That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2025 MLB Predictions

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A ten year old boy/fan is thrilled to have caught Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Otani’s home run ball at the Tokyo Dome on opening day against the Chicago Cubs on Wed Mar 19, 2025 and showed the baseball to the media. Author Amaury Pi Gonzalez predicts the Dodgers will return to the World Series this season and face the Texas Rangers (AP News photo)

2025 Major League Baseball Season Predictions

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It is the time of the year to look into my crystal ball and see how teams will do this year.

American League (East)

1-Baltimore

2-Boston

3-New York

4-Toronto

5-Tampa Bay

The Baltimore Orioles are back in force this season. The bullpen is healthier; they lost Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander to free agency, but they still have a young, dynamic lineup and are the best team in this division.

Boston Red Sox is always in the mix and one of the best organizations in baseball. They added Alex Bregman for third base and Walker Buehler, a very good pitcher. They have a shot at a wild card.

The Yankees lost their #1 ace starter, Gerrit Cole, to Tommy John surgery. Even if they were healthy, their rotation would not be the best. Without Cole, they cannot win that division; their best hope is a Wild Card. Their lineup suffered as they lost Juan Soto, but they still can score enough runs to be competitive.

Toronto Blue Jays. I don’t feel them this year. Their last shot to win big with Vladimir Guerreo Jr. and Dante Bichette, who will be free agents after the season. They are good for fourth. Any of the seven Canadian NHL teams have a better shot at winning the Stanley Cup than the Blue Jays winning the World Series.

Tampa Bay Rays will play in a new stadium provisionally while they repair Tropicana Field. It is not because they will play at Hal Steinbrenner Jr ballpark for this year, but the simple fact remains is that they do not have it.

American League (Central)

1-Kansas City

2-Detroit

3-Cleveland

4-Minnesota

5-Chicago

Kansas City Royals should win this division, still with the leadership of catcher Salvador Pérez

Detroit could be in the mix; it’s a young team with lots of potential.

Cleveland and Minnesota will fight to be wild cars, and Chicago will start rebuilding early again. If you like trades, go to Chicago.

American League (West)

1-Texas

2-Seattle

3-Houston

4-Athletics aka ATH

5-Los Angeles

Texas Rangers are loaded and ready to shoot for the top; with Hall of Fame manager Bruce Botchy, they have enough offense, good enough to pitch a great defense, all the components of winning this division, and maybe…maybe a trip to the World Series.

Seattle Mariners are picked just about every year to win, but, nada. This year they “could”finally win it, butt they are not betterr than the Rangers.

Houston Astros and José Alrtuve in left field, without Alex Bregnam anymore at third base. Well, third is a good palce fdor them.

Athletics, aka ATH (now in Sacramento for how many years…? could win this division if they did not have to play the Rangers, Mariners, and Astros, or if they played the Angels every day, they might win it. It is a new city, a new park, and a great attitude from many young and talented players, with an outstanding manager in Mark Kotsay. I like to see the A’s win the Division or a wild card and then play the postseason at Oracle Park(If the Giants do not make it) because there is no way MLB will let the A’s play a postseason in a 14,000-seat park. But this season (again), they ended in fourth place.

Los Angeles Angels, another last-place finish. I’m sorry for one of the true gentlemen of the game, Mike Trout, whom I covered and broadcasted many of his hits as a rookie and then fMVP seasons and who is trying to ride what could be a Hall of Fame career. With only one Trout in this lake, they will not fish much in 2025. Oh, and I’m sorry for a great man and Manager, Ron Washington; he doesn’t deserve this punishment.

National League (East)

1-Atlanta

2-Philadelphia

3-New York

4-Washington

5-Miami

Atlanta Braves, With Ronald Acuña Jr back this year and Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Michael Harris, have enough powder to get into lots of rallies, and the pitching is still top-notch. They are the team to beat. And for another year, a treat for winning the league.

Philadelphia Phillies, with their great, passionate fans, could win or at least go down to the wire with the Braves, but second place is a safe bet.

New York Mets. Drama in Queens is always on the air. They talk about a pennant but fall short. The NY media creates bogus trade rumors. What else is new?

Washington Nationals should be happy not finishing last. They won their World Series a few years ago, so they should keep enjoying that.

Miami was my second city when I was a teenager. Bienvenidos a Miami, but I’m sorry—they are still a last-place club. Keep the nightclubs in South Beach going!

National League (Central)

1-Chicago Cubs is the best team in this division. Like Sinatra used to say:”My Kind of Town”.

2-Cincinnati Reds (I pick them to surprise everybody, including themselves….if they could only have pitching, this is an inspiring young and fast team

3-Milwaukee Brewers. The days when they were on top are coming to an end. Keep the Beer production.

4-St Louis Cardinals. They always seem to have a lot of Cards and have won 11 World Series, only second to the Yankees. This 2025…close, but no cigar!

5-Pittsburgh Pirates. Last place, in Spanish, also, último lugar.

National League West

1-Los Angeles is the Best team in this Division and League, probably in baseball. They are going for it again, with lots of influence in Japan, as they are already undefeated there.

2-Arizona. If the Dodgers collapse, which will probably be the biggest earthquake of all, the Diamondbacks will win this race

3-San Diego. A lot has to be said about an afternoon game at their beautiful park in San Diego; their fans are restless and looking to put it all together. Maybe?

4-San Francisco Giants. They are now under the Buster Posey Government. They made some interesting off-season changes and could win 82 games. Wild Card?

5-Colorado Rockies. No comment. But the Rocky Mountains are spectacular.

World Series? Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Dodgers.

You might agree or disagree with me, and that would be normal after all this is America. But remember, at the end, it is only baseball!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda rally to defeat Condors 6-3 Sunday; SJ heads to San Diego for Wed face off with Gulls

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San Jose Barracuda forward Pavol Regenda (77) tries to get the puck past Bakersfield Condors goaltender Olivier Rodrigue (33) at Tech CU Arena in San Jose on Sun Mar 23, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda scored three special team goals in a 6-3 route of the Bakersfield Condors on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

#2 San Jose swept the weekend home-and-home series and has won three games in a row. Bakersfield has lost three games in a row. 

#3 The Barracuda moved up to fifth place in the Pacific Division one point ahead of the Calgary Wranglers with 72 points.

#4 Marko, the Barracuda got defense and offense in this one on Sunday. On the defensive side they held the Condors to only one goal in the first period and allowed two in the second and on offense the Barracuda scored twice in the second period and three times in the third period to put it away with a three goal win.

#5 The Barracuda travel to San Diego for a Wednesday night game and a 7:00pm PDT face off. The Gulls are in last in the Pacific Division and have lost five of their last ten games. The Barracuda are sixth and have won six of their last ten games. Set this one up for us.

Marko Ukalovic does the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason: Kings try to turn it around against Celtics tonight

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On the Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The Milwaukee Bucks started out slow against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday but were able shake off the cob webs and make a come back to defeat the Kings at Golden 1 in Sacramento 114-108.

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored with 32 points, 17 rebounds, teammate Kyle Kuzma scored 14 points with 14 rebounds. the Bucks were down 25-17 in the one quarter were also behind 14 points in the early portion of the third quater.

#3 The three Bucks who got after it were Brook Lopez scored 21 points, Kevin Porter Jr scored 18 points, and Taurean Prince had 11 points.

#4 Great effort by the Kings DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points, Keon Ellis 20 points, Jonas Valanciunas 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists but the Kings fell six points short.

#5 Barbara this was a tough loss for Sacramento and they were coming off a tough loss to the Chicago Bulls two nights before and the Bucks were also another tough customer. The Kings are back to the drawing board on Monday night they host they Boston Celtics. The Celtics are second in the Eastern Conference 51-19 and one of the most powerful teams in the NBA. Can the Kings regroup and upset Boston on Monday night on their home floor.

Barbara Mason does the Kings podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento’s Major League Moment Has Arrived

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Newly renovated Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento shines in the late March Sun as the Giants took on the River Cats (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson/SRS)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Baseball in Sacramento is nothing new. Yet, having a team at the sports pinnacle of competition call the city home is uncharted territory.

The Sacramento River Cats have been playing in the West Sacramento ballpark since the year 2000. Sutter Health Park, formerly known as Raley Field, sits across the Sacramento River from downtown and the capitol building of the state of California. On hot summer nights, the delta breeze rolls in to cool the ballpark down, making it one of the best minor league baseball experiences in the country.

Yet, it was nowhere near Major League Baseball standards.

With the A’s departure from Oakland this past fall after decades of uncertainty surrounding a stadium, the Athletics Baseball Club finds itself in the cozy confines of Sutter Health Park for the 2025 season and beyond. The current plan is for the A’s to be in Sacramento through 2028, but who knows how that timeline will hold up. Nevertheless, the ballpark needed significant upgrades for the A’s to call it their home, albeit temporarily.

Who was responsible for improving the stadium?

Well…

The River Cats and the stadium are now owned by the chairman and owner of the Sacramento Kings, Vivek Ranadive. Vivek purchased the club and the stadium in an August 2022 deal that some saw as a first step in bringing MLB to Sacramento. “I’ve been in touch with the commissioner, I’ve gotten to know him, Rob Manfred, and they will be creating a new team,” Vivek said in Spring 2024. “They want it to be on the West coast, they would love it to be in California, and I think this is a great showcase for us. We can prove that there’s a market here and we can make the team successful. I think we are in full position to get the new franchise… We are investing in making this an MLB-level stadium, and our hope is that it leads to a permanent MLB team.” Clearly, for Vivek, this is about more than a temporary stay for the Athletics.

With Vivek’s vision for the city in mind, the team got busy on improvements to the stadium this past offseason. On Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend the first baseball game at the new and improved venue, a matinee affair.

The stadium and playing surface underwent significant improvements that include a new 75’ x 32’ scoreboard in right-center field, a new network along with improved audio systems, a renovated visiting clubhouse, a new multi-level home clubhouse that includes a weight room and hitting tunnels, a new grass and dirt playing surface specially designed to handle the heat and heavy use this summer, and an additional rooftop seating area on top of the home clubhouse.

The improvements are impressive, and they surely elevate the grounds to MLB standards. Kings president of business operations John Rinehart, who oversaw the renovations, and owner Vivek Ranadive can be proud of the new-look ballpark.

Giants starter Landen Roupp discussed what he thought about the upgrades after his five innings of one-run ball on Sunday: “It’s beautiful, a lot better than it was. It felt good to play here again and see the upgrades. It was really nice.”

Giants scheduled opening-day starter and Rocklin (a 20-minute drive from Sacramento) native Logan Webb also had good things to say when asked about his initial impressions of the stadium: “I noticed the scoreboard, and the batter’s eye. The grass is nice… it looks good!”

The Athletics will officially christen the new digs in the first MLB regular-season game on March 31st at 7:05 P.M. PST. The A’s will take on the visiting Chicago Cubs in the much-anticipated three-game series at Sutter Health Park.

So, while baseball in Sacramento is not new, MLB baseball in the capital city certainly is. It’s an exciting time for local baseball fans, as a year of anticipation finally becomes reality. The stage is set for the city to show what it can offer MLB, and don’t be fooled—the league and commissioner Rob Manfred will be watching closely.

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Blinded by the Golden Flashes 77-75; Raynaud’s Final Double-Double

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) takes aim at the basket against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Mar 23, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (21-14) were unable to control the Kent State Golden Flashes (24-11) 77-75, and ended their run in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament.

Stanford took the lead early in the contest on a three by Oziyah Sellers. That three point advantage turned out to be their largest of the entire game. Kent State also posted their largest lead (13) of the game in the first half.

The Golden Flashes used a 12-0 run to get their double-digit lead, the Cardinal had an 11-0 run to try to stay close by halftime.. Kent State shot 46% from the field in the initial 20-minute stanza, while Stanford was held to 40%. Both squads shot approximately 39% from beyond the arc.

The Cardinal managed to trim their deficit to single figures (9) by halftime, 43-34 and actively made another run at the lead in the second half. There were three lead changes and one tie before recess.

Jaylen Blakes led the Cardinal in scoring (10) at the midway point of the tourney battle. Jalen Sullinger topped the Golden Flashes with 20 points.

Oziyah Sellers started the second half as he did in the first, with an immediate basket. His layup cut the margin to seven, and the Maples’ faithful were getting excited. Less than five minutes into the final half, Stanford had regained the lead on a left-handed hook by Raynaud The second half produced four more lead changes and an additional tie.

The home team unknowingly was in a prime position to have an upper hand in advancing in the NIT. During the scuffle on the Farm, the #1 seeded San Francisco Dons were losing on the top of the peninsula. That loss put the second ranked Cardinal as the top seed, and guaranteed another home game at Maples. That was contingent on taking care of the task at hand, beating their opponent from Ohio.

Try as they would, with multiple comeback attempts, the Golden Flashes were able to sustain their advantage and knock down the mighty Maples tree and end the home court heroics of the Cardinal. When the final buzzer sounded, after 40 minutes of intense basketball action, Stanford’s season came to an abrupt halt, while Kent State would advance to the third round.

The Golden Flashes won by two, 77-75, and ended two great careers who proudly wore the Cardinal uniform. Although Jaylen Blakes only played one year on the Farm, he cherished his brief time at the university. He finished his last game with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Maxime Raynaud ended his career high on multiple historic lists, including double-doubles, in which he appropriately did on his final game in the pavilion (22 points and 10 rebounds) and blocked 4 shots for good measure

Chisom Okpara offered 13 points and 5 rebounds, while the heir-apparent, Oziyah Sellers delivered 11 points and 6 rebounds. Two players who should have larger roles in 2025-26.

Returning walk-on, Jalen Sullinger led all players with 34 points, but he also added to his impressive stat line, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Teammate Delrecco Gilespe also produced his own double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds), and VonCameron Davis chipped in 12 points.

The Cardinal will begin their offseason, gearing up for 25-26, while Kent State will be heading to Chicago to take on Loyola – Chicago in Third Round NIT action next week. Gametime will be announce at a later date

Giants Fall Short in Sacramento, Drop Exhibition to River Cats 4-3

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Sunset over the Tower Bridge in Sacramento during the late innings of the Giants vs River Cats matchup. (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The San Francisco Giants visited Sacramento on Sunday evening, playing as the home team at Sutter Health Park. The Giants faced off against the River Cats at 5:05 PM PST in the upgraded venue that will soon host the Sacramento A’s regular-season games beginning March 31st. However, the River Cats came away with a 4-3 victory over the Giants in West Sacramento.

The Giants started scoring early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jung Hoo Lee doubled home Heliot Ramos with a line drive to right-center field, and later Luis Matos reached base on a throwing error, allowing Lee to score.

The Giants’ offense struck again in the second inning, extending their advantage to 3-0 when Christian Koss doubled in Casey Schmitt. Unfortunately, this marked the end of their scoring for the night, as the River Cats took control from that point forward.

In the fourth inning, the River Cats began chipping away at the deficit as Logan Porter doubled home Hunter Bishop, cutting the Giants’ lead to 3-1.

Giants starter Landen Roupp turned in a strong performance, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit, one earned run, and one walk, with eight strikeouts. Roupp remains in contention for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Time will tell if he or Birdsong gets the nod for Manager Bob Melvin. 

In contrast, Hayden Birdsong, competing with Roupp for the rotation spot, struggled significantly. Birdsong entered in the sixth inning but was pulled after recording just one out, allowing three hits, two walks, and three earned runs. The River Cats took advantage, scoring three runs in the inning to pull ahead 4-3.

Kai-Wei Teng and Justin Garza combined to pitch the remaining 3 1/3 innings for the Giants, holding the River Cats scoreless. Despite their efforts in the ninth, the Giants’ offense couldn’t produce additional runs, and the game ended in a 4-3 loss. 

After a strong spring, the Giants are feeling good as they return to San Francisco on Sunday night. They have two official spring training games remaining before Opening Day on March 27th against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Key Performers:
Heliot Ramos had a strong showing, going 2-2 with a double and a walk.
Landen Roupp delivered five innings of one-run baseball with eight strikeouts.

Up Next: The Giants return to San Francisco for their first game at Oracle Park this season, hosting the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training action at 6:45 PM PST.

Barracuda blasts Condors 6-3, sweep weekend series

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San Jose Barracuda forwards Anthony Vincent (#76) and Ethan Cardwell sandwiched forward Walker Duehr’s (#55) second goal of the game in a 6-3 win over the Bakersfield Condors at Tech CU Arena on Sunday MAR 23, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda scored three special team goals in a 6-3 route of the Bakersfield Condors on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose swept the weekend home-and-home series and has won three games in a row. Bakersfield has lost three games in a row. The Barracuda moved up to fifth place in the Pacific Division one point ahead of the Calgary Wranglers with 72 points.

San Jose (32-21-4-4-72 points) drew first blood late in the first period on the man advantage. Andrew Poturalski fed a pass back up to the point over to Jack Thompson. The Cuda defenseman waited before whipping a wrist shot past Condor’s goalie Olivier Rodrigue for his third goal of the season at the 17:13 mark.

The AHL’s number one power play has scored a power play goal in nine straight games that tied a franchise record.

Bakersfield (26-25-6-3-61 points) registered 14 shots in the opening frame but could not get a puck past Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere who looked sharped throughout the period. Carriere robbed Darren Brady with a glove save out of midair with Brady attempting to score into an open net with 35 second remaining in the period.

San Jose doubled its lead 25 seconds to start the second power with its second power play goal of the contest. Poturalski found Rem Pitlick down low in the slot. Pitlick laid a backhand pass over to Danil Gushchin who buried a shot past Rodrigue to the far side for his 25th goal of the season. Gushchin has scored a goal in four straight games.

Walker Duehr scored the first of his two goals to give the Cuda its third unanswered goal of the game just over three minutes later. Ethan Cardwell’s shot deflected off of Cam Dineen. Duehr collected the puck, spun around and fired a shot that beat Rodrigue to the short side for his 15th goal of the season at the 13:50 mark of the period.

Bakersfield responded 25 seconds later to get on the scoreboard. Darren Brady’s shot from the left slot was cleaned up by Ethan Keppan for his first in a Condors uniform and second of the season at the 14:15 mark.

Duehr extended San Jose’s back to a three-goal lead with his second goal of the game while the Cuda were on the penalty kill to start the third period. Duehr intercepted a pass by Kyle Mayhew a the blueline that led to a breakaway. Duehr beat Rodrigue with a backhander for a short-handed goal, his 16th goal of the season. San Jose has scored nine short-handed goals this season.

Pavol Regenda put the game away with 10th goal of the season at the 5:42 mark. Jimmy Schuldt sent an outlet pass out Regenda who skated in and beat Rodrigue with a wrist shot below the arm to the far side of the net.

Matthew Savoie scored his 17th goal of the season just past the halfway mark of the final frame. Savoie beat Carriere with a forehand to backhand move in front of the crease after taking a cross-ice pass from Drake Caggiula at the 10:16 mark.

San Jose regained its four-goal advantage Schuldt joined the scoring party. Thomas Bordeleau drove toward the net but fanned on his shot attempt. The Cuda captain pinched in from the point and beat Rodrigue top-shelf for his sixth goal of the season at the 13:53 mark.

Dineen completed the scoring with a power play goal with four seconds left in the game. Dineen’s shot from got through a sea of traffic in front of the crease for his eighth goal of the season.

Carriere (7-5-2-2) finished the game stopping 33 of the 36 shots to earn his seventh victory of the season. Rodrigue (18-14-6-1) made 38 saves on 44 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield went 1-for-5.

Bakersfield has given up 10 short-handed goals on the season.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Duehr (2G, 0A) 2) Poturalski (0G, 2A) 3 Regenda (1G, 0A).

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its season series with the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 3/26 at Pechanga Arena of San Diego.

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Mar 23, 2025: Rays McClanahan leaves with arm injury; Guardians Bibee signs 5 yr $48 million deal; plus more MLB news

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Cleveland Guardians starter Tanner Bibee delivers to the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning during the Grapefruit League action at Goodyear AZ on Mon Mar 17, 2025. Bibee signed a five year $48 million deal on Sat Mar 22, 2025 with the Guardians (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Mar 23, 2025

#1 Tampa Bay Rays left handed pitcher Shane McClanahan suffered triceps tightness to his pitching arm. McClanahan will take imaging tests to get an idea how serious the injury is. McClanahan had Tommy John surgery and had not pitched in one game since August 2023. McClanahan pitched 2 1/3 inning giving up a hit and a walk, striking out three batters before having to leave.

#2  Cleveland Guardians right handed pitcher Tanner Bibee signed a five year deal on Saturday worth $48 million. Bibee will also pitch on opening day Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. Bibee went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA last season.

#3  Arizona Diamondbacks closer Justin Martinez a right hander has signed a $18 million with five year contract. Martinez is competing for the closing job. The contract surpasses his one year MLB contract that was $772,200 and $335,7000 minor league salary.

#4 San Francisco Giants DH and outfielder Jerar Encarnacion suffered a fractured left hand during Friday’s spring training game attempting to make a ctach in the outfield. The Giants didn’t say how long that Encarnacion will be out. Encarnacion hit two home runs, 14 RBIs and a .302 batting average in spring training.

#5  Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani slugged his first home run of the 2025 season on Wednesday as the Dodgers would win the game against the Chicago Cubs 6-3 at the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday. The home run did have to be reviewed as the ball deflect off a fan and fell onto the field.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks At Long Last Beat Bruins 3-1; SJ gets key goal from Carlsson in third period

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San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky directs the players from behind the bench against the Boston Bruins in the third period on Sat Mar 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It has been a very long time since the San Jose Sharks beat the Boston Bruins, in fact it has been 3,294 days ago. They broke that chain Saturday night winning the game 3-1 with the go ahead and winning goals scored in the third period. William Ecklund, Barclay Goodrow and Lucas Carlsson each scored a goal in a solid offensive effort.

Game recap: Although neither team was able to score in the opening period; it was the Sharks scoring the first goal of the game in the second period. San Jose’s William Ecklund scored assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Luca Cagnoni for the San Jose 1-0 lead. The Sharks held onto the slim lead as the time-clock began to wear down. The Bruins tied up this with a little over three minutes left in the period. At 16:50 Casey Mittlestadt scored assisted by Cole Koepke. This game had been a tight one from the opening face-off.

The 1-1 tie held deep into the third period. The Sharks had some great opportunities but Bruin goalie Joonas Korpisalo was just as stingy as San Jose’s Alexander Georgiev. Both goalies were doing a solid job but that was all to change in the late minutes of the third period.

San Jose would take back the lead and break the tie at 16:37. Lucas Carlsson scored assisted by Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Lucas Carlsson back after years and playing his first game as a Shark ending up scoring the winning goal. He was activated from the Barracuda for Saturday night’s game and what an incredible night he finished with finishing off the Bruins and handing them their fifth loss in a row.

The Sharks really took it to the Bruins in the final period. After taking back the lead, San Jose’s Barclay Goodrow slugged in his fifth goal of the season to solidify the win. He was assisted by William Ecklund and Lucas Carlsson who had a very busy night. The Sharks now improve their season record 19-42-9. This win has been a long time coming almost a decade ago.

Game notes: Saturday night the Sharks hosted the Bruins at the SAP Center. The Sharks continued to struggle losing on Thursday to the Hurricanes 3-1 as Carolina won their eighth game in a row while the Sharks took their fifth loss of their last 6 games and 32 of their last 40 games prior to Saturday night’s win.

They have struggled all season and had to contend with the loss of Marc-Edouard Vlasic who did not play with an upper body Issue. Vlasic was unable to take the ice Saturday night with a projected return date of March 27.

His absence didn’t affect the team’s defensive lineup as the Sharks held the Bruins to just one goal and unfortunately Vlasic has already missed 12 games due to injury this season. The Bruins have had a rough patch as well now having lost five games in a row and couldn’t turn this game around for a win over San Jose.

The Sharks have a 19-42-9 record this season and the Bruins have a 30-32-9 record with both teams taking up residence near or at the bottom of their respective divisions. The Sharks has been without Logan Couture for five months now and there still remains no timeline for his return. He remains a week to week with a lower body injury incurred during offseason training. This was to be be his 15th season with the Sharks.

This win came as a result of some solid play as well as solid decisions. San Jose played a well-rounded game Saturday night. It was William Ecklund, Barclay Woodrow and Lucas Carlsson who spear-headed the win but the entire team was playing as a unit. Goalie Alexander Georgiev had what may have been his best game this season. He was solid but for the one goal scored by Boston.

The Sharks will next take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at SAP this Thursday night with face-off scheduled for 7:30 PM.

Cooley and Kerfoot Strike Lightning Twice In 6-4 Utah HC Win Over Tampa Bay

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Utah Hockey Club’s Logan Cooley (92) scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sat Mar 22, 2025 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Here is Cooley getting congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Sun Mar 16, 2025. (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah forwards explode for six goals while notching the team’s seventh home win over the past 9 games in hard fought victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Utah Hockey Club played a rare early afternoon game at Delta Center on Saturday, hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning who have outscored every other team in the league except the Washington Capitals and boasts the highest plus/minus differential in the NHL.

Josh Doan struck first for the home team at 6:42 of the opening frame connecting at the goal crease on a perfect pass from Jack McBain from behind the net for his fifth goal of the season, with the second assist to Lawson Crouse.

With a little more than two minutes remaining in the period, Utah forward Nick Schmaltz fed Michael Kesselring the puck on a breakaway which was stopped by Lightning netminder Brandon Halverson, but Logan Cooley followed the play and punched the rebound into the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.

Shortly after the ensuing faceoff, Ian Cole was whistled for tripping against Nikita Kucherov, resulting in a power play goal for Brayden Point, his 33rd on the season, assisted by Jake Guentzel and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

At 5:22 of the second period, Tampa Bay forward Anthony Cirelli evened the score on a slap shot for his 24th goal of the season, assisted by Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov. 36 seconds later Utah would regain the lead when forward Kevin Stenlund one-timed a cross ice pass from John Marino to find Alexander Kerfoot in front of the net who knocked it in for his 9th goal of the season.

With 2:37 remaining in the period, Lightning forward Jake Guentzel tied things up once again, tipping in a pass from Nick Perbix for his 34th goal of the season, but 30 seconds later John Marino launched a shot from the blue line which Logan Cooley deflected into the net for his 21st of the season, putting Utah back on top 4-3 as the period closed.

Barely a minute into the third period, Clayton Keller was stopped at close range by Brandon Halverson, who immediately turned away a rebound attempt by Logan Cooley but was unable to stop Nick Schmaltz on a second rebound backhand shot for his 17th goal of the season and a 5-3 lead.

Less than two minutes later Brayen Point could cut the lead to one again with his second goal of the game, assisted by Ryan McDonagh and Jake Guentzel. Earlier in the season Utah struggled to maintain third period leads, but Karel Vejmelka, playing in his career high 13th consecutive game, held the Lightning offense scoreless the rest of the way, fending off a Tampa Bay power play with 2:09 remaining due to a too many men on the ice penalty.

With 57 seconds remaining, Alexander Kerfoot fired the puck into an empty net for his 2nd goal of the night and 10th of the season, giving Utah the 6-4 victory, their seventh at home over their past 9 contests.

In the locker room, Kerfoot talked about Utah’s recent success at home. “I think the crowd’s been unreal. I mean, third period there towards the end of the game—that’s a loud building that’s fun to play in. We’ve obviously placed an emphasis on being at home, I don’t think that our mindset has really changed, but we’ve just dug in here down the stretch and it’s a fun place to play. It feels like we’ve got momentum when we come home and when we’re playing in front of our fans. … I think that this was a great atmosphere for kids to come and watch the game and this is a new market, we’re trying to grow hockey here. SEG’s done an awesome job of growing the game in this community and to have a night like this where we get to bring in some youth hockey players and some kids during an early game on the weekend, it’s really fun and I hope that we can do that again in the future.”

In a game full of momentum swings, Logan Cooley talked about managing emotions. “It was kind of a crazy game, honestly. We were up two but then a goal gets called back, but you know, we just kept going at it and I thought we were playing the right way the whole third [period] there and then we got the outcome with a big two points.” With regard to his personal compete level, Cooley remarked, “I think just for me, I try to be the best version of myself each and every day and just try to get as good as I can to become the player I want to be. Obviously, it comes back to the team and trying to get into the playoffs. Eventually, I want to get a Cup and I think that’s the biggest drive for me right now. Being in Utah, it’s special in front of these fans. There’s no better feeling than coming to the rink every day and working together towards one goal here.”

Head coach André Tourigny was all smiles in the media room. “Really happy about the offense we created tonight, but even more proud of the way we defended the rush and the way we closed the middle of the ice. That was a really tough challenge, tough team to do that against them. Obviously for individual performance, I think Sergey [Mikhail Sergachev] was really good. Cooley and his line, they were something else. They were really, really good. I think it’s a huge character win. … Right from the start of the game, the focus, the execution, the urgency was elite. I think everybody was engaged. Everybody was connected. We’re really disciplined, and in the way we had to play against those guys. Great effort from the boys.” Comparing his club’s protecting the lead in the third period with difficulties earlier in the season, Tourigny said, “It’s day and night. I think that the mindset, the composure, the assertiveness, you cannot even compare. I think our team grew a lot, and I think we have way more maturity now.”

Utah will square off on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings before embarking upon a three game road trip to Tampa Bay, Florida, and Chicago. They will then return for one final homestand of five games before finishing out the regular season on the road.