Simon Dawkins doubled the score in the second half.

San Jose moved one point from a playoff spot as they extended their unbeaten streak to five games with their second win in a month.

Both sides hit the crossbar. In the 12th minute, the Quakes’ Fatai Alashe hit the crossbar.

While the keeper helped, San Jose got their first lead in Vancouver in over four years. Off a corner, Amarikwa headed the ball to goalkeeper David Ousted. With his hands on the ball, Ousted stumbled back into the net, but dropped the ball to make it 1-0 in the 14th minute.

In the 60th minute, Simon Dawkins made it 2-0 into a wide open net. Alberto Quintero got the assist.

The Whitecaps’ Blas Perez hit the crossbar in the 78th minute.

Bingham just missed his sixth shutout as Vancouver attacked relentlessly in stoppage time and broke through. Nicolas Mezquida’s shot was saved in the 93rd minute but not the 94th. Off a corner by Christian Bolanos, Kendall Watson headed the ball to the near corner where it bounced before Mezquida used a diving header to put the ball above Bingham. After that, Watson had a close header.

Game notes: have now held opponents to solo goals in their last eight games. In his 50th start with the team, Cordell Cato played 90 minutes for now the sixth consecutive match. First 2-0 win since April 13.

ICC Comes to Levi’s Stadium as International Powerhouses Collide

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

the guardian.com photo: Liverpool’s Divock Origi celebrates after scoring with teammate in win over Milan at Levis Stadium on Saturday night

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Liverpool Football Club topped Associazione Calcio Milan 2-0  in Saturday night’s International Champions Cup at Levi’s Stadium. After a nil-nil first half, the Premier League side rode a 59th minute goal Man of the Match Divok Origi to beat its Serie A foe. Roberto Firmino also scored for the Reds in their second fixture in the States following a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at the Rose Bowl Thursday.

Liverpool, looking to prep for a rebound in Premier league play after ranking eighth on the table last season, dominated play with its pass-heavy offense forcing the pace. Despite the technical advantage, neither the Reds nor Milan couldn’t create enough offensive rhythm to find the back of the net until the second half.

Origi came on in the 46th minute for striker and star Daniel Sturridge. The 21-year-old Belgian, starting his second season with Liverpool after stealing the occasional start from Sturridge, proved his worth by opening the scoring in the 59th minute. Origi took Alberto Moreno’s feed from the left wing and bent it perfectly inside the far post.

Origi’s strike opened the floodgates for the Reds, with Firmino finishing off a beautiful strike in the 73rd minute. The confident Brazilian slid to tap in a ball redirected to him, finish his goal by striking a leisurely pose in celebration. Sheyi Ojo slid the pass that was directed back to Firmino for the doubling goal.

While the win gave Liverpool its first ICC win, Milan was coming off a 8-6 shootout win over Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga. Manager Vincenzo Montella wasn’t distressed over the loss in his first season at the helm of AC Milan, but instead hopes it helps the once-mighty Rossoneri prepare for the Serie A season starting August 21st. Milan finished seventh in the Serie A table and have struggled to match clubs like Juventus during the transfer window.

Milan takes a stab at Chelsea August 3rd in Minneapolis while Liverpool wraps up its ICC run by returning to England for a meeting with FC Barcelona on the 6th. Before that though, they’ll face AS Roma Tuesday in St. Louis. The Premier League kicks off for the Reds on August 14th, with Arsenal welcoming Liverpool to Emirates Stadium.

Orlando and San Jose end even

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~ Photo credit: Orlando City SC

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ In the first large event since the June 12 Orlando shooting, there were no true losers with each team earning a point, as the game ended in dramatic fashion in a 2-2 draw Saturday.

It was San Jose’s first game on Orlando City’s SC home turf and the opposing team was probably more favored than usual considering recent events.

With tributes even before the game, the Quakes partook with Orlando Pride shirts, patches, black armbands and multiple fundraising efforts.

At game end, Orlando remained unbeaten at home with a five game unbeaten streak and at least two goals in their last four MLS games. The Quakes ended a three-game scoreless drought with their most goals scored since May 11.

Orlando has scored at least one goal in all of their games this season.

The first half saw at least five shots for at least each team, but none on target. Orlando had the majority of possession.

San Jose’s Marvell Wynne started the game the way he ended last game, with a speedy clearance in the 3rd minute against Cyle Larin.

The Quakes’ Fatai Alashe and Shaun Francis were issued yellow cards in the 37th and the 39th minutes.

Both teams scored two goals in the second half. San Jose had the majority of possession.

The Quakes’ Victor Bernardez got a yellow in the 46th minute. From the 49th minute on, Orlando got their three yellow cards.

History was made in the league when play was stopped in the 49th minute for a moment of silence for the 49 victims from June 12. Fans held cards around the stadium to represent all the colors of the rainbow.

The scoring opened up in the 67th minute. From straightaway, Orlando’s Seb Hines headed the ball from Adrian Winter’s corner kick into the inside left netting.

San Jose’s Chad Barrett subbed in in the 78th minute and like teammate Shea Salinas who subbed in in the 62nd minute, they would soon contribute critically.

In the 85th minute, the Quakes’ moment came. Salinas sent an innocent looking pass in from beyond the corner of the penalty box. It became dangerous when Barrett then got the ball at a similar position to Hines, near the center of the goal box line. His header bounced past a late diving Joe Bendki, as it hit the ceiling of the net. Barrett’s enthusiasm after his goal was emphatic. It was his first goal in six games played with San Jose.

The teams were not done yet though, as both scored again in stoppage time.

It was a more powerful shot that entered the net in the 91st minute. Orlando’s Carlos Rivas also sent an innocent looking pass to Julio Baptista. His second touch earned him the goal, as goalie David Bingham got his hands on the ball, but it was not enough as it went to the right back of the net. Baptista took off his shirt in celebration and was later penalized for delaying the restart of play.

Surely the game was now over. However, Salinas made sure he had the final say in the 94th minute, as he was due. It started with a goal kick and the Quakes’ did not score until Salinas’ sliding third touch during the sequence, which was interspersed after touches by teammates and Orlando.

Game notes: San Jose’s Anibal Godoy and Alberto Quintero rejoined the team after their stint with Panama. They each had a shot. Teammate Simon Dawkins led the Quakes with four shots. San Jose is still winless on the road and Saturdays this season. They hope to break the Saturday streak in their next matchup, which will be another California Clasico on June 25th at 7pm.

“We need to win a game”

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(Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

SAN JOSE– San Jose Sharks’ Coach Peter DeBoer spoke to the media Saturday morning after an optional skate.

When asked about the significance of the first Stanley Cup Final in San Jose in 25 years, DeBoer replied, “That’s probably something that we’ll reflect on when everything’s done. I think in the moment right now, we need to win a game,” and again emphasized, “the time to reflect on how important the Stanley Cup is I think, after the season’s over…right now, we’re trying to win a game. We’re trying to win the Stanley Cup.”

However, the hurdles for the San Jose Sharks became a little more challenging to overcome, as the injury bug bit the team harder.

One man out

In response to the first question asked, DeBoer confirmed what many feared after forward Tomas Hertl did not practice in skate Friday morning. “He’s out tonight. Next man up for us. He’s arguably been maybe our best player through the first two games.”

Hertl was seen on Friday but did not take the ice. At the time, DeBoer called it a “maintenance day.”

On who would replace him, DeBoer was non committal and said, “We’ve got a couple of guys that have played in that hole before. Melker has before and so has Zubie. I think the one thing with those two guys, you’ve got a guy that will hound the puck and work for it. [Thornton and Pavelski] pretty much take care of the rest. I think we’ve got a lot of options because of who we’re sticking them in with.”

Karlsson said after practice on Friday, “If they want to throw me in there, I’m ready for it. I’m ready to go.”

Fans will have to wait to see who will be the “next man up” for sure.

Muhammad Ali

Another gift of Muhammad Ali was stories he had people telling after he passed away at the age of 74 last night, including one from DeBoer. The media were treated as DeBoer said, “I wouldn’t normally wouldn’t share this with you but considering the circumstances….and how this transcended the sport and how many people he touched, it was an appropriate story to tell.”

“We lost a great person. I’m not a collector of sports memorabilia, but I have four things in my basement….and I’ve got a Koran signed by Muhammad Ali, personalized.” Ali and his entourage had showed up at DeBoer’s prom. Later, upon request, Ali allowed Deboer and his friends into his room. Re the Koran, Deboer said, “He wasn’t preaching or trying to convert us, he just personalized each one for us, asked us some questions about what we were doing. It was an unbelievable life experience for me.” DeBoer left the media laughing with his final sentence regarding his story. “I know you guys have the time too, to listen.”

Game 3

When a reporter commented on it being a must game and how DeBoer keeps the team from feeling enormous pressure, he said they do it themselves. “If you’ve seen our group, they tend to keep each other pretty loose. They know when to dial in and be ready to play and when to relax. You wouldn’t know that we’re in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup, and the situation we’re in, and that’s a good sign for us.” It will have to be, as the game may likely reach heights comparable to the team’s first ever Stanley Cup game in Pittsburgh, based on how long the fans in San Jose have been waiting for this moment.

On feeding off the fans’ emotion and energy, Deboer replied, “It has to be an advantage. It’s been an advantage the entire playoffs for us, and we’ve got to make sure…the fans are going to do their part and we’ve got to do our part tonight.”

The team knows what is at stake. When asked about members of the team speaking out, DeBoer said, “you sit outside our dressing room at tough times this year, and you hear multiple voices of guys, not just the guys wearing letters and I think that’s the strength of our group.”

Ali + Game 3

“Rainbows are born of thunderstorms…,” one of the quotes about Ali.

Remember that game when the Sharks went into the third period trailing 2-0 and came back to win?

If the Sharks can treat Game 3 like that period, that would be a good start. The Stanley Cup might just be waiting at the other end of the rainbow.

 

Our PK’s been a slow build all year..it’s been really good at the right times this year, especially in the playoffs…you know, It’s important you win the special teams battle. There hasn’t really been a special teams battle yet in this series, but you never say never, and you anticipate at some point it’ll be really important…”

 

Sharks come back again, but lose in OT

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(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ It was a bright moment for San Jose and Justin Braun, but just as quickly, the game went back the Pittsburgh Penguins’ way, as they took Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday, 2-1.

Rookie Conor Sheary scored his first career overtime goal 2:35 beyond regulation. The play was set up by a Sidney Crosby faceoff win at the beginning where Crosby passed it behind to Kris Letang. Letang then found Sheary who shot once he was inside the edge of the left faceoff circle. The puck went past goalie Martin Jones, shielded by Patric Hornqvist.

It was Sheary’s second goal in back-to-back games. Chris Johnston reported, “Sidney Crosby says the play that set up Conor Sheary’s OT goal was drawn up on the ice right before. Told Letang not to one-time the puck.”

Not the bounce-back win the Sharks wanted, they are now 5-2 after losing in the playoffs. San Jose is now down 2-0 and Pittsburgh up 2-0 for the first time this postseason.

The Sharks came into the third period down 1-0, outshot 23-11. San Jose’s Tomas Hertl had hit the goalpost three times. The Penguins were 48-1 leading after two periods.

Coach Peter DeBoer switched the Sharks’ second liner Patrick Marleau with third liner Joel Ward.

Both Ward and Logan Couture in individual battles against the boards, Couture passed the puck up high. Then from beyond the right faceoff circle, Braun, playing in another game before heading to his father-in-law’s funeral, finally beat the iron to tie the game for his team at 15:55. The puck went between Carl Hagelin and goalie Matt Murray before hitting the post.

In the first, Pittsburgh had too much possession time in front of Jones, but San Jose was able to emerge unscathed.7:46 to 18:52

On his first shift, the Sharks’ Matt Nieto, in his return to the lineup after injury, used his speed to start in motion what would be San Jose’s first shot on goal. That shot came from Ward after Nieto passed to Chris Tierney.

None of the Sharks’ first two lines had a shot in the first for the second game in a row except Tomas Hertl, who had two.

A Brent Burns’ (who led San Jose with four shots) turnover led to a left post shot by Chris Kunitz.

The Sharks killed off another power play.

San Jose had six shots in the final minute, half of them blocked and ended the period with too many men on the ice, but there was no call.

The Penguins’ Phil Kessel led all with three shots in the first period. Letang led in ice time with 9:57.

Hertl hit the goalpost for the third time at 4:10 of the second.

The HBK line then broke through that same amount of time later, at 8:20.

Roman Polak’s pass went to Kessel instead of Brenden Dillon. Dillon was able to recover the puck, but lost it to a chasing Hagelin, who passed it to Nick Bonino. Polak could not catch up with Bonino and fell, the puck hitting his stick and going right to an awaiting Kessel on the other side.

30 seconds after the goal, Paul Martin was called for another penalty, but the Sharks killed that off too. Pittsburgh is now 1-of-16 on the power play.

San Jose got a power play at 18:49. Burns (his second shot of the period), Thornton and Pavelski each got attempts during it, with Thornton’s shot going wide.

In the third, Tierney hit the crossbar on a breakaway with 15:52 left.

The Sharks held the Penguins to single digit shots (6) in the third wit their highest period total in the game (9).

Game notes: The Penguins are now 4-2 in overtime during the playoffs. San Jose only played one other beyond regulation game, but that went three rounds. The 20 regulation shots were the Sharks’ third lowest playoff total this postseason (Paul Gackle) with their record then now (0-2-1). Both teams will now take a two day break before playing Game 3 Wednesday 5pm on the West Coast.