Could Niners Fall in Trap Game?

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Photo credit: 49ers.com

By Joe Lami

The Niners are coming out of a prizefight, and they’re beaten up like it too after last Sunday’s shootout with the Saints. The Niners’ defense will be without Richard Sherman (hamstring), D.J. Jones (ankle), Dee Ford (quad, hamstring), Jaquiski Tartt (ribs), and K’Waun Williams (concussion). Controlling their own destiny for the NFC one-seed, the banged-up Niners can’t afford to overlook the 4-8 Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.

And they shouldn’t, Kyle Shanahan will have the Niners prepared to face his old squad.

The Falcons might be 4-8, but they bring the seventh-best passing offense into Levi’s this Sunday.

Matt Ryan has been good, but not great this year, nothing like he was under Shanahan. He’s completing 66.7% of his passes for 22 TDs and 12 INTs for a 93.4 passer rating on the year. Meanwhile, Garoppolo’s completed 69.5% of his passes for 25 TDs and 11 INTs for a 103.9 rating.

Ryan has one of the most dangerous targets, with Julio Jones on the field. Jones was limited in practice earlier in the week, but returned to full practice on Friday, indicating he’s ready to go.

Jones enters Sunday seventh in the NFL with 1,016 receiving yards, and he becomes extra dangerous with how short-handed the secondary will be. Last week the 49ers surrendered 134 yards and a touchdown to Michael Thomas, Jones will attempt to do the same.

While the Falcons offense has been decent this year, much better than their 4-8 record indicates, their downfall has been their defense. The Falcons have the 26th scoring defense, the 21st total defense, and the 25th 3rd down defense.

All of this mediocrity should add up to a field day for the Niners offense. After putting up 48 on another elite defense last week, they should be eager to go. Expect Matt Breida to return to more carries after last week’s six carry 54-yard performance.

This game could smell a little bit of a trap game, especially with the injuries the Niners have on defense. As long as the defense plays alright, the offense should have no problem putting up points on the Falcons. If the defense struggles without half it’s starting rotation, they could be in for a shootout.

Knicks Stun Kings, Win 103-101

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Photo credit: @KnicksNationCP

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings are flying. After taking down formidable opponents in Texas in the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, the Kings came home and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. So, the Kings were coming off a three-game win streak and facing the dysfunctional New York Knicks in Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings did what they should have. Behind the scoring from Buddy Hield (14) and Nemanja Bjelica (6), the Kings jumped out to an early 32-20 lead over the Knicks. The Knicks leading scorer was Julius Randle, who managed to score 9 points. The Kings managed to shoot 71.4% from downtown and that played a big role in the early lead. Going into the second quarter, the Kings had a comfortable 32-20 lead.

In the second quarter, the Knicks made a little run at the Kings’ lead. Thanks to more scoring from Julius Randle, the Knicks put a dent in the Kings’ 12-point first-quarter lead. The Knicks put up 25 second quarter points to make it a 54-45. Buddy Hield continued to torch the Knicks and finished the first half with 22 points. Nemanja Bjelica followed behind Hield as the King’s second-leading scorer with 9 points. The Knicks were led by Julius Randle who was the game’s second-leading scorer with 17 first-half points. The Kings didn’t play their best first half of the year, but considering the opponent, it got the job done. In the second half, the Kings would look to put away the worst team in the NBA.

The third quarter was not the best for the Kings. Playing against the worst team in the NBA, the Kings were unable to increase their lead. In fact, their lead decreased by one point in the quarter as the Knicks outscored the Kings 27-26 in the third. Buddy Hield added 5 points to his total in the third to bring his total to 27 on the night. Julius Randal continued his hot hand in the game to give him 22 on the night. The Kings would take a 80-72 lead into the final quarter of action.

In the fourth quarter, things got a little dicey for the Kings. The Knicks, the worst team in the NBA, managed to make up the deficit coming into the quarter and tie the game at 93 with 5:15 remaining in the game. The Kings had to get back to work if they wanted to keep their win streak alive. Unfortunately for Kings fans, they weren’t able to do that. The Knicks came roaring back in the fourth to beat the Kings.

It was easily the worst loss of the season for the Kings, who should have defeated the Knicks. Julius Randal led the victorious Knicks with 24 points followed by Elfrid Payton with 16. Leading the Kings in defeat was Buddy Hield with 34 points followed by Harrison Barnes with 15. The Kings and Luke Walton will remember this loss. In a game against the worst team in the NBA the Kings couldn’t hold an 8 point lead going into the final quarter. The final in Sacramento was the Kings 101 and the Knicks 103.

Up Next: The Kings travel to San Francisco to play the Warriors on Sunday evening at 5:30 pm PST.

The Knicks stay West and play the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 7 pm CST.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adios Raiders, Buena Suerte!

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cbssports.com illustration: Artists rendering of the future home of the Las Vegas Raiders located on the strip. The new stadium is expected to be ready by 2020.

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND — This Sunday, the 15th of December 2019, the Oakland Raiders will play their last home game at the Oakland Coliseum after 60 years and three Super Bowl titles, 1977 and 1981 in Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum and 1984 in Los Angeles as LA Raiders. No more tailgate parties, no more Black Hole fans with the spiked painted hair, the Gothic look and the colorful fan base. After this Sunday, the Bay Area is going to be a 49ers world when it comes to the NFL. It you want to watch an NFL game, you must go to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

I covered the 1981 Superbowl when the Raiders and the Eagles traveled to the New Orleans Super Dome, now the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome, home of the New Orleans Saints. Great memories of the great city of New Orleans during that Super Bowl,the food,the people,the music,the total ambiance of that huge place right there in the middle of the city,when New Orleans was thriving, years prior to the category 5 Katrina hurricane who devastated this great historic city. After Katrina over 200,000 people left New Orleans, but since then, the “Birthplace of Jazz”has made a comeback.

The 1981 Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders featured popular players such as Cliff Branch, Raymond Chester, Howie Long, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw and Jim Plunkett as a quarterback — not too shabby. They took it to the Philadelphia Eagles and defeated them 27-10. There are great memories of this team that always reflected the blue-collar workers of the East Bay.

With all respect to all the players who suited up in the Silver and Black for many decades, the central figure of the history of this franchise was Mr.Al Davis — the controversial outspoken and brash Al Davis. One-of-a-kind, he was a Coach, General Manager and Owner and the man that coined the phrase “Just Win Baby”. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1982. There has been nobody like him in the NFL, and probably never will.

We have the memories of this great franchise in the Bay Area with a solid fan base for many years, even after Mr.Davis moved his team to Los Angeles. Many fans traveled there for their home games. The loyalty of Raiders fans is notorious. Some called it a “cult”. Whatever the Raiders have, it worked in Oakland. Their crowds and tailgates who where all about beer, nachos and ribs, not cheese, wine and quiche like other teams. They represented thousands and thousands of hard-working people all over the east bay.

Sunday, the Raiders will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the historic last game at Oakland before they play the last two games on the road and open the 2020-21 season at a new city, a new facility and a new name at Allegiant Stadium (65,000) in Las Vegas as the Las Vegas Raiders.

Whatever you think about the Raiders (love them or hate them), they will be missed. The City of Oakland will miss the revenue the Raiders generated, as they are running out of teams with the departure of the Warriors and the A’s situation as of today. Honestly, it is like the territory of the Twilight Zone.

Adios Raiders and Buena Suerte in Las Vegas!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play-by-play announcer for the Oakland A’s, the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum, and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week.

San Jose State hosts Stanford on Saturday for Brew and Vine

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State men’s basketball team will play host to a South Bay standoff against Stanford at 4 PM on Saturday. The game will be broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s game.

BREW AND VINE
The Spartans will have a Brew and Vine beer and wine tasting event on Saturday as part of the Stanford game. Admission is $30 and includes a ticket to both games of the men’s and women’s doubleheader on Saturday, access to the baseline Hardwood Lounge, a custom SJSU tasting glass, pours from a wide selection of breweries and vineyards plus food and snacks.

At the door, tickets to Brew and Vine must be purchased in addition to a game ticket. Save time and money and buy online.

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS (3-7, 0-2 MW)
PPG: 64.7 | FG%: 39.7 | 3FG%: 27.4 | FT%: 65.1

NOTES: The Spartans went 0-2 to open MW play last week, but the record doesn’t tell the story. SJSU battled the top two teams in the league, with Utah State pulling away late and San Deigo State needing a buzzer-beater three to down the Spartans. Seneca Knight is averaging a team-high 12.6 ppg while shooting 44.6% from the floor. Omari Moore has started three of the last four games and has emerged as SJSU’s top defensive guard.

STANFORD CARDINAL (8-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
PPG: 75.6 | FG%: 50.4 | 3FG%: 41.2 | FT%: 71.4

SERIES: SJSU trails, 13-39 (Tied, 9-9, in San Jose)

LAST: SJSU lost last year, 78-73, at Stanford

NOTES: Stanford opened the season with seven straight wins before falling, 68-67, to Butler at a Thanksgiving week tournament in Kansas City. The Cardinal are outscoring opponents by 17.9 points per game this year. Oscar da Silva is averaging a team-high 16.6 points per game, followed by Tyrell Terry’s 15.7 points per game.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: CBS Sports Network with Ed Cohen and Pete Gillen

STREAM: www.cbssports.com/cbs-sports-network

RADIO: Justin Allegri on the call through TuneIn.com and the TuneIn app. Search for “San Jose St. Basketball”.

HEARTBREAK AT SAN DIEGO STATE
SJSU suffered a heartbreaking loss at SDSU on Dec. 8. Up by a point with five seconds remaining, the Spartans saw the Aztecs’ Malachi Flynn hit a deep three-pointer at the buzzer for the win … Ralph Agee posted his first double-double for the Spartans with 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench … SJSU held SDSU to just 31.7% shooting … SJSU matched a season-low with 11 turnovers.

SAN JOSE STATE STYMIES GRAMBLING STATE
Grambling State entered the game on Nov. 20 with the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, averaging 114 points over its first three games … The Spartans held the Tigers 38 points under their average in an 83-76 win at the Provident Credit Union Event Center … Grambling State was 1-of-10 shooting on threes.

BALANCED EFFORT IN WIN OVER SIMPSON
The Spartans had 13 different players score in an 85-60 win over Simpson on Nov. 17 … Zach Chappell came off the bench to score a season-high 14 points, including a pair of threes … Seneca Knight was 6-of-8 shooting for 15 points … Craig LeCesne added 13 points in 19 minutes … Ralph Agee posted 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting … Harminder Dhaliwal made his collegiate debut and had two points and two rebounds in six minutes.

SAN JOSE STATE STUNS HOFSTRA IN SEASON OPENER
SJSU opened the 2019-20 season with a bang, defeating Hofstra on the road, 79-71, on Nov. 6 … Hofstra won 27 games last year, SJSU lost 27 games … In his Spartan debut, JC transfer and former Wake Forest guard, Richard Washington, posted a team-high 23 points off the bench on 8-of-13 shooting. He scored 12 of his 23 points in the final four minutes, including a stretch of three straight threes to put the game away … Craig LeCesne had his first career double-double with a career-high 19 points plus 11 rebounds … It was the Spartans’ first win in a road opener since 2010-11 when SJSU topped Eastern Washington, 67-60 … SJSU snapped a 21-game road losing streak dating back to 2017-18 … The Spartans won on the East Coast for the first time since 2001-02, when SJSU defeated Fairleigh Dickinson at the BCA Tournament hosted by NC State in Raleigh, N.C.

San Jose State football signs Brennan to 3-year contract extension

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Photo credit: @MWCConnection

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State and its football head coach Brent Brennan agreed to a three-year contract extension for Brennan to coach the Spartans through the 2024 season. Marie Tuite, the Spartans’ AD, made the announcement.

With Brennan in his third season as head coach, the 2019 Spartans were one of 13 NCAA Division I FBS teams to win four more games during the regular season compared to 2018 for a 5-7 overall record.

SJSU was named the Reveal Suits FWAA National Team of the Week for its 31-24 non-conference victory over Arkansas, the school’s first football triumph over a SEC member.

The Spartans added a 34-29 non-conference victory at Army West Point placing SJSU as just the 20th college football program all time at any level with football victories over the U.S. military service academies Air Force, Army and Navy.

SJSU concluded its 2019 season with a thrilling 17-16 comeback win over geographic and Mountain West rival Fresno State for the Valley Trophy.

“This extension comes at an important time as we continue to build a championship football program. Coach Brennan has done an exemplary job in moving the needle competitively, achieving numerous academic performances and leading a praiseworthy ‘Beyond Football’ program,” said Tuite.

“What is particularly important to me is this extension will provide consistent leadership for our football program and our student-athletes. The University is making a commitment to Coach Brennan. Equally important is Coach Brennan is making a commitment to San Jose State. It’s a ‘gold, white and blue ribbon day’ for our Spartan football program.”

“Coach Brennan is exactly the kind of coach we want here at San Jose State,” said University President Mary A. Papazian. “He is a true teacher, mentor, and role model for his student-athletes. We are delighted to have him here for years to come, leading these student-athletes and helping them develop as both players and as people.”

In his first two seasons as a head coach, SJSU football players earned 57 Mountain West academic awards, the most in any two-year period since joining the conference six years ago. SJSU players have participated collectively in more than 5,000 hours each year in its Beyond Football program that focuses on community service, campus engagement and personal professional development.

“I am so excited about this extension. I’m thankful for the hard work of Marie Tuite and President Papazian and their support and belief in what we are doing. This (extension) gives us the long term to continue building a championship program at San Jose State.”

“I believe we’ve made great strides over the first three years, especially this season. To be in a position knowing the leadership is going to be here, we know there is going to be consistency in our process and our message.”

“When I look around the country, the teams that are really successful have consistency in their coaching staff and leadership on campus. For our program and our players, it will be knowing what the expectations are day in and day out and continuing on a path of improvement and development.”

The 46-year old Brennan returned to SJSU on December 8, 2016, for his first head coaching opportunity after 16 seasons as a major college assistant coach at Cal Poly (2001-04), SJSU (2005-10) and Oregon State (2011-16). He began his college coaching career at Hawaii in 1998 as a graduate assistant and served in the same capacity at Washington in 1999 and Arizona in 2000.

Brennan is a second-generation Spartan. Steve Brennan, his father, was an end that lettered in football at SJSU in the 1967 season. Beth Brennan, his mother, was a Spartan song girl at SJSU.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes: Raiders’ last hurrah at final home game in Oakland as team leaves for Vegas

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On the Raiders podcast with J. Hawkes:

#1 Last game in Oakland for the Raiders. The time has come as the Raiders host the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be a historic 1 pm kickoff at the Oakland Coliseum this Sunday and lots of memories to share.

#2 The Raiders played at the Coliseum from 1966 to present minus 15 years before 1995 while in LA.

#3 One of those great memories was when head coach Bill Callahan took the Raiders to the Super Bowl. They lost, but it was a great Raider team that made the Super Bowl

#4 The Raider Nation fans are different than many other fans in the NFL and the players enjoy playing for them all these years.

#5 Joe talks about his great memories and what he’ll miss after this last home game is played at the Coliseum for the last time.

J. Hawkes does the Raiders podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose Boughner’s Debut 6-3; Make that six consecutive winless games

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Photo credit: @NBCSSharks

By Jerry Feitelberg

Meet the new Sharks, same as the old Sharks. In their first game since the firing of Peter DeBoer and a number of other coaching staff moves, the San Jose Sharks still ran into familiar problems of an ineffective power play and subpar goaltending in a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers.

Artemi Panarin scored a hat trick for the Blue Shirts, Mika Zibanejad added a pair and the Rangers had 30 shots to just 18 for San Jose in Bob Boughner’s debut behind the San Jose bench. Tomas Hertl scored playing a hybrid wing-center position, Logan Couture netted a goal and Brenden DIllon scored his first goal in over a year, but the Sharks fell to 0-5-1 over their last six games and now sit five points out of a playoff spot. Joachim Blichfield made his NHL debut and Joe Thornton appeared in NHL career game 1,6000.

Dillon’s goal broke a 2-2 tie 4:12 into the third period and felt like it would be the deciding goal that would spark a Sharks turnaround, but Zibanejad used a Chris Kreider screen on a Rangers power play to tie the game 8:49 into the period. A lackluster defensive effort that saw two Rangers slip behind Sharks defenders for a gigantic screen on Sharks goalie Martin Jones led to another Zibanedjad strike about five minutes later for a 4-3 Rangers lead.

Jones would most likely want the Rangers next goal back as he pulled off his left post with Panarin nearly on the goal line to that side. An all-world sniper, Panarin made Jones pay for the early release from the post with 3:11 left in regulation. He scored on the empty net as well for his 18th of the year and the hat trick to complete a four-goal Rangers third period.

The early response from the Sharks seemed to be a change for the better. Tomas Hertl opened the game scoring first 9:13 into the first period, something the Sharks were having trouble with this season. Jesper Fast and Panarin (another goal Jones would want back after leaving his five-hole unguarded on a lateral push) would score in the second period, but Logan Couture answered back with his 10th goal of the year. San Jose didn’t capitalize though on two power plays, and only mustered 18 shots on the Rangers backup goalie, spelling doom in Boughner’s home debut as Sharks head coach.

The picture of how the Sharks will respond to their coach’s firing may get more clear Saturday night when they take on the Vancouver Canucks. By then, the team should be adjusted to life under four new coaches and systems might be better installed. For now, though, Sharks fans have to continue to settle for a night of unmatched expectations.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Too much USF and Santa Clara; Bears glad to get back home against Fresno State

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Photo credit: @CalMBBall

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

The Cal Bears are unbeaten at home and are winless away from home. The Bears visited a couple of highly rated Jesuited institutions at USF and Santa Clara, but the Bears are back in the friendly confines of their home court at Haas Pavilion on Wednesday night.

They really played an entertaining game against the Fresno State Bulldogs and neither team held a seven or eight point lead at anytime in that game. It was back and forth for the whole evening and although the Bears wound up with a six-point win that was in doubt until the final minute.

Michael Duca does the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears Back In The Win Column: Back-and-forth game with Fresno State goes to Cal, 69-63

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, Calif. — Kareem South is just the type of player the Cal Bears need to get things turned around after two last place finishes in the Pac-12.

The Toronto native has size, smarts and a competitive streak that surfaces in tight ballgames. Not only that, South’s well-spoken after games–win or lose.

But the truth is the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi graduate transfer is here today, gone tomorrow, already 10 games into a Cal career that won’t last more than 35 games.

So, Wednesday’s meeting with visiting Fresno State was get it, or go without it for South. He chose get it, scoring 17 points and helping lead the Bears to a 69-63 win over the Bulldogs that had some tense moments late.

South did most of his scoring early with 15 of his 17 in the game’s first 30 minutes as the hot-shooting Bears led by three at the break, put couldn’t gain any separation from Fresno St. as the second half progressed.

South’s 3-pointer with 10:43 remaining put the Bears up 47-43, but they couldn’t pull away, establishing a pair of seven-point leads only to see the Bulldogs get within one, 59-58 with 3:38 left.

But the Bears responded with a 7-0 run that gave them their biggest lead if the night with 25 seconds remaining. Matt Bradley had four of his team-best 24 points in the closing stretch, sealing a nice bounce back for a team that had lost four of five, with all the losses on the road and by double-digits.

“Coach had certain aspects he wanted us to key in on, which was our defensive rebounding and playing sound and solid on the defensive end,” South said. “We also did a good job taking care of the ball and shot the ball pretty well.”

“We really locked in and got ourselves ready to play Fresno State, and I think tonight it showed We had a lot of confidence, and we were able to close it out during the last five minutes of play,” said Bradley, coming off losses at USF and Santa Clara that he personally was happy to put behind him. “I feel good about this win.”

When things got tight in the final minutes, the often stoic, coach Mark Fox implored the Haas Pavilion crowd to turn up the volume, sensing his x and o’s might not be enough against a credible Fresno State team.

“Our team is not battle-tested and they’re learning something new on both ends of the court,” Fox said. “We’re going to need our fans to stand up and break a sweat because this team has to overachieve.”

Fresno State lost for fifth straight game, the previous two in overtime. New Williams led the Bulldogs with 21 points, five rebounds, and Mustafa Lawrence added 16 off the bench.

The Bears next take the hardwood on Saturday hosting the St. Mary’s Gaels. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Cal women, who host Santa Clara in the opener at 4:30 p.m.

Carrick’s first career hat trick helps Barracuda down Condors 6-2

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — On an eventful day that saw changes made within the parent club, the San Jose Barracuda took care of business with the help of Trevor Carrick’s first career hat trick in a 6-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors on an emotional Friday evening at SAP Center.

This was the last ‘Cuda game with head coach Roy Sommer behind the bench as there was a big shakeup within the San Jose Sharks organization with the firing of Peter DeBoer earlier in the afternoon. Sommer has been promoted to as Sharks interim head coach and Bob Boughner as an associate coach. Assistant coaches Michael Chiasson and Jimmy Bonneau will share the ‘Cuda head coaching duties.

“It was kind of a shock really,” said Sommer about learning of his promotion to the Sharks. “But hey that’s what you wait around 23 years for. I’m gonna miss these guys. I’ll be at a lot of games. I mean we’re right next door.”

San Jose is now 3-2 against the Bakersfield in the season series and snapped a two-game losing streak against the Condors. With the win, the ‘Cuda have 20 points and jumped ahead into sixth place past San Diego in the Pacific Division. They are only one point behind the Condors for fifth place.

Bakersfield (9-11-2-1) jumped on San Jose right out of the gate. A clearing attempt by Jacob Middleton was knocked down by Joe Gambardella, The Condor left winger then quickly centered a pass through the crease over to Kailer Yamamoto and his one-timer beat ‘Cuda goalie Josef Korenar for his sixth goal of the season 13 seconds into the game. It was the second fastest goal to be scored against San Jose in franchise history.

San Jose (9-11-0-2) responded over three minutes later. Joachim Blichfeld led a 2-on-1 odd man rush with Jonny Brodzinski. Blichfeld crossed it over to Brodzinski and the Minnesota native delayed before wiring a wrist shot through the five-hole of Condors goalie Stuart Skinner for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:56 mark.

The line of Brodzinski, Blichfeld and Kellman have quickly become the top scoring line for San Jose and the three teammates have created quite the chemistry with one another.

“You know really clicking with the linemates. We’ve been feeding off each other. I feel like we’re very similar players. When you get guys on a line like that, special things can happen. It pays off on the scoresheet,” said Brodzinski.

Korenar settled down as he was tested often in the opening 20 minutes. He made two huge saves eight minutes in when he stoned Brad Malone’s breakaway chance and the subsequent rebound chance by Gambardella.

The ‘Cuda doubled their lead on an identical 2-on-1 odd man rush. Sasha Chmelevski led the rush with Lean Bergmann, who played in his first game since being reassigned to the ‘Cuda. The Hunington Beach native looked Bergmann’s way before firing a wrist shot top-shelf on the short side for his third goal of the season at the 11:37 mark.

Despite outshooting San Jose 15-12, Bakersfield found themselves down by a goal at the first intermission.

San Jose carried the momentum of the first period right into the beginning of the middle frame as they scored two goals in a 45 second span during the first five minutes.

Jeffery Viel centered a pass in between the faceoff circles over to Carrick. Carrick skated in and lifted a backhander underneath the arm on the stick side of Skinner for his third goal of the season at the 3:58 mark.

“It’s fun! This is my first one since minor hockey,” said Carrick regarding the last time he scored a hat trick. “I kind of forgot what it felt like. It felt good and it was good to see the boys pretty fired up for me.”

The third unanswered goal chased Skinner from the contest. He was replaced by back up goalie Dylan Wells. Skinner gave up three goals on just 13 shots.

Then, Keaton Middleton fired a wrist shot on Wells, his first shot he faced, and he couldn’t corral the rebound as Jayden Halbegwachs crashed the net and cashed in the rebound top-shelf past Wells for his seventh goal of the season at the 4:43 mark.

The Condors cut its deficit to a two-goal game when a shot from the point by Jake Kulevich deflected off a body in front of the crease. Gambardella picked up the loose puck, turned around and snapped a wrist shot through a sea of traffic past Korenar for his fifth goal of the season at the 8:43 mark.

The ‘Cuda regained their three-goal lead under five minutes later. Blichfeld made a turn around wing-to-wing pass over to Brodzinski, who immediately found Carrick at the left point, and Carrick blasted a one-time past Wells for his second goal of the period and fourth of the season at the 13:03 mark. It was the first multi-goal game for the defenseman out of Stouffville, Ontario.

San Jose dominated the second period as they outshot Bakersfield 14-9.

Carrick earned the hat trick while San Jose was short-handed. An error, a drop pass by Joel Persson was turned over to Alex True who skated into the Condor zone and dropped it back to Carrick, who fired a wrist shot far side in the upper left corner for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:26 mark. This was the first hat trick for the ‘Cuda this season.

“It was one of those weird games. I think I had three shots on net and all three went in. The puck was going in my favor there,” said Carrick.

It’s been literally an up and down season for Carrick, who has spent time with the Sharks this season after coming over in a trade from the Charlotte Checkers on August 9th.

“It was kind of a different start for me being up and down with the injuries (to the Sharks blueline). It’s always tough coming to a new organization, new coaching staff, new personnel and stuff like that. I’m definitely feeling a lot more comfortable,” said Carrick.

Korenar finished the night with 37 saves on 39 shots to earn his seventh victory of the season. Wells made 19 saves on 22 shots in mop-up duty.

As great as Carrick’s game was, this night belonged to Sommer, coaching in his last AHL game.

“It was a special night for him (Sommer). He’s a great coach. It’s sad to see him go, but it’s a great opportunity for him and he deserves it,” said Brodzinski.

GAME NOTES:San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. Bakersfield was 0/2.

Brodzinski with his goal has a six-game point streak.

Halbgewachs has scored a goal in three straight games and five in his last six.

Carrick’s hat trick was the first one by a defenseman in franchise history. The last ‘Cuda hat trick was back on March 9, 2018 when captain John McCarthy scored three goals against the Cleveland Monsters at SAP Center.

The announced attendance was 3,186.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda host the Stockton Heat on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1:15 pm at SAP Center in the first game of a two-game weekend series.