San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Penalties cost Barracuda in loss to Moose; SJ prepares for two game series in San Diego Friday

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On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

1 The Barracuda snapped a four-game winning streak with a loss on Sunday to the Manitoba Moose 5-2. The Moose came right out of the shoot after the faceoff.

2 The Barracuda’s John McCarthy got called for tripping and the Moose took advantage with a goal in the third period 4:22 as Michael Spacek shot a power play goal to pen the scoring volley for Manitoba.

3  Penalties hurt the Barracuda in the second period as Jon Martin was called for boarding, Brandon Bolig delay of game and Jacob Middleton was called for delay of game. The Barracuda were fortunate that they were able to kill off all three penalties.

4 The Barracuda play a two-game series in San Diego this Friday and Saturday Marko takes a look at these two match ups.

Marko Ukalovic does the Barracuda podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks back on track with Timo Time offense

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On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

The way the San Jose Sharks played against the Montreal Candiens on Monday night it was a recovery compared to what happened to them in Dallas on Sunday night. The Stars on Sunday night clearly took the Sharks out of their game in a 6-0 shutout. It was sort confusing what was going on there as Sharks goaltenders Martin Jones and Aaron Dell defended the nets very well, but it wasn’t enough as Dallas got an overwhelming win.

The Sharks to start off their game in Montreal Tuesday night didn’t waste anytime as they got first period help and the Sharks’ Timo Mier found the back of the net twice which helped San Jose get a three goal win over the Habs 5-2 at the Belle Centre.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Fox returns, defense does not in Kings’ 131-111 loss to the Hornets at home

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–With seven seconds remaining in the third quarter, the chirping from the Kings’ bench could be heard loud and clear, “Foul to give, foul to give.”

But after three passes, Charlotte’s Frank Kaminsky calmly drained a jumper at the free throw line area over Willie Cauley-Stein marking the Hornets’ 100th point on the evening as the horn sounded.

12 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Hornets were made to feel like even more welcome guests as Kaminsky passed to Jeremy Lamb beneath the hoop, where he converted from point blank range.

And so it went for Sacramento on Tuesday in a 131-111 loss, the Hornets pushed, but the defenseless Kings didn’t push back in a contest that for long stretches had the feel of an exhibition given how many open shots the visitors were afforded.

“Teams come in confident they can score,” coach Dave Joerger admitted. “It is what it is, until it’s not.”

The Hornets–one of the NBA’s worst shooting teams from distance–made a season-best 15 threes on 32 attempts, shot 57 percent from the field, and put up the aforementioned 100 points in just three quarters in their highest-scoring game of the season. A win last week in Oakland over the Warriors provided momentum, and this one provided even more confidence for one the NBA’s most disappointing teams to this point in the season.

“We need to carry that over because our offense has not been very good up until this point, up until this trip,” Hornets coach Stephen Silas said. “But things are starting to click a little bit and it’s good.”

The loss was the Kings’ third straight on a six-game home stand that started with the impressive win over the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Since then, the Kings have allowed 111 points to the Suns, 114 to the Grizzlies and now 131 to the Hornets. Consequently, a couple days of practice leading up to Saturday’s home contest against the Nuggets couldn’t come at a better time. The Kings need a defensive presence about themselves in the worse way, and as quickly as possible.

Offensively, the Kings acquitted themselves quite well.  Zach Randolph, the pick-and-pop master, had a 10-point first quarter and 24 for the game on 11 of 18 shooting.  Bogdan Bogdanovich showed that he can initiate the offense for the Kings, and score and distribute in the high post area using his size and broad shoulders. Bogdanovich finished with 11 points, five assists in 24 minutes off the bench.

De’Aaron Fox returned to the floor after missing two weeks with a partial tear of his quad muscle and played well too. Fox started, played 33 minutes, scored 17 points along with four assists, and looked almost completely healthy.  But similar to when the other six young Kings that saw action were on the floor, the defense suffered when Fox was on the floor, shown by the minus 19 the rookie point guard posted in the plus/minus category.

Joerger captured the issue of his younger players’ acumen defensively, saying “when we score, we relax defensively.”

The Kings conclude their home stand with Denver on Saturday, then play San Antonio on Monday.  The following night they travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers. Rookie Frank Mason was scratched from Tuesday’s game with a heel contusion he suffered in the loss to the Grizzlies.

Cal Bears Podcast with Michael Duca and Morris Phillips: Cal win last Saturday at Stanford could help Cal turn the page

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By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

BERKELEY–Cal did kind of a shocking thing being down 17 points behind Stanford last Saturday, down 11 points with 3:29 to play and they pulled it out in regulation and beat the Cardinal on Stanford’s home floor 74-71. 18 points in that last three minutes in 29 seconds. Cal scored 11 out of their last 13 possessions and to say a win like that is rare is an understatement.

When you think about the history of Cal at Maples Pavilion visiting Stanford and all of the struggles this might be one for the ages but definitely one that will last in the memory for quite awhile and for a team this young another building block for them to take and grow with. With 3:29 to play, FS1 broadcaster Steve Levin said Cal was trying to get it into single digits.

The Bears have a tough task coming as they face USC this Thursday and UCLA on Saturday.

Morris and Michael do the Cal podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Timo Meier scores twice, Aaron Dell makes 30 saves; Sharks beat Canadiens 3-1

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By: Pearl Allison Lo

The Montreal Canadiens paved their way back into the game, but the San Jose Sharks’ Timo Meier scored the game-winner to put the game away, 4-1, at the Bell Centre  Tuesday night.

The Sharks recovered from a lopsided loss, 6-0, to the Dallas Stars, with a dominant victory of their own.

After entering the Stars game in relief of Martin Jones in which goalie Aaron Dell received a no decision, Dell continued with the wins. Before the no decision, Dell had five straight wins.

Though there were five penalties in the first period, Thornton scored the sole goal on a 5-on-5, aided by Justin Braun and Vlasic.

Shots were 11-10 in favor of the Canadiens, but the Sharks led 1-0 after the first.

Montreal native Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored his fourth goal of the season at the 11:27 mark of the second period. Mikkel Boedker and Kevin Labanc provided the assists on Vlasic’s goal.

Brent Burns was given a delay of game penalty with 4:11 left in the second. Then, Andrew Shaw scored on the power play for his 10th goal of the season, and the Canadiens cut the Sharks’ lead in half 18 seconds later.

However, Timo Meier responded on the Sharks’ behalf for a 2-1 lead just 10 seconds left in the second. Labanc and Chris Tierney picked up the assists on Meier’s power play goal–his seventh of the season. Joe Morrow was initially called for high-sticking Meier.

Meier struck again in the third period for his eighth goal of the season and second of the game, which was assisted by Burns and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks took a 3-1 lead just 1:13 into the third.

The Sharks went on to beat the Canadiens 3-1. Dell made 30 saves for San Jose.

Meanwhile, Carey Price made 29 saves in a losing effort for Montreal, whose woes continue with their fifth loss in a row. Their scoring during their losing skid has been limited to a goal or less per game.

 

Game notes: Vlasic’s six shots were second only to Pacioretty’s seven.

Up next: The Sharks continue the Canadian part of their road trip vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday at 4 pm PT.

 

Despite doubts, Jon Gruden is the right mechanic to fix Derek Carr and the Raiders

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND — For those who thought it was a cold-blooded move by Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis to fire former head coach Jack Del Rio 20 minutes after a 30-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers to close out a disappointing 2017 at 6-10, let me just put you at ease:

It was rightfully timed, but honestly, it could’ve came earlier in the year.

In fact, Davis’ frustration can be traced back to Week 4. After starting the season 2-0 with impressive wins against the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets, the Raiders would go on to lose their next four straight games, bringing their record to 2-4.

Following a 2-2 stretch in late November and early December that pulled the Raiders into a three-way tie in the AFC West at 6-6, the Raiders never looked like the team that finished 12-4 in 2016 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Davis didn’t talk to reporters after Oakland’s fourth straight loss to end the season, but those close to the owner have said that Davis has grown frustrated with the team’s lackluster performance, most notably on the offensive side of the football, after committing big money contracts to quarterback Derek Carr and offensive linemen Gabe Jackson, Donald Penn and Kelechi Osemele in recent seasons.

Davis wanted to turn the page quickly to 2018 and handing the keys to the franchise over to former Raiders head coach and current ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden was supposedly the way to do it.

According to multiple reports, Gruden is expected to be named the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders, which also includes an ownership stake in the team. No deal is official, but the deal is “imminent” according to the reports.

In his first stint with Oakland, Gruden compiled a 64-38 regular season record, including a 4-2 postseason record. Gruden also led the Raiders to the AFC Championship Game in 2000, but was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for draft picks following the 2001 season after a contract dispute with Mark’s father, Al.

Gruden would lead the Buccaneers to a 48-21 victory over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII following the 2002 season. During his seven years in West Florida, he was 112-57 in the regular season, including a 3-2 postseason record.

The reunion between the Raiders and Gruden makes sense. Gruden is beloved by Raider Nation in Oakland. He never wanted to leave the Silver and Black and had the team on the verge of a Super Bowl championship, and Davis desperately wants to win a Super Bowl for the City of Oakland before the team moves to Las Vegas in 2020.

Gruden’s eventual hiring will do wonders for the Raiders, but most notably for quarterback Derek Carr, who regressed a bit in 2017. Carr did suffer a broken bone in his back, where he missed just one game but didn’t look healthy or confident all year.

After back-to-back seasons of averaging 3,900 yards and 25 touchdowns for a 93.9 quarterback rating, Carr took a step back in 2017, throwing for just 3,496 yards and 22 touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 86.4.

In 2017, Carr threw 13 interceptions after throwing just six in 2016.

Carr’s top wide receivers, Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, didn’t scare many teams this season. After an 89-catch, 1,003-yard receiving season in 2016, Crabtree finished with the season as the team’s leader in catches (58) and touchdowns (8) to go along with 618 yards in 14 games played after missing two games.

But Cooper’s 2017 season was just harder to figure out. Cooper was on his way of becoming one of the more electrifying wide receivers in the NFL with back-to-back 1,000-yards seasons, finished with just 680 yards receiving on 48 catches with seven touchdowns.

Tight end Jared Cook led Oakland in receiving yards with 688 on 54 catches for two touchdowns in his first season in Oakland.

But Carr is the the driver of the offense and Gruden will be tasked to repair a broken offense that finished 23rd in the NFL in scoring offense at 18.8 points per game in 2017 under first-time offensive coordinator Todd Downing after finishing fifth in scoring offense at 26.0 points per game in 2016 under then-offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave.

Whispers around the organization suggest that Carr had a hand in the shakeup at offensive coordinator, switching from the demanding Musgrave to the laid back Downing.

Simply put, Carr and Downing were best buddies and Musgrave was the third wheel. Carr and Downing hated having Musgrave’s hands in the offensive popcorn bucket and had to go.

Musgrave’s contract wasn’t renewed after the 2016 concluded.

If/when Gruden is named head coach of the Raiders, Downing won’t be retained which will put Carr on notice immediately with the new coaching staff. Gruden, along with former franchise quarterback Rich Gannon who is rumored to join Gruden’s staff as the quarterback coach, will make it their personal goal to get every ounce of talent out of Carr.

From footwork to calling the plays in the huddle, Carr will be broken down and rebuilt by Gruden and Gannon.

In the end, the play of the the Raiders’ $125 million quarterback will determine the team’s success, but Gruden will be responsible for delivering the organization’s elusive fourth Super Bowl title it thirsts for.

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, & Commentary: Sharks-Habs battling to get back in win column tonight; NFL Wild Cards; Manny Machado will he stay or will he go; Gruden waits for hiring process at Raiders

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Daniel Dullum is filling for Amaury’s Podcast today:

1 The Sharks are coming off a tough 6-0 in Dallas on Sunday and are looking to get back into the win column. The Montreal Canadiens are currently on a four-game loss streak and host the Sharks in a frosty cold Montreal, but there’s no outdoor game here as they’ll hook up tonight at the Bell Centre for this contest.

2 NFL Wild Card Playoffs start this Saturday. Daniel takes a look at Tennessee @ Kansas City and in game two Atlanta @ LA Rams.

3 For Sunday’s Wild Card games game one Buffalo @ Jacksonville and game two Carolina @ New Orleans.

4 The Cubs looked like the front runner in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, but the latest is Machado is up for grabs and the Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos is not very excited about letting Machado get away. A Machado contract would command around $325 million.

5. Former Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has said “let’s wait and see” in regards to his getting the job at the Raiders. Gruden can’t very well come out and say “the job is mine” because the Raiders are obligated by NFL policy to abide by the Art Rooney rule and have to interview at least one minority before announcing that Gruden is the new head coach. Sources say a minority assistant coach could be interviewed and if they hire Gruden that assistant coach could be hired on under Gruden as his assistant coach.

Daniel Dullum is filling in for Amaury for today’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Cal Bears Basketball Podcast with Morris Phillips: Bears hoping that come back game at Stanford can set the tone for USC Thursday

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On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

1 The Bears down to Stanford by 17 points in the first half and came back before the end of the half, figuring out Stanford’s defense.

2 Cal head coach Wyking Jones settled the team down and said they ended up dribbling the ball a whole lot better.

3 Stanford’s Maples Pavilion has always been a tough place for the Bears to battle and Saturday was almost no different, but Jones got the players believing in themselves and they turned it around.

4 After a 25 point loss to Portland State and previous loses to Central Arkansas, Cal State Northridge and Charminade they needed a win like this as a confidence booster.

5 Cal now hosts USC on Thursday and UCLA on Saturday, which are two great challenges on the home schedule for the Golden Bears.

Morris covers Cal basketball and does the weekly podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Len Shapiro: After getting blown out by the Stars–Sharks look to get back on track in Montreal on Tuesday

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) makes a save on a shot by Dallas Stars center Mattias Janmark (13) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len:

1 The Dallas Stars convincingly defeated the San Jose Sharks on a whopping 6-0 shutout.

2 The first period goals came from the Stars defenseman John Klingberg and forward Tyler Pitlick.

3 The Stars out shot the Sharks 17-5 in the first period.

4 In the second period, the Stars got goals from Stephen Jones and Tyler Seguin. The Stars also scored two goals more in the third period.

5 The Sharks’ next contest will be at the Bell Centre in Montreal against the Canadiens.

Len Shapiro does the SJ Sharks podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers string off fifth straight win, close out 2017 with 34-13 blowout over Rams

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San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde, right, celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

By: Joe Lami

The Jimmy Garoppolo era in San Francisco continues to amaze as he remains undefeated as a starter after the 49ers beat the Rams 34-13 to close out the 2017 campaign.

Already making the playoffs, the Rams decided to sit stars Todd Gurley and Jared Goff and the Niners used it to their advantage, dominating from the opening kick-off.

Garoppolo finished the day with two touchdowns, and two interceptions and was 20-of-33 for 292 yards. His first touchdown came in the first quarter as he found his favorite target, Marquise Goodwin, from eight yards out.

Goodwin suffered a concussion later in the game and was taken to a local Los Angeles hospital, but is doing a lot better. He only had one other catch for a total of 28 yards.

Garoppolo later found Aldrick Robinson in the fourth quarter to make it 34-6.

Upon speculation of his last game in the red and gold, Carlos Hyde had one of his best games of the season, running for 90 yards and hammering in two touchdowns.

Sean Mannion was clearly no Goff for the Rams, as he struggled most of the way. The Rams secondary passer threw for 169, completing 20 of 34.

Lance Dunbar scored the only Rams touchdown in garbage time with 6:40 remaining.

The 49ers finish their season, having won five straight and six of their last seven. Since Garoppolo became the starter, they have been one of the best teams in the league and have looked unstoppable.

The excitement is finally felt in the Red and Gold faithful, creating one of the most important offseasons in franchise history. With the winning streak, they’ve thrown together, San Francisco has gone from selecting second in the NFL Draft to selecting ninth.

Most shockingly, the 49ers and Raiders finished 2017 with the same record.