49ers Embarrassed by Undefeated Rams in 39-10 Blowout

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By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The expectations for the 49ers heading into Sunday’s contest against the undefeated Rams at Levi’s Stadium were low. Yet, San Francisco still failed to meet them after getting destroyed by Los Angeles 39-10 to drop their fifth straight.

Turnovers continue to be the driving force of mediocrity, as the 49ers coughed the ball up four more times. Three of which came from CJ Beathard, who fumbled once and was picked off twice. The Rams also capitalized, scoring 24 points off turnovers on Sunday.

Not everything can be put on Beathard since he was sacked eight times and hit a total of 11 times.

Aaron Donald led the way for the Rams with an insane game, as he completely dominated the line, finishing with nine tackles, four sacks, five QB hits, and six tackles for loss.

Despite the line entirely getting owned all game, Beathard did nothing to better his circumstances and looked as frozen as the Joe Montana and Dwight Clark statues erected at Levi’s to commemorate “The Catch” on Sunday.

“[The turnovers] are something I need to find out. It’s inexcusable,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

However, that should’ve happened weeks ago. The 49ers now stand in dead last in the NFL in turnover differential, now -15 in just seven weeks and are now on pace to be one of the worst teams in NFL history.

The lone bright spot on offense was once again George Kittle. The tight end caught five passes for 98 yards and San Francisco’s lone touchdown just before the half.

It’s a good thing Kittle showed up too because the wide receivers were nowhere to be seen catching a total of four passes for 35 yards between Goodwin, Garcon, and Taylor.

The defense wasn’t horrible for San Francisco but also received zero help from the offense. They held the Rams offense to 331 total yards, but mostly because of the great field position handed to them.

Jarred Goff made his return to the Bay, passing for 202 yards on 18 completions and two touchdowns. He spread the ball around with Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks each catching four balls for 65 and 63 yards respectively.

Todd Gurley rushed the ball 15 times for 63 yards and two scores. He also was featured a lot in the passing game, catching four passes for 23 yards and a score.

The 49ers learned how much further they need to go before they’re even considered a contender after being embarrassed by the best team in the league. But, hey. It could’ve been worse. At least this game was flexed out of primetime.

Injuries
Rueben Foster sprained his right shoulder in the fourth quarter. It’s the same shoulder he had surgery on in the off-season. Hopefully, it’s not severe.

Adrian Colbert got carted off the field in the third quarter with an ankle sprain but was later seen on the sidelines wearing a baseball cap.

Up Next
The 49ers head to State Farm Stadium to take on the Cardinals next Sunday at 1:25 pm PT on FOX.

Earthquakes end final home game with 0-0 draw with Rapids

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By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — With all eyes on the Wondo Watch, The San Jose Earthquakes (4-20-9) weren’t able to get their captain Chris Wondolowski the two goals needed to break London Donovan’s record in a 0-0 draw with the Colorado Rapids (7-19-7) in the final home game of the season at Avaya Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It’s not like the Quakes didn’t give it their best effort as the whole team was trying to set up Wondo throughout the entire match. Wondo’s best chances came at the 38th minute one-timing a centering pass from Nick Lima that was blocked by a defender and in the 54th minute he had a clear shot attempt from 18 yards out that sailed high over the net.

“I think they did a good job of marking up,” said Wondo. “I felt our final ball was lacking, our final movement. My shots went into defenders, they blocked them or I missed the target. That’s all on me.”

The first half of play was mostly quiet until about 10 minutes left till intermission. Rapids defender Kortne Ford had an apparent hand ball not called by referee Tim Ford in the 35th minute.

In the 37th minute, Rapids forward Shkelzen Gashi had his attempt from eight yards out just sail wide right of the far post that had beat Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski.

Tommy Thompson had a quality chance to score in the 40th minute, but his attempt was  saved by Rapids goalie Tim Howard.

In the 45th minute, San Jose had two chances to score, but Shea Salinas’ attempt was tipped over the net by Howard. Then on the ensuing corner kick, Anibal Godoy’s header attempt was also stopped by Howard.

In the second half, the Quakes controlled the play and tempo–winning the possession battle 65% to 35%–and looked like they were going to send the Blue and Black faithful home happy. In the 56th minute, Jackson Yueill’s header attempt on a centering pass was kept out of the net, thanks to the cat-like reflexes by Howard.

San Jose’s best attempt to break the deadlock came in the 71st minute. Yeuill one-tocuhed a back pass to Shae Salinas, who dribbled past one defender and shot the ball just wide right of the goal.

In the match’s final moments, Colorado’s Jack Price almost spoiled the afternoon for the Quakes. Price’s close range shot was tipped over the net by Marcinkowski in the 90th minute.

“Disappointing we didn’t win,” said interim head coach Steve Ralston, who was coaching his final home game for the Quakes. “I thought the performance was really well by the entire group. Unfortunately we couldn’t break them down in the final third (of the match).”

“He came in a very tought spot,” said forward Danny Hoesen regarding Ralston’s upcoming final game as interim coach. “He’s very professional and a good guy. Obviously it would be nice for him to get a win (in his final game as head coach). There will be a little bit extra motivation (next week in Seattle).”

GAME NOTES: Colorado’s Bismark Boateng received a yellow card in the 51st minute for a hard tackle on San Jose’s Jackson Yueill. Ford received a yellow card in the 78th minute for closelining Thompson.

The Quakes finished the match with 13 corner kicks compared to Colorado’s 3.

Vako entered the match in the 81st minute as a substitution for Hoesen.

San Jose is 29-21-16 overall against Colorado with a 16-8-8 record at home.

The announced attendance was 17,474.

UP NEXT: The Quakes travel up to Seattle to take on the Sounders in the regular season finale on Sunday, October 28 at 1:30 pm PT.

Barracuda fall 3-2 to Heat at SAP Center

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By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat wrapped up their home and home series at SAP Center on Sunday. In case you missed it, San Jose downed Stockton by a score of 5-2 last night. San Jose used a four-goal third period to leave Stockton in shock.

Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer went with Antoine Bibeau, Dylan Gambrell, Vincent Praplan, Francis Perron, Cavan Fitzgerald and Keaton Middleton for his starting lineup.

However, Stockton got on the board first. Andrew Mangiapane scored his second goal of the season with 6:25 left in the first quarter. Oliver Kylington and Tyler Graovac collected the assists on Mangiapane’s goal.

Stockton doubled their lead a little less than two minutes later. Graovac scored his third goal of the season with 4:31 left in the first. Mangiapane and former Barracuda right winger Buddy Robinson collected the assists on Graovac’s goal.

The Heat were fired up and held a 2-0 lead over the Barracuda at the end of the first. Stockton edged San Jose in shots, 9-8.

The second period was chock full of penalties for both teams, but Stockton was the only team who capitalized on a man advantage. Spencer Foo notched his third goal of the season on the 5-on-3 to give the Heat a 3-0 lead with 8:12 left in the second. Graovac collected the assist on Foo’s power play goal.

Also, San Jose struggled to find the back of the net in the second for the first 10 minutes of the second. But the Barracuda avoided a shutout, thanks to Maxim Letunov’s fifth goal of the season with 5:02 left in the second. Praplan collected the lone assist on Letunov’s goal.

The Barracuda made it a one-goal game when Jayden Halbgewachs scored his third goal of the season with 1:11 left in the second.

The Heat still held a 3-2 lead over the Barracuda at the end of the second. Shots were even at 20 apiece.

The Heat were unable to capitalize with the man advantage on both Barracuda penalties, but they managed to hold on for a 3-2 win in the second game of the home-and-home series. Heat goalie Tyler Parsons stopped 26 of 28 shots for the road win, while Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau made 26 saves on 29 shots in a home loss.

Notes 
The San Jose Sharks announced that the club reassigned center Dylan Gambrell to the San Jose Barracuda. Gambrell played today.

Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau played in his 150th AHL game today.

There’s a Second Harvest food drive going on at SAP Center. This is one of the most difficult times of the year, so if you have any canned goods, please donate them at a Barracuda home game to help families in need.

Up Next 
The Barracuda head out on the road to take on the San Antonio Rampage on Friday, October 26 at 5:30 pm PT.

NCAAFB podcast with Michelle Richardson: Clemson got a huge win over NC State; Pregame scuffle between Wolves and Spartans; Leach says WSU getting short-changed on calls

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On the NCAAFB podcast with Michelle:

#1 No. 3 Clemson (7-0) took out No. 16 NC State (5-1) a huge night for Clemson in the 41-7 win. Clemson one of the last undefeated teams.

#2 Michigan (7-1) head coach Jim Harbaugh called out Michigan State (4-3) head coach Mark Dantonio after Michigan players were staying on the field as the Spartans were doing a pregame walk. Two Michigan players were clothes lined by two Michigan State players. It was reported in the view of those who witnessed the pregame fiasco as the worst exhibition of poor sportsmanship in recent memory.

#3 WSU (6-1) head coach Mike Leach texted that he doubts the Pac-12 is committed to player safety, favoritism towards other teams in the Pac-12, and more targeting in no calls against USC (4-3).

Michelle Richardson does the NCAAFB podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Three takeaways from San Jose State’s heartbreaking 16-13 loss at San Diego State

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

Oh where do I begin? Saturday night was a time for the San Jose State Spartans to redeem themselves, which they did against the San Diego State Aztecs, but fell short 16-13 at SDCCU Stadium. The Aztecs avoided an upset, thanks to their senior kicker John Baron II, who finished with a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, including his late, go-ahead field goal that sealed the deal for his team.

Here are my three takeaways from San Jose State’s heartbreaking 16-13 loss at San Diego State.

Second week in a row
Senior kicker Bryce Crawford helped the Spartans to an early 6-0 lead after the first quarter. Crawford converted field goals of 42 and 24 yards, respectively.

This was the second week in a row where the Spartans scored first on a Crawford field goal. The Spartans gave everything the Aztecs were able to handle, and while their record hasn’t shown dominance, Crawford’s one heck of a kicker who’s one of the bright spots on the Spartan roster.

Not a great return
Quarterback Josh Love returned to the field following a concussion sustained against the Army Black Knights at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday, October 13.

Love was intercepted once on a fourth quarter pick by the Aztecs’ sophomore safety Tariq Thompson, who returned the ball to midfield. As a result, 15-yard penalty was assessed for a horse collar tackle, which placed the ball on the Spartan 35-yard line.

Limited amount
The Spartans limited the Aztecs to just 293 yards of total offense. This was the fewest yards the Spartans have given up to a FBS opponent since their 16-14 win over the Fresno State Bulldogs to close out the 2016 season.

Even though the Aztecs had three time consuming possessions that turned into scores and squeaked out a win in the end, the Spartans had almost nothing to be ashamed of. The Spartans simply have to watch the tape and prepare to host the UNLV Rebels inside CEFCU Stadium this Saturday at 3:30 pm PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 114th World Series–Red Sox vs. Dodgers, a Coast-to-Coast Show

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By: Amaury Pi-González

It’s a glamorous dream match-up drama made for television. The Boston Red Sox, the franchise of the legends Babe Ruth and Ted Williams against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the franchise of the legends of Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. It will be New England Clam Chowder vs. Los Angeles Tacos, Cape Cod vs. Hollywood, Fenway Park vs. Dodger Stadium, the colors Red vs. Blue. Two of the oldest major league parks in the country,but two of the most iconic. It all begins this Tuesday, October 23 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles  for Game 1. It this reads like a television drama since it could be just that.

A huge story for Latin America is Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who is the first manager born in Caguas, Puerto Rico to take his team to a World Series. He is 43 years old. His team gave him the best birthday present ever on the day of his birthday, October 18, as they won the American League pennant, eliminating the 2017 World Series champions Houston Astros. In 2011, Edwin Rodríguez, also from Puerto Rico, briefly managed the Florida Marlins. There has only been one manager born in Latin America that has won a World Series. Venezuelan Ozzie Guillén in 2005 when the Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros. The first Latin American-born manager in MLB history was Miguel Angel González (Mike González) born in Cuba, and in 1938, replaced Frankie Frisch as the St. Louis Cardinals’ skipper.

This is the first meeting between the two teams in a World Series since the 1916 World Series,when the Dodgers were known as the Brooklyn Robins. In 1916, Broadway theater owner and producer Harry Frazee and Hugh Ward bought the Red Sox for $700,000.

In 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Weegham Park (modern-day Wrigley Field) and they defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings. That same year the New York Giants traded Christy Mathewson to the Reds. Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) was the President of the United States. The U.S. Marines occupied the Dominican Republic. In Seattle, Mr.William Boeing renamed his young airplane company BOEING. DW Criffith’s film Intolerance: Love’s Struggle Through the Ages was released while massive flooding by two hurricanes devastated North Carolina. Unfortunately, hurricanes have been with us for centuries.

Who is the better team?  The Red Sox led the world in offense, the Dodgers where número uno in home runs in the National League, so it seems the Dodgers win most of the time with the long ball. But that is today’s game in baseball. It is all about “launch angle” and guys hitting .235 with 35 home runs. This season, there were more strikeouts than hits in MLB–the first time that has ever happened. The Red Sox have more selective hitters like AL batting champion Mookie Betts .346 and probably the MVP in the league and J.D. Martínez, who has become the hitting guru today. He fell short of winning the Triple Crown. The last player to lead the Majors in all three categories in the same season was Mickey Mantle, who batted .353 with 52 homers and 130 RBI for the Yankees in 1956. The Mick was the last man to win the Triple Crown. Is that easy to do? The last time was 62 years ago.

Both teams have good starting pitching and bullpens. Both closers Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are not automatic when they come out late in the game, as the booth can elevate the blood pressure of their respective managers very quickly with a simple walk in a close game. However, the way it has been going, closers come in the seventh inning and sometimes starters pitch in the ninth and secure the victory. So, only God knows how pitchers will be used.

Without going into pedantic analysis, these are two very good deep teams. Dodgers have basically two squads,with tremendous depth maybe even more than the Red Sox. It is tough to pick a winner. I know here in the Bay Area, specially on the west side of the bay, I would make more enemies than friends if I picked the Dodgers, and I am inclined to do that this time. They are on a mission and manager Dave Roberts had his team since Spring Training very focused on repeating as NL champions and making it again to the October Classic. The Dodgers have accomplished that. This should be a long series. The old cliché, “It is not the best team that wins, but the team that plays the best”. Best testimony of that statement was the 1988 Dodgers vs Athletics World Series, the A’s were a better team in all aspects of the game, yet the Dodgers won. Hurts me to remember that, since I was there with the A’s. 1988 is also the last time the Dodgers won the whole Enchilada.

One thing is for sure and this will be fun. if there is a Game 7, it will be played at Fenway Park on Halloween! Trick or Treat?

MLB The Show with Daniel Dullum: Sox and Bums set to do battle in Fall Classic; Giants owner pays for ad that says Democrats will prosecute black men for rape worse than Republicans; plus more MLB news

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usatoday.com photo: Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brewers in NLCS Game 7 on Saturday

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel:

1 The 2018 World Series – Boston vs. LA Dodgers

ALCS – Boston takes the Astros in 5

NLCS – Dodgers eliminate Brewers in 7

2  Giants owner denounces racist ad after his donation helped fund it

3 Should MLB be concerned about fading LCS ratings?

4 Astros’ Altuve undergoes knee surgery

Join Daniel with commentary on MLB and the 2018 World Series at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Cal ends conference road woes with blowout of Oregon State 49-7

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By Morris Phillips

Coach Justin Wilcox called Cal’s trip to Corvallis to meet Oregon State a pivotal moment. Apparently, Wilcox’s team adopted the same urgency laid out by their coach.

In their most impressive outing of the season to date, the Cal Bears wiped out the Beavers, 49-7, ending their 14-game conference road losing streak. The win also ended the three-game skid that prompted all the consternation after Cal opened 3-0.

“There was never a question of want-to or desire,” Wilcox explained. “What we ask them to do in practice, they try to do to the best of their ability. We just have to play more consistently, and we got some of that done today.”

The one thing Cal had to address was a rash of turnovers in the three, previous games that ultimately cost Brandon McIlwain his position as the starting quarterback. Wilcox went back to Chase Garbers as the starter against OSU, and the sophomore engineered a high octane attack that produced eight plays of 20-yards or more including a 55-yard pass play to Vic Wharton III that set up Cal’s first touchdown of the game.

The Bears also got a 53-yard run from Patrick Laird, who erased a surprisingly slow, first half to his season with a 193-yard rushing performance and three touchdowns. Laird scored on a 29-yard pass play and a 4-yard run in the second quarter as Cal sprinted to a 21-0 halftime lead.

After 15 turnovers in the three, previous games, the Bears only hiccup was a first quarter fumble by Garbers on the 14th play of a drive that brought them to Oregon State’s 2-yard line.

But the Bears defense forced a three-and-out and a short punt put them in prime position in the second quarter, a sequence that ended with Laird’s touchdown reception.

The Cal defense continued to make noise after halftime, finishing with 12 tackles for losses along with seven sacks of OSU quarterbacks Josh Drayden and Traveon Beck.

The Bears improved to 4-3 on the season with five games remaining, all against conference opponents with better records than Cal, starting with No. 15 Washington at Memorial Stadium next Saturday at 3:00 pm PT.

San Jose State shows no quit, but San Diego State prevails 16-13 on Baron’s late field goal

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans left for sunny San Diego on Friday. Of course, the main reason behind their most recent business trip was to take on the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium in a lopsided Mountain West matchup on CBS Sports Network on Saturday night.

San Jose State, however, has to win the turnover battle. Last week, San Jose State fumbled the ball over four times and each one of those fumbles gave Army great field position and one fumble resulted in a scoop and score. San Jose State also had to improve their running game by bolstering their blocks and pass protection.

Enough about the San Jose State’s needs (and wants). Let’s get to the game recap, which has been written below.

San Jose State had one thing on their mind tonight and that was to beat San Diego State. That, of course, caused most, if not all, Aztec fans to openly laugh. Anyways, San Jose State’s locker room was decked with the players’ signature blue and gold helmets, which has always made a fashion statement. However, San Jose State was there to play San Diego State, not strut their stuff for a fashion show.

Spartans head coach Brent Brennan decided to make Josh Love the starting quarterback. The Aztecs won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

The Spartans wasted no time as Bryce Crawford opened the scoring with a 42-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 8:56 left in the first quarter. Just 2:31 later, Crawford made it a 6-0 game with a 24-yard field goal. Somewhere between those field goals, Jesse Osuna notched a fumble recovery, sparking San Jose State’s offensive prowess.

The Spartans led the Aztecs 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. But San Jose State had to be wary as they held a 3-0 lead over Army at the end of the first quarter last Saturday and then gave up 52 unanswered points.

Things escalated quickly as the Aztecs took advantage of the Spartans early in the second quarter. Chase Jasmin jumped into the end zone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown and John Baron kicked in the extra point to get ahead 7-6 at the 13:11 mark. After that, red fireworks lit up the clear, dark San Diego sky.

Baron kicked in the 36-yard field goal to put the Aztecs up 10-6 with 16 seconds left in the second quarter. The Spartans had a 1st and 10, but they took a knee to conclude the first half. San Diego State took a 10-6 lead to the locker room.

Baron kicked in the 22-yard field goal to expand the Aztecs’ lead 13-6 with 7:09 left in the third quarter. There were a lot of critics who were surprised the game was this close, but the Spartans’ offense and defense was able to tread water this time around.

Before everyone knew it, San Jose State evened the score 13-13 with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. Malike Roberson ran for a 1-yard rushing touchdown and Crawford kicked in the extra point to tie the game.

The Aztecs, however, went ahead 16-13 with 4:36 left in the fourth quarter. Baron kicked in the 51-yard field goal that sealed the deal.

San Jose State hasn’t won a road game since November 26, 2016 at Fresno State. The Spartans fought in a game that was supposed to be a blowout for the Aztecs, but their efforts simply weren’t enough as the Aztecs won a tight game, 16-13. With the loss, San Jose State falls to 0-7 (0-3 MW), while San Diego State improves to 6-1 (3-0 MW).

Notes
Spartans’ tight end Josh Oliver continues to be the national leader among tight ends. Oliver is #1 in the nation among tight ends with 5.5 receptions per game, #2 in the nation among tight ends with 66.8 yards per game and in the top 10 in the Mountain West Conference among all receivers in receptions as well as yards per game.

Spartans’ defensive end Boogie Roberts isn’t just a talented defensive end. Roberts is also a naturally born leader who is very well-spoken and that’s why he has been able to elevate his team’s performances on and off the field.

Up Next
The Spartans return home to host the UNLV Rebels next Saturday, October 27 at 3:30 pm PT on ATSN and KLIV 1590 AM.

Sharks Rout Islanders 4-1

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks defeated the visiting New York Islanders 4-1 Saturday night. Sharks’ goals came from Timo Meier, Joonas Donskoi, Brent Burns and Logan Couture, while Tomas Hertl earned three assists. Sharks goalie Martin Jones made 22 saves for the win, while Islanders goalie Robin Lehner made 37 saves on 41 shots in a losing effort.

The lone Islanders goal came from Brock Nelson. The Islanders did not take the loss quietly. As if in tribute to the Elton John tune, the game devolved into numerous fights and skirmishes before it was over.

The Sharks scored first as Timo Meier notched his fourth of the season at 7:59. Despite two Islanders crowding him, and eventually helping him fall to the ice, Tomas Hertl got the puck to Logan Couture at the top of the faceoff circle. Couture sent a quick pass to Meier, who was right at the edge of the blue paint. Lehner stopped Meier’s first shot but Meier was able to pick the puck back up and put it over Lehner’s outstretched pad. Couture and Hertl got the assists.

After a busy but unsuccessful power play at 16:59, San Jose gave up a goal with just 33 seconds left in the period. Josh Bailey skated into the Sharks’ zone and neatly avoided Justin Braun to make a pass to Brock Nelson. Nelson had avoided Burns and wound up with a clear shot at the net, which he took and hit his mark. Assists went to Bailey and Anders Lee.

At the end of the period, the Sharks had a slight lead in shots, 11-6, but a significant advantage in the faceoff circle at 67%-33%.

Evander Kane and Timo Meier both had good chances early in the second, but it was Joonas Donskoi who got the first second period goal at 4:59. Antti Suomela rushed the net and took a shot that was blocked by a sliding Scott Mayfield and Lehner’s stick. Suomela was too far beyond the goal line to get a good shot, so he sent it in front of the net. Donskoi was there in a flash to tap it over the line. Suomela got the only assist.

Just past the halfway mark, a scuffle followed a collision with Lehner in the Islanders’ net. After it was sorted out, Kane went to the box for roughing and Mayfield went to the box for cross-checking Kevin Labanc. The teams played four-on-four for two minutes. With three seconds left in that, Brent Burns took the puck and skated away from Jordan Eberle on the boards, and then took a shot around Tomas Hickey and Lehner to give the Sharks a 3-1 lead. Assists went to Hertl and Donskoi.

With 3:50 left in the period, Barclay Goodrow and Scott Mayfield engaged in some fisticuffs, then left for intermission early.

The Islanders got a late power play when Kane was called for slashing at 17:29. The Sharks’ penalty killers did an exceptional job in the first 1:15 of the penalty, spending a lot of time in the Islanders’ zone. That was thanks in large part to Hertl getting the puck across the line and carrying it all the way down and around the offensive zone.

At the end of the second period, San Jose had the 3-1 lead, a shot advantage of 26-14 and were still ahead in the faceoff circle, winning 61% of the draws.

Hertl helped Couture score the Sharks’ fourth goal. Hertl bounced the puck off of the back of the net while he made a quick reversal to lose an Islanders defender. Free of that burden, he was able to get back in front of the net and took a shot that went under Lehner and out the other side. Couture was there waiting for it and put it over the line. Assists went to Hertl and Joakim Ryan.

At 9:52 of the third, Kane was given a four minute roughing penalty after being taken down at the blue line and objecting strongly. His objection drew like responses from Lee and Mayfield, who each got two minutes for roughing against Kane.

At 12:08, a Cal Clutterbuck hit inspired just about everyone on the ice joined in to the fighting/roughing club: Clutterbuck, Burns, Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas all received misconducts. Burns also got a tripping penalty. Martin and Clutterbuck also got roughing penalties.

The sum total of the penalties put the Sharks on a power play, but it did not produce any more goals.

Shortly after Kane’s penalties expired, Kane was back on the ice and challenged Lee to fight right off the next faceoff.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday in Nashville against the Predators at 5:00 PM PT.