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Sorenson Breaks Out in Barracuda’s 4-2 Win

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Following his hat trick in the San Jose Barracuda’s 4-2 win over the Tucson Roadrunners Marcus Sorensen was nowhere to be found in the Sharks Ice locker room. When a teammate saw the throng of press awaking the Swedish forward, her quipped that Sorenson was already in the San Jose Sharks locker room. With a performance like Thursday night’s it’s only a matter of time.

“I think we really saw what he’s capable of tonight,” said Barracuda coach Roy Sommer.

While teammate Matt Willows scored the first goal of the contest, after that the game was all Sorensen. The free agent signee out of the Swedish Hockey League scored his first strike to give San Jose a 2-1, beating the Tucson netminder gloveside on a snipe 6:40 into the second period. 3:39 into the third period, Sorenson converted a pass from linemate Nikita Jevpalovs for a power play strike for a 3-1. The Roadrunners would add a goal midway through the third but Sorenson would take a Danny O’Reagan pass following a block for a shorthanded goal with 6:46 left in regulation for the trifecta.

“Every guy I played with today was really good,” said Sorenson. “That gave me confidence. I hope I gave them confidence.”

Not bad for a player who was just hours removed from being cut from his first National Hockey League team. Earlier in the morning, Sorenson was returned to the Barracuda from Sharks camp, a minor disappointment after fans expected the Champions Hockey League MVP would be a breakout star.

“When he came down I looked at him and said ‘How you doing,” recalls Sommer. “He said ‘I’m good, no problem’. He wasn’t one of those guys that you have to pull aside into your office and pump his tires up. He’s an older, mature guy. He’s won championships over there. He knows what’s going on.”

It’s an unfair expectation, but one that has become a welcome reality for Sharks fans. For the past two seasons, the parent club’s international scouting team has found impact player from overseas in Melker Karlsson and Joonas Donskoi.

“He’s like a Karlsson or a Donskoi in that he just goes,” said Sommer. “I think he was trying to do too much, here he just went out and played.”

Fans expected Sorenson to compete a spot currently up for grabs between Barracuda teammates Barclay Goodrow, Nikolay Goldobin and Micheal Haley. It won’t be there spot for long if Sorenson continues to show the speed and knack for scoring he displayed Thursday night.

“He was the best player out there,” said Sommer after the game. “The big guys (Sharks executives) were out here watching tonight. That’s the best I’ve seen him play since he’s been here (in North America). He made plays. Up there (with the Sharks) he was trying to do too much.”

Another Barracuda who didn’t quite turn heads at Sharks camp also played a pivotal role Thursday. Mantas Armalis rebounded from a rough road game against the Colorado Avalanche to hold Tucson to two goals while showing good lateral movement. Armalis is still trying to get a feel for the smaller ice surface of North America and the extra effort goalies are called upon to perform with the closer corner boards.

“I’m not used to playing the puck,” said Armalis. “Goalies aren’t used as much. Probably because the corners are a bit farther away. That’s one adaptation.”

The Barracuda will continue the preseason with a Sunday afternoon contest at Sharks Ice. They’ll most likely be closer to full strength as training camp continues on and more regulars are inserted into the lineup.

Nieto seals the Sharks’ third straight overtime win

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~ Photo credit: Canadian Press

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ Matt Nieto sealed the deal, in what seems to be typical preseason so far, with 39.6 seconds left, in the second 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday.

From the blue line, Brenden Dillon passed to Nieto and Vancouver made a line change. Nieto then made a quick pass up ice to Nikolay Goldobin and was able to take advantage and beat the two new players rushing in, setting up a 2-on-1. Goldobin passed back to Nieto as he sped in and did not miss the net. It was Goldobin’s second assist in as many games.

Nieto not only notched his first two goals of the preseason in the game, but he got San Jose its first power play goal.

The Sharks were outshot for the first time this season. They remain perfect on the penalty kill (11-11).

In San Jose goalie Martin Jones’ preseason debut he made key saves during his 26 of 28. The Sharks were outshot 12-3 in the third period as they committed two penalties.

Multiple players continued their success from the last time the teams met. For San Jose, Kevin Labanc had his second goal and second assist, Chris Tierney got his second assist and David Schlemko got his third assist. For the Canucks, it was Anton Rodin’s second goal.

There were a number of penalties during the game, the most coming during the second. The Sharks went 2 for 6 on the power play, while Vancouver went 0 for 5. .

San Jose had mixed results with their first two power play opportunities.

During the first, with the Canucks shorthanded, but the 3-2 man advantage on the play, Joseph Labate crossed the blue line with the puck. He then sent it across ice to Tuomo Ruutu, who scored from the left faceoff circle off the goalpost at 3:44.

The Sharks capitalized on their second power play though. Labanc passed the puck between two defenders to Julius Bergman, who shot at net. The puck ended up hitting Tierney and went straight to Nieto, who powered the puck past goalie Ryan Miller at 10:25.

Vancouver went back up at 16:22. Olli Juolevi fought past his defenders to send the puck along the boards to Bo Horvat. Horvat then sent the puck behind him Rodin right in front of net.

In the second, Jones saved four consecutive shots from 3:51 to 4:27.

The Canucks had a big shot advantage early in the period, but by the time it ended, were outshot 9-8.

San Jose did not get their first shot until 5:11 (Tomas Hertl) and had their second shot at 8:47 (Bergman).

The Sharks then scored their second power play goal, Labanc scoring just before the final minute of the period. He sent the puck along the boards to Tierney behind the net, who shot it back to Labanc behind him. Labanc got his own rebound as he went around Miller and put the puck into the net. Schlemko got the second assist.

Vancouver got their first shot in the third at 6:33. They had another sequence of four shots against Jones, though one was missed, from 6:33-7:06.

San Jose’s last clean shot in the frame came at 8:10.

The Canucks’ only clean shot in overtime came 57 seconds into the period.

Game notes: The Sharks next host the Anaheim Ducks October 5 at 7:30pm.

Athletics end Mariners’ playoff hopes with 10-inning win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, October 1, 2016

With nowhere to go themselves, the Oakland Athletics played the spoiler role to the hilt on Saturday, edging Seattle 9-8 in 10 innings at Safeco Field, and eliminated the Mariners from the AL Wild Card race.

The loss also extends Seattle’s streak of missing the postseason to 15 seasons. The last time the Mariners reached the AL playoffs was 2001, when they won 116 games.

Joey Wendle had the game-winning hit for Oakland, a one-out double into the right-center field gap off Mariners’ reliever Edwin Diaz (0-4).

Bruce Maxwell opened the Athletics 10th with a double off Diaz, who entered the game in the eighth inning. Chad Pinder replaced Maxwell as a pinch-runner and, after Matt Olson struck out, scored on Wendle’s double.

A’s closer Ryan Madson (6-7) shut down the Mariners in the 10th to get the win,

Khris Davis cracked a one-out homer – his 42nd – that gave Oakland a 7-4 lead in the seventh.

Earlier, the Mariners tied the game at 7-7 on a two-run homer by Nelson Cruz that capped a three-run rally. Oakland took an 8-7 lead in the eighth on an RBI single by Marcus Semien – his fourth hit of the game.

Ben Gamel’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth off A’s reliever Ryan Dull.

Jharel Cotton started for Oakland but left after giving up Robinson Cano’s 39th home run of the season, a two-run shot. Liam Hendriks replaced Cotton and held the Mariners at bay for the moment.

The Athletics and Mariners end their seasons Sunday afternoon.

The Warriors lose the first pre-season game of the year to the Toronto Raptors

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Vancouver, British Columbia- The Golden State Warriors lost to the Toronto Raptors 97-93 in the first practice game of the 2016-2017 season. The Warriors added superstar Kevin Durant to the team in the hopes of reclaiming the NBA championship. However, they lost six key players due to salary constraints. Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes are now with the Dallas Mavericks. Backup centers Festus Ezeli and Mo Speights with the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers. Leandro Barbosa went to Phoenix, and Brandon Rush signed with Minnesota. The big question facing the Warriors is how well will the new pieces fit in with the club. The new acquisitions Zaza Pachulia, David West, along with holdovers Ian Clark, Anderson Varajeo, James Michael McAdoo, must find a way to blend in with the Warriors big guns. Those guns are Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston.

The Warriors play looked ragged at times. Kevin Durant was just two-for-nine from the floor, and he scored just nine points in the game. Steph Curry had eight points and was one-for-five from three-point range. Klay Thompson led the team in scoring with sixteen and Draymond Green had two. The starters played in the first half only and the second unit and players trying to make the club played the entire second half. The Raptors, on the other hand, used their regulars for the full game.

After the game Warriors coach, Steve Kerr had this to say about his team’s effort “we looked like a team that had four days of practice.” Talking about Kevin Durant, Kerr remarked ‘he’s going to fit right into what we do.

The Warriors next game will be at the Oracle Arena Tuesday night October 4th and will feature a Steph Curry Back-to-back MVP Bobblehead. The Warriors will travel to the SAP Center October 6th to play the LA Clippers and the giveaway that night will be a Klay Thompson San Jose Sharks Bobblehead.

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.