NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Canucks continue to roll–hold onto first place with 18 points; Panthers-Jets split Helinski series; Coyotes win fifth straight–their best since 2013

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Photo credit: @theScoreNHL–The Florida Panthers goaltender Robert Luongo had a hot hand on Friday night in Helinski, stopping 32 Winnipeg Jet shots as the Panthers and Jets split a two-game series in Finland.

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Vancouver Canucks in a back-and-forth game that was semi-reminiscent of an NHL All-Star game got a one-goal victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. The Canucks’ Derek Pouloit got an overtime goal at 4:38 as the Canucks win 7-6. Right now, the Canucks lead the Pacific Division with 18 points.

#2 In the Helinski, Finland series between the Florida Panthers and the Winnipeg Jets, the Panthers got a split with a 4-2 win over the Jets on Friday night. The Panthers’ goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 32 shots coming off a knee injury. The Panthers were down 2-1 and came through to win the game, picked up their first win in regulation and third win in 11 games.

#3 The Arizona Coyotes are hot. They picked up their fifth straight win in a one-goal victory over the Carolina Hurricanes when the Yotes’ Michael Grabner scored an overtime goal at 1:17. The win marks the Coyotes’ longest winning streak since October 26th to November 5th 2013.

#4 The NHL plan to play more games in Europe in Prague, Stockholm, Germany, and Switzerland. The question that has been raised most often does NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman intend to expand the NHL into one or multiply countries? The players are already exhausted from domestic travel in North America. Will adding a European team further tax the players?

#5 The San Jose Sharks (6-4-3) and Philadelphia Flyers (6-7-0) face off tonight at the SAP Center. The Sharks are coming off two straight losses to the New York Rangers in overtime and a three-goal loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night–all home ice losses.

Matt Harrington reviews the NHL each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks couldn’t solve Bobrovsky on big shooting night; Sharks try to break 2-game skid tonight

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The third period was brutal for the San Jose Sharks. Down 3-1, the Sharks couldn’t get any offense going as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ goalie Sergei Bobrovosky stopped 44 of 45 shots on Thursday night.

#2 The Jackets’ Bobrovosky got in front of everything, making him the top player of Thursday’s game.

#3 It was the first time San Jose lost in regulation since October 14th in New Jersey.

#4 The Sharks could have really took advantage with all the shots they had, but as Joe Pavelski said it didn’t feel like a 45 shots night.

#5 The Sharks host the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night. Len sets up the contest.

Len does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors down the Timberwolves 116-99 for seventh win in a row

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Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors downed the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-99 at Oracle Arena Friday night. The two teams played a very close game for three quarters, but the Warriors’ defense, led by Draymond Green, shut the Timberwolves’ offense down in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

The Warriors got off to a good start early in the first quarter. They had the lead 19-8 with a little over four minutes played. The Warriors, behind, Kevin Durant, led 29-18 with about four minutes left in the period. The T-Wolves’ Andrew Wiggins, Jimmy Butler, and Josh Okogie finished the period on a 7-2 run to close the gap as they trailed the Warriors 36-32.

The two teams played a nip-and-tuck second quarter. The T-Wolves played superb defense, and they kept coming after the Warriors. They went on a 12-2 run to take the lead for the first time 44-42. Klay Thompson hit a 3, and the Warriors were ahead once more 47-46. The lead seesawed back and forth until late in the quarter. Steph Curry hit a 3-pointer, and the Warriors led 59-53. The T-Wolves fought back, and the first half ended with the Warriors up by three 61-58. Kevin Durant led the Warrior offense with 20. Thompson had 10 and Curry kicked in with 14. Jonas Jerebko tallied 7.

Taj Gibson had 10 for the T-Wolves. Andrew Wiggins added 7, Jimmy Butler 13, Karl-Anthony Town 10, and Josh Okogie had 12. The T-Wolves committed just 1 turnover in the first half. The Warriors had 7 turnovers.

In the third quarter, things did not go well for Golden State. Minnesota was able to control the tempo, and they did not commit any turnovers in the period. The Warriors seemed to be out of rhythm as the T-Wolves outscored them 29-22 to finish the quarter leading 87-83. The fans at Oracle were taken out of the game as the Warriors appeared to be going down to defeat.

However, teams have to play four quarters. The Warriors, behind Draymond Green’s superlative defensive play, shut down the T-Wolves’ offense in the fourth quarter. Klay Thompson hit two 3-pointers to propel the Warriors into the lead 91-89. The Warriors went on a 12-2 run to go up by six, 97-91, with 6:41 left to play. The Warriors showed the T-Wolves what an elite defense looked like as Green shut down Karl-Anthony Towns. Durant, Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Alfonzo McKinnie all hounded the T-Wolves’ offense as they held them to just 12 points and the Warriors tallied 33 to win 116-99.

Game Notes and Stats: Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 33 points. He also pulled down 13 boards.

Green almost had a triple-double. He scored 9 points, had 9 boards and recorded 11 assists. His defensive play in the fourth quarter was the catalyst for the win over Minnesota.

Curry had 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Jonas Jerebko had 7, and Alfonzo McKinnie, coming off the bench, had 8 points and 8 rebounds. He made two 3-point shots in 2 attempts and his 3-pointer in the fourth quarter helped seal the T-Wolves’ fate.

Andrew Wiggins led the T-Wolves with 22. Jimmy Butler had 21. Towns was held to just 3 points in the second half and 13 for the night. The big guy pulled down 11 rebounds. Okogie finished with 15, and Taj Gibson had 12.

The Warriors shot 48.9% from the floor and made 13 3s in 34 attempts. The T-Wolves also made 13 threes, but they took 45 shots to do it. The Warriors recorded 31 assists. The T-Wolves made 4 turnovers in the fourth quarter as the Warriors’ defense stifled their attack. The Warriors finished the night with 16.

The Warriors improved to 9-1 for the season, and Minnesota falls to 4-5.

Up Next: The Warriors have the weekend off as they resume play against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena on Monday night. Game time is at 7:30 pm PT.

Barracuda remain hot, topple Rampage 3-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It was a night made for debuts. A goal for a pair of San Jose Barracuda (8-1-0-1) forwards. The goaltending was stellar and three unanswered goals were enough for the Cuda to send the visiting the San Antonio Rampage (2-9-0-0) to their ninth loss in 10 games in a 3-1 victory at SAP Center on Friday evening. It was San Jose’s third win a row.

The first period ended scoreless with both teams registering nine shots on goal. The best chance for both teams came seconds apart with six and half minutes remaining in the period. The Rampage had a 2-on-1 chance that failed to get a shot on Cuda goalie Josef Korenar (5-0-0). San Jose countered immediately as Evan Weinger was sent in with a breakaway attempt at San Antonio blue line and his shot was stoned by Rampage goalie Ville Husso (1-7-0).

Lukas Radil would draw first blood for the Cuda early in the second period. Nick DeSimone sent cross ice over to the left point to rebound Keaton Middleton where he fired a shot on net that was blocked out in front of the crease by Husso. Radil pounced on the rebound and went forehand to backhand to score his 1st goal of the season and first goal as a member of the Barracuda at the 1:03 mark.

Evan Weinger was credited with his fourth goal of the season after a wraparound attempt by Maxim Letunov was stopped. The rebound trickled out to the slot, where Weinger was able to deflect the puck off a Rampage defender past Husso for a 2-0 lead. Jeffery Truchon-Viel received the secondary assist on the goal at the 8:25 mark of the second period.

“Hey you win a lot of hockey games in the second period”, said Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “Because most of the time if you have the lead going into the third (period) you’re in pretty good shape. We found a way to that this year.”

Truchon-Viel gave the Cuda a little insurance early in the third period. Jacob Middleton sent in a shot from the point that deflected off a body in front of the crease. Truchon-Viel was able to collect the rebound and in a 360 degree motion swooped the puck through traffic as it trickled past Husso for his first goal as a Barracuda at the 2:57 mark.

“All the guys are pushing together,” said Truchon-Viel. “We had 10 forwards (after the first period) and (yet) we found a way to win the game.”

Samuel Bias would spoil the shutout bid for Korenar when he skated in all alone on a rush and flipped a pretty backhander top-shelf past Korenar for his first goal of the season at the 15:23 mark.

“It’s really fun playing with these guys,” said Weinger. “If you’re having fun, good things will happen.”

Korenar remained unbeaten making 22 saves on 23 shots saves for the victory. Husso suffered the loss making 30 saves on 33 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/2 on the power play. San Antonio was also 0/2.

Dylan Gambrell was back in the lineup for San Jose after being reassigned from the San Jose Sharks.

Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau was named CCM/AHL goaltender of the month for October after allowing just nine goals on 149 shots with a 3-1-1 record . He ranks first goals-against average 1.75 and save percentage .940.

San Antonio have only five players who were a holdover from last season’s squad.

The announced attendance was 3,156.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda host their Nor Cal rival the Stockton Heat on Monday, November 5 at SAP Center at 7:00 pm PT.

Fantasy Football Doctors Podcast NFL Week 9: Win your matchup this weekend

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ff4

Hosts: Doctors Vasu Vaddiparty & Charlie O

  • Is this a “FitzMagic” Sunday?

  • Six teams have byes this week – wavier picks are important

  • Cam Newton could be a great play versus the Bucs

  • Jared Goff and Drew Brees will have a shootout on Sunday

  • Russell Wilson may be the big play this week

  • Will this be a bounce back week for Christian McCaffrey?

  • Mark Ingram should be the RB start of the week

  • Is Austin Ekeler the RB sleeper of Week 9?

  • Kenny Golladay may be the right start with Golden Tate gone

  • John Elway says Courtland Sutton is ready for a bigger role

Take 37-minutes to listen and get the advice you need to win your fantasy matchup this weekend.

Bigger than AHL hockey: Barracuda fight for the City of San Jose

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda didn’t just skate onto the ice at SAP Center on Friday night. Sure, the Barracuda were ready to wrap up their two-game season series versus the San Antonio Rampage after San Jose topped San Antonio 2-1 at AT&T Center last Friday, but this team was more than high-caliber goaltending and red-hot rookies who took the ice by storm. The Barracuda were ready to honor not only the cancer fighters and survivors in their lives, but also anyone else who has been coping with the disheartening disease in the City of San Jose.

The Barracuda wore custom decals that said “Hockey Fights Cancer.” The decals were easy on the eyes, as they were in a shade of lavender, and they definitely served a purpose. And, while the Barracuda players may not hail from California or even the West Coast, they all had one thing on their mind–Barracuda can bite cancer.

As usual, the Barracuda players prepared for the game versus the Rampage with their exercise bikes and soccer drills on the first floor of the SAP Center. The Barracuda were all smiles as they did those two things, which was a good thing as it’s important to stretch before a game to avoid potentially painful injuries.

Barracuda fans in attendance enjoyed the team’s happy hour featuring $2 beers and $1 hot dogs, which were unusual prices to see in today’s hockey games at arenas across the country. But they enjoyed those very low prices and that’s all that matters.

The Barracuda prepared to beat the Rampage again. San Jose is 11-5-2-1 all-time against San Antonio and 6-2-1-0 at SAP Center. Hopefully, San Jose’s hard work will pay off.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Is Bryce Harper what the Giants really need?

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Photo credit: @sfgiants_fanly

By: Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO — Bryce Harper, who has played all of his seven years with the Washington Nationals so far, is currently a free agent. Some teams are showing interest in the superstar who is looking for something like a 10-year, $300 million contract. Money is not the issue for the Giants. The Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Phillies have been mentioned as some of the top teams for Harper…and they have deep pockets, too. But there can be other teams. I’ll provide more on the latter another time.

But is the star right fielder the answer to the Giants’ offensive woes? Maybe! It would not hurt,but they still will need more than Harper to be a top contender in 2019. The Giants were the only team in 2018 who did not have one hitter reach 20 home runs, which was incredible in the era of the home runs. But let’s face it, as attractive as AT&T Park is, which comes with a great Giants fanbase, he could also select a more “hitter friendly” place like Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Yankee Stadium in the Bronx (Nirvana for a left-handed power hitter), Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, where the summer humidity makes the ball go much deeper than AT&T Park, or even with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dodger Stadium.

I believe Yasiel Puig has played his last game with the Dodgers in right field. The Dodgers are looking for their next mega star in an area where the great LeBron James, who is now playing for the Lakers. Star power is a big thing down Hollywood Lane. Those are some of the better places for Harper who this season ended with a .249 average, 34 home runs and 100 runs batted in (First time in his career he drives 100 runs). Still, the 26-year old Las Vegas native shows a very impressive resume. Harper is not a pull hitter, a very experienced MLB scout told me, but still has a better chance of reaching the fences in most of those places, instead of AT&T Park and that “Death Valley” area that is right-center field and if you are a left-handed hitter and not a pull hitter that is enough to discourage you not to move to The City.

Harper was the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. Also, the youngest position player ever (19) to be selected for an MLB All-Star Game (2012) as well as the National League Rookie of the Year award. In 2015, the Baseball Writers Association of America unanimously MVP selected Harper, who was the youngest in baseball to ever do so.

It is obvious the Giants need to make more decisions, pending the most important of hiring a new GM, but this is something else to ponder for the Orange and Black.

Stanford Cardinal Basketball podcast with Joey Friedman: Developing talent looks promising for Cardinal

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photo from @StanfordMBB

On the Stanford Cardinal Basketball podcast with Joey:

#1 Was the exhibition game against the Sonoma State Seawolves an indication how Stanford will have some good looks in their 75-59 win on Tuesday night?

#2 No more Reid Travis, Michael Humphrey, and Dorian Pickens. Big holes to fill for head coach Jerod Haase.

#3 Oscar da Silva has lots of expectations from coach Haase.

#4 Talk about senior center Josh Sharma and sophomores Daejon Davis and KZ Okpala.

#5 The Cardinal host Seattle University Tuesday, November 6th at Maples. Joey will be on hand and set the stage for the home opener.

Joey Friedman does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Too many sacks and too many sacks allowed pounding Raiders’ chances

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Photo credit: @LeopoldusEsq

On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

#1 Was this win against the Raiders a matter of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens having a great game against them or because simply the Raiders were bad?

#2 Raiders tight end Jared Cook said that it was frustrating and the Raiders that they have all the pieces, but the pieces weren’t doing the right things.

#3 Quarterback Derek Carr took a beating was sacked seven times and he threw 16 times and six of those resulted in punts.

#4 Head coach Jon Gruden said the Raiders have the talent, but just couldn’t execute also there is a question about the Raiders’ second half execution.

#5 The Raiders return home next Sunday against Phillip Rivers and the LA Chargers. Joe sets the game up.

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Was the win for SF because Mullens is a good quarterback or the Raiders were just bad?

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@ 49ers photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens gets congratulations from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during Thursday’s game against the Oakland Raiders at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 Was this win against the Oakland Raiders a matter of 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens having great talent and being that good or the Raiders were just that bad.

#2 For Mullens a great night 16 passes, 22 attempts, 262 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions

#3 Mullens said after the game that he was there for a reason do you see him starting next Monday night against the New York Giants?

#4 Mullens quarterback rating was the highest of a 49ers quarterback in six years after the win against the Raiders on Thursday night.

#5 The 49ers host the New York Giants Monday night, Joe sets the stage for this game.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com