Barracuda Left Winger Brandon Bollig – Profile

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Photo credit: NHL.com

By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE—First generation hockey player to Stanley Cup Champion. Not even Brandon Bollig himself could fathom such an accomplishment growing up.

Born and raised in St. Charles, Missouri, Bollig picked up hockey at the drop of a hat, making every team he tried out for in his youth.

The left winger, who is 6 feet 3 inches and 220 pounds, took his skills to the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, with whom he spent three years (2005-2008). Bollig then went on to play hockey for St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. In 2010, after his sophomore year, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent and appeared in three games with their minor league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, that season (2009-2010).

Bollig was called up for his NHL debut with Chicago on February 29, 2012 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also made four playoff appearances that season.

With his hometown so close to St. Louis, Bollig grew up supporting the Blues, one of the Blackhawks’ biggest rivals.

“I got a lot of crap from my family and friends when I signed with Chicago,” Bollig laughed. “Whenever we played the Blues, they would always say, ‘We are rooting for you and only you. We hope you score some goals, but we want a Blues win.’”

Aside from the rivalry, Bollig’s family was immensely supportive. Around 50 members of his family would attend every Blackhawks vs. Blues game at home. His family would also travel from St. Charles to Chicago to watch Bollig play at the United Center.

Bollig’s greatest accomplishment was his Stanley Cup win with the Blackhawks in 2013.

“That was indescribable,” he noted. “It’s something you imagine a million times as a kid. Once you finally do it, it is better than you ever thought.”

Following the Stanley Cup win, Bollig played one more year with the Blackhawks before he was traded to the Calgary Flames at the start of the 2014-2015 season. He still received the same familial support when the Flames would visit St. Louis, though he noted that deep down, his family still hoped for Blues’ wins.

Most recently, Bollig played for the Stockton Heat, the Flames’ AHL affiliate, in 2016-2017.

Bollig’s objective for each game is to play one that is “sound.” His playing style focuses heavily on tending to the defensive zone, and on physical presence (Bollig does not have any fear of fighting). Putting up numbers, to him, is an “added bonus.”

San Jose closed a one-year deal with Bollig on July 4, 2017, three days after the free agency market opened. Thus far, it has been a pleasant experience for him. Off the ice, Bollig and his fiancee enjoy the friendly Northern California vibes, sunny weather, and various downtown San Jose activities, including those on Santana Row.

A King Returns to Claim His Throne; Ex-King Cousins scores 41 in Pelicans win 114-106 over Kings

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Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) fouls New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) as he goes to the basket with Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) on Thursday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com

By Tony Renteria

SACRAMENTO– DeMarcus Cousins return to the Capitol City resulted in a 114-106 win for the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.  Cousins who was the heart and soul of the Sacramento Kings for six seasons before being traded last season made his first return to the Golden One the stadium where Kings fans thought he who play for years to come.

Cousins who electrified the Sacramento fans with his talent but also polarized the fan base with his constant need to argue with officials and lead the league in technical fouls once again stood center court and received a huge standing ovation.  Cousins was acknowledge a few minutes in the first quarter during a time out  and reacted in a classy and professional way by waving to the crowd and pounding his heart to return the love that was being bestowed by the home town fans.

Cousins was the pregame story and he took that into the game as well as he scored 41 points and added 23 rebounds in showing the Kings and the fans what they gave up when they traded the All Star last season. “It was a special night,” Cousins told the Sac Bee “The fans were beautiful, they were into the game, they let it be well known they hated every shot I made but now I see how other players feel when I used to be on this side, on the other side of the fence. I can remember games where the crowd was the reason we won it. It’s well known the Kings have incredible fans. They showed up tonight as well.”

The Kings held an early lead but as in most NBA games the team behind made a run in third quarter and put the pressure on the Kings who folded late in the fourth.

The Kings were lead by Rookie De Aaron Fox who is continuing to show why the young man from Kentucky was selected fifth in this years draft as he scored a team high 14 points and five assists.

The Kings now drop to 1-4 on the year and host the Washington Wizards on Sunday.  The Pelicans 2-3 fly off to Cleveland to try to get to a .500 record on Saturday.

 

 

No. 20 Cardinal squeaks past Oregon State 15-14; Without Love Cardinal were a different team

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© The Associated Press Stanford linebacker Jordan Perez, top, sacks Oregon State quarterback Darell Garretson, bottom, in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Corvallis, Ore., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, October 26, 2017

Stanford squeaked out a 15-14 Pac-12 football win over Oregon State Thursday, doing it the hard way – without Bryce Love.

The No. 20 Cardinal came from behind, as Keller Chryst connected with JJ Arcega-Whiteside with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, to complete the comeback at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

Stanford (6-2 overall, 5-1 Pac-12) announced an hour and a half before the game that Love, who tweaked an ankle on Oct. 14 against Oregon, would be held out of the contest against the Beavers (1-7, 0-5).

A fumble recovery by Harrison Phillips with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter got Stanford the ball while trailing 14-9. The Cardinal converted a fourth-and-10 on the Beaver 40 when Chryst completed a 25-yard pass to Kaden Smith.

Arcega-Whiteside snagged a Chryst pass on a fade pattern in the end zone, but Stanford failed to convert a 2-point conversion. The Ducks mounted a final drive, but Darell Garretson’s pass from the Cardinal 44 was picked off with 3 seconds remaining.

Stanford opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal by Jet Toner in the second quarter. OSU responded with a Garretson quarterback keeper, giving the Beavers a 7-3 lead. A Toner 33-yard field goal cut the Cardinal’s halftime deficit to 7-6.

Toner booted a 40-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter, pulling Stanford to within 14-9.

Cameron Scarlett, filling in for Love, gained 72 rushing yards. Chryst completed 16 of 33 passes for 141 yards, while the Cardinal was held to 222 yards of total offense. Stanford was averaging 456.7 yards in total offense going into Thursday’s game.

It was Oregon State’s second game under interim head coach Cory Hall. Gary Andersen was relieved of his duties two weeks ago.

Stanford’s next game is on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Washington State.

Bruins Beat Sharks 2-1, Thornton Climbs to 20th in NHL Points

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Photo credit: San Jose Sharks

by Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 2-1 to the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Rookie Danton Heinen scored both Boston goals, his first and second NHL goals. It was his fourth NHL game. Joe Thornton scored the lone goal for San Jose. The point moved him up to a tie for 20th place with Jari Kurri among the NHL’s all time points leaders. Boston goaltender Anton Khudobin made 36 saves on 37 shots for the win.

After the game, Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said:

I think we worked pretty hard. The ice was not great out there. We had opportunities, we just didn’t find a way to stick them in net. I think when we came out of our end we played down there. They’re a good strong team, they’re big and heavy. I think they stuck their nose in, wanted this one. You know, you get those opportunities on the power play, we’ve got to cash in there.

The game was a reversal of Monday’s game in New York, when the Sharks had to kill six penalties to the Ranger’s 1. In Boston, the Sharks only took two penalties to the Bruins’ six. The loss drops the Sharks to a 4-5-0 record this season, and 2-2-0 for this five game road trip.

Martin Jones made 31 save son 33 shots for the Sharks. Joel Ward was again in the lineup, while Barclay Goodrow was replaced by Timo Meier. Otherwise, the lineup remained the same as on Monday. Ward got credit for one hit and had 9:40 in ice time. In 11:49 of ice time, Meier had a hit and two shots on goal.

The first goal of the game was short-handed. The Sharks were having little luck getting set up and in the second half of the power play Boston’s Kevan Miller won a race to the puck and quickly sent it back to David Backes. Backes headed for the neutral zone, with Heinen was a few steps ahead of him. The Sharks had two players back but Backes’s shot got by them and Sharks goalie Martin Jones kicked the rebound out right to Heinen. Assists went to Backes and Miller.

Joe Thornton’s goal came on a power play in the second period. Boston goaltender Anton Khudobin got a piece of Brent Burns’s shot but it rolled over his toe. Thornton had just slipped behind defenders Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo. Thornton was able to turn and reach the puck in the blue paint and lift it in the net. Assists went to Burns and Tim Heed.

Heinen’s second goal was also in the second period. This time, the rebound came off the boards behind the net while Jones was still trying to come across. Assists went to Carlo and Tim Schaller.

Late in the third period, the Boston net came off of its moorings and was not called as a delay of game. The Sharks were already on a power play with just 1:17 left in the third period. After the game, Pavelski summarized the third period:

We made a little push trying to get that goal, I think we created some opportunities. It felt good. There was maybe a few plays where we’re trying to make something happen and they turn it over. In those situations, Joner made the saves. It felt good, felt like we were going to get one there at the end. Ran out of time.

The Sharks next play on Saturday in Buffalo at 10:00 AM PT.

Stanford Cardinal Podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: The Cardinal Chryst and Love looking forward to taking it to Oregon State tonight

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Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) runs anther one into the end zone in the first half during a PAC 12 football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Stanford Cardinal Saturday October 14. 2017 at the Stanford Stadium Stanford Ca. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Oregon Ducks 49 – 7. (Bill Nichols Images via AP)

On the Stanford Podcast with Jerry Feitelberg

1 The Stanford Cardinal are at Oregon State University for tonight’s 6:00PM kick off. The Cardinal have a four game win streak and the Beavers have a five game losing streak coming into tonight’s action

2 The Beavers are having a rough time of it they’ve lost six of their last seven and on offense they’ve having a hard time finding the end zone and have faced tough defenses every game.

3. The Cardinal in the last game get a win behind the great passing of quarterback Keller Chryst. The running game of running back Bryce Love has helped pace the Cardinal so well that Love got to sit down after playing in the first half as the Cardinal were blowing out the Oregon Ducks

4 Love set the tone in the first half with a 77 yard carry and two three and four yard pass catches

5 The Cardinal are favored to win this one over OSU but are always cautioned by the coaches to never get over confident a 6:00PM kick off at OSU

Headline Sports Podcast with Tony Renteria: Wound up balls are not new in baseball; Will a Kaepernick meeting with owners mean anything?

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel throws during the first inning of Game 1 of baseball’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Tim Bradbury, Pool)

On the Headlines Podcast with Tony:

1 Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel  left little doubt of what he thought of Wednesday night’s slugfest in Dodgers Stadium. It was first World Series that saw the most home runs in the eight, ninth, and tenth innings.

2 It was going so well for Houston that even George Springer got a home run.

3 Keuchel said the seams of the ball are tighter than normal which is allowing the ball to travel more

4 Colin Kaepernick the former 49ers quarterback will meet with NFL owners at the next players-owners meeting. Kaepernick who filed a grievance stating the owners have collectively colluded to keep Kaepernick from signing with a club

Tony does the Sports Headlines Podcast each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Barracuda Goalie Antoine Bibeau – Profile

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Photo credit: @LongLiveTheAnt

By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE—Antoine Bibeau grew up in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. Most children around him began playing hockey at a very early age, in which he took part. One of his greatest influences growing up was former Montreal Canadiens (Bibeau’s favorite team as a child) and Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy, who won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and 2001, during Bibeau’s single-digit age years.

The 23 year-old goaltender stands at 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 213 pounds. His maternal great-uncle played as a goaltender for the Quebec Nordiques of the NHL, who, he believes, served as another net minding inspiration for him.

Beginning in 2009, Bibeau played five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs, Lewiston MAINEiacs, Prince Edward Island Rockets, Charlottetown Islanders, and the Val d’Or Foreurs. It was not until he arrived in Prince Edward Island that he learned to speak English (his native language is French).

“It was pretty bad,” Bibeau said of his English-speaking skills at the time. Thankfully, with the help of his girlfriend and hockey coaches (who were always giving commands in English), Bibeau picked up the language thoroughly.

In 2014, Bibeau helped the Val-d’Or Foreurs advance to the QMJHL championship, where they won the President’s Cup. Following the 2013-2014 season, he was awarded the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the QMJHL Most Valuable Player and the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the Memorial Cup’s Most Outstanding Goaltender. Bibeau was also admitted to the CHL Memorial Cup All-Star team.

Bibeau was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs 172nd overall in 2013. The following year, he began playing for their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. In 32 games with the Marlies in 2016-2017, he notched a 13-14-5 record, a .894 save percentage, a 3.08 GAA, and three shutouts, for which he tied 12th amongst all AHL goalies. Since the start of his AHL career in 2014, he has attained a 56-33-11 record, a .906 save percentage, a 2.79 GAA, and 10 shutouts.

He was called up to two Maple Leafs games during the 2016-2017 season, making his NHL debut on December 11, 2016. In these two games, he cultivated a 1-1-0 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 1.99 goals against average (GAA). Bibeau described his NHL appearances with Toronto as one of the milestones of his net minding career, from major junior all the way up to the pros.

San Jose signed Bibeau to a one-year deal when the free agency market opened on July 1, 2017. Like many non locals, Bibeau has been enjoying the sunny Bay Area weather since his arrival just before the start of the preseason.

Barracuda Defenseman Nick DeSimone – Profile

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Photo credit: @njdes

By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE—Growing up in a family of hockey players, one would have expected Nick DeSimone to take up the sport at some point. After years of being influenced by his father, a former player, and watching his older brother, Phil, on the ice, DeSimone decided to follow along. His parents supported his then-new found love.

The 6 feet 2 inch, 195-pound defenseman, 22, hails from East Amherst, New York and was a staunch supporter of the Buffalo Sabres growing up. He played three years of college hockey at Union College in Schenectady, New York, which, he noted, was a dream come true for him prior to signing with San Jose; the latter feat, he says, has been greatest milestone in his athletic career thus far.

Before his collegiate-level stint, DeSimone spent one year with the Connecticut Oilers (EJHL) and one with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL), the latter in which he put up 51 points in 52 games (how’s that for a solid season of two-way plays?).

Since entering the professional leagues, DeSimone says he has learned to “be smarter” on the ice.

“It’s kind of a chess match,” he describes. “College was more of a run-and-gun, pros are more strategic.”

Today, DeSimone credits notable NHL defensemen Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, and Erik Karlsson as his primary influences; all three have been awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

DeSimone is one of the top AHL prospects for the Sharks. He has yet to make his NHL debut, though he was called up to one Sharks preseason game against Anaheim. From September’s Prospect Showcase to the present, he has showed some solid two-way skills, though as the season progresses his chances of earning a spot on the Sharks roster will become more detectable.

Off the ice, DeSimone, like most East Coast natives who relocate to California, is enjoying the sunny, snow-free weather of the Bay Area.

Raiders travel to Buffalo for Week 8 matchup with Bills Sunday

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Photo credit: @BNBlitzNow

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — After having 10 days off, the Raiders get back on the football field this Sunday as they travel east to take on the Buffalo Bills in a key matchup for Week 8.

Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET or 10:00 a.m. PT for all you (including me) west coasters.

Last Thursday night, the Silver and Black got back into the win column with a 31-30 comeback victory over their bitter rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. Oakland (3-4) were down six late in the fourth quarter before starting quarterback Derek Carr engineered an 11-play, 85-yard drive in 2:25 that resulted on a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Crabtree as time expired.

Kicker Giorgio Tavecchio’s PAT on the next play proved to be the difference maker, snapping Oakland’s four-game losing streak following a 2-0 start.

In the process, Carr earned his NFL-leading 12th comeback victory since 2015. Carr completed 29-of-52 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns with 101.2 passer rating.

Amari Cooper had a career-night, hauling in 11 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns of 38 and 45 yards. Cooper’s 210 yards ranked second in single-game franchise history to Art Powell’s 247 yards in 1963.

Cooper was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week for his offensive outburst against the Chiefs.

Just to put Cooper’s performance in a bigger perspective: after recording five catches for 62 yards and one touchdown in Oakland’s 26-16 victory in Tennessee in Week 1, Cooper struggled, recording just 13 catches for 84 yards and no touchdowns in Weeks 2-6.

Tight end Jared Cook made big plays also against a good Chiefs defense, catching six passes for 107 yards, including a 27-yard reception on the Raiders’ final drive to setup Oakland at the Kansas City 1-yard line.

On defense, newly signed middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman led Oakland with 11 tackles on the night.

During pregame introductions, Bowman was greeted with a loud ovation from Raider Nation. Bowman spent his first seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers where he was voted to three Pro Bowl teams (in 2012, ’13, ’15) and four All-Pro teams (in 2011-13, ’15).

Oakland will head into Buffalo without the services for starting running back Marshawn Lynch, who has been suspended by the NFL for one game after making contact with an official during Thursday’s contest.

Lynch was ejected in the first half after he ran onto the field and made contact with an official after trying to separate Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters from a scrum that broke out. The Raiders starting running back was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected.

Lynch and Peters are cousins from West Oakland. Peters actually testified on Lynch’s behalf at his appeal hearing, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Buffalo (4-2) is coming off a 30-27 victory at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.

Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 20-of-33 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown with a 98.5 passer rating. Taylor is a mobile quarterback that can give the Raiders problems as he can make plays in the running game too.

Running back LeSean McCoy racked up 91 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay. Not only does McCoy lead the Bills with 370 yards rushing on 110 carries this season, but he’s Buffalo’s top receiver, leading the team with 32 catches and his second behind tight end Charles Clay with 220 yards receiving through six games.

Clay leads Buffalo with 258 yards receiving.

Defensively, Buffalo ranks fourth in the NFL in points surrendered, allowing just 16.8 points per game. Oakland’s offense ranks 15th in the league, scoring 22.1 points per game.

Buffalo ranks seventh in the league in stopping the run, allowing just 84.5 yards rushing per game.

Buffalo’s secondary is one of the strongest in the league, led by safety Micah Hyde who is tied for the league lead with four interceptions. Hyde signed a five-year, $30.5 million deal with Buffalo in the offseason after spending his first four seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Sunday’s game in Buffalo marks the first of a two-game swing through the AFC East for Oakland. The Raiders travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 9.

Oakland is already 1-0 against the AFC East this year, after blasting the New York Jets 45-20 in Week 2 in the Raiders’ home opener.

The Raiders have won two of the last three meetings with Buffalo (in 2014 and ’16), while the Bills last defeated Oakland in 2011.

 

 

 

 

Whitecaps get first franchise playoff win; Quakes eliminated shutout 5-0

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~ Photo credit: (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ A both painful and sweet match depending on your side, Vancouver asserted themselves over the San Jose Earthquakes, as the Whitecaps advanced past the Knockout Round match 5-0 Wednesday.

The score reflected the name of the match. San Jose, who recently got back into the playoffs for the first time in five years, saw their postseason ambitions cut short in a harsh way.

After the first half, it was just a one goal difference. However, though both teams had seven shots in the second half, the Quakes could not convert while Vancouver had the scoring touch. San Jose had majority possession time throughout the game.

Nicolás Mezquida, who entered in the 68th minute, scored two goals two minutes apart.

The only score they needed though, began in the 33rd minute, off a corner kick. Cristian Techera sent the ball in, Kendall Waston headed it and Fredy Montero put in the final header as he finally got his first playoff goal. It was also the Whitecaps’ first home playoff goal.

Shots were 10-3 in favor of in the first half but both teams had the same amount of shots on target, three.

For the Quakes, the 39th minute saw one of Anibal Godoy’s chances, followed by one of Victor Bernárdez’s chances in the 40th minute and one of Danny Hoesen’s two offside calls in the 41st minute.

In the second half, San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski had a chance in the 52nd minute. Hoesen had a free kick attempt that sailed just high in the next minute.  

Techera’s free kick in the 57th minute, did not miss though, as he picked the top of the net. His status was tenuous for the game when he suffered an injury in the first half.

Vancouver kept on humming as they made it 3-0 in the 64th minute. It started with a corner kick then went to a number of Whitecaps players. At one point, it hit goalie Andrew Tarbell’s leg and then Waston got Tarbell out of position with the scoring touch.

Goal number four occurred when Christian Bolanos passed to Mezquida instead of shooting and Mezquida’s ball hit the post and bounced into the net.

Mezquida then scored one-on-one versus Tarbell in the 80th minute to cap the scoring.