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.

Bucks Surge Late to Hand Kings 114-108 Defeat

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Jonas Valanciunas warms up prior to the Bucks game on Saturday night. Jonas had 18 points and seven rebounds in the game. (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings returned to action Saturday night, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center. The Kings entered the matchup amidst a tough homestand, coming off recent victories against the Grizzlies and Cavaliers and a loss to the Bulls on Thursday. Both teams were short-handed, with Damian Lillard unavailable for Milwaukee, and Sacramento missing Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk. Despite a strong start from Sacramento, the Bucks rallied late to secure a 114-108 victory.

The Kings opened the game playing stout defense, limiting the Bucks to just 17 points in the first quarter while scoring 25 points themselves. Sacramento struggled significantly from beyond the arc, shooting 1-10 from three, yet managed a respectable 42% from the field. The Bucks endured a dismal shooting quarter, converting only 29% of their shots and going scoreless from three-point range. Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with nine first-quarter points.

The Kings maintained their intensity into the second quarter, despite a Bucks surge that narrowed the margin to 43-42 with 4:41 remaining. Sacramento responded effectively, finishing the half strong and entering halftime with a 61-49 lead. The Kings outscored Milwaukee 36-32 in the quarter, led by Keon Ellis, who tallied 18 first-half points. For the Bucks, Brook Lopez matched Ellis’s first-half output with 18 points of his own.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Milwaukee surged back into contention. With a little over three minutes left in the quarter, the Bucks tied the game at 80. When the third-quarter dust settled, Milwaukee had outscored Sacramento 37-28, trimming the Kings’ lead to 89-86 heading into the fourth. Antetokounmpo was dominant, scoring 22 points in the quarter alone and shifting the momentum toward Milwaukee.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings faltered, unable to maintain their earlier success. Milwaukee outscored Sacramento 28-19, securing a 114-108 win. The Kings’ offense stagnated late, reverting to isolation basketball, a recurring issue. Sacramento struggled to make critical shots down the stretch, while Antetokounmpo finished with 32 points on 12-20 shooting, guiding the Bucks to victory.

After the game, Doug Christie addressed why Sacramento’s offense often becomes stagnant late. “I think many, many times, the defense blows the play up, and as the shot clock is going down, then you take your time,” Christie explained. “I think we have to explore early in the shot clock, and sometimes we’re not playing as fast as we need to, and then that allows them to press up. All of a sudden, it gets later in the shot clock, and now you become that [stagnant] without even knowing why it happened.” This recurring offensive inconsistency has plagued the Kings in late-game situations.

Keon Ellis echoed Christie’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for more ball movement. “Maybe it’s a thing of trying to get it to them [Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan] too much, too early,” Ellis said. “And I think probably we could move the ball a little bit more before we try to, you know, I would say, just go ISO ball.”

Playoff Picture: With the loss, the Kings fell to 35-35, remaining the ninth seed. They hold a slim 1.5-game advantage over the tenth-place Phoenix Suns and sit just 1.5 games ahead of the 11th-place Dallas Mavericks, dangerously close to dropping out of play-in contention entirely.

Key Performers: DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 22 points on 8-18 shooting. Keon Ellis contributed 20 points and six assists on efficient 6-10 shooting.

Up Next: The Kings remain at home and will face the Boston Celtics on Monday at Golden 1 Center, with tip-off set for 7 PM PST.

NSWL action: Anderson and Lema score big for Bay FC in 2-0 shutout over Louisville

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Thrill of victory as Bay FC wins their home opener against Racing Louisville at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Mar 22, 2025 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted their home opener against Racing Louisville on Saturday night in front of a packed crowd at PayPal Park. The Bay Area’s newest soccer team was looking to build on their performance from their inaugural season, when they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round following an own goal in extra time. Bay impressed big in their home opener match against the Racing with a 2-0 shutout.

Bay FC Starting XI: Silkowitz, Malonson, Dahlkemper, Anderson, Dydasco, Huff, Pickett, Bailey, Kundananji, Conti, Lema

Louisville Starting XI: Lund, Millet, Wright, Hase, Petersen, DeMelo, Borges, Sonis, Flint, Fischer, Sears

Kiki Pickett was shown a yellow card in just the second minute of the match. On the ensuing attack, Louisville had a solid scoring chance but it went just over the crossbar and landed on top of the net. Rachael Kundananji was taken down in a collision at midfield, but after a momentary delay got up and remained in the game.

Moments later, Bay FC got the first corner opportunity of the night, which Taylor Huff took. While nothing came of that chance, that wouldn’t be the case in the 12th minute when Huff stood over the ball for a free kick, the ball found its way to newly converted center back Joelle Anderson, who put the ball past Katie Lund into the back of the netting for a 1-0 Bay lead.

Kayla Fischer had Louisville’s strongest scoring chance to that point of the night in the 26th minute, but once again the shot went too high. In the 34th minute, Dorian Bailey tried to pick a corner on an ambitious shot that nearly went in but was just too high.

There was a long delay a few moments later, as Savannah DeMelo went down and had to be stretchered off the field. She was responsive and shook her teammates’ hands as she exited the field.

Bailey was shown a yellow card in the 45th minute. Late in stoppage time, Karlie Lema and Kundananji found themselves with only a single defender between them and the goal. Despite the easy play of getting the ball up to Kundananji, Lema showed outstanding levels of confidence for a rookie, firing off a rocket of a shot and extending Bay FC’s lead to 2-0. Not long later, Huff and Ary Borges collided, resulting in Huff being shown a yellow card.

At half-time, Bay led 2-0. Head coach Albertin Montoya opted not to make any changes heading into the second half, despite his team having three yellow cards already. Louisville waited until the 61st minute to make any changes, taking off Borges and Janine Sonis for Katie O’Kane and Sarah Weber. In the 63rd minute, Huff and Taylor Flint’s heads collided. Huff was fine, however Flint did get looked at by the trainer before remaining in the game.

Hannah Bebar came in during the 74th minute, making her NWSL debut, alongside Penelope Hocking, taking the place of Caroline Conti and Bailey. In the 90th minute, Huff nearly scored her first career goal as well, hitting the post.

Ultimately time would expire, and Bay FC would walk away with their first win of the season, 2-0.

Mississippi State’s Suffocating Defense Disrupts Cal Women In 59-46 Season-Ending Loss

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By Morris Phillips

After a first quarter teeming with missed shots, the Cal women unfortunately found additional competition for the attention of their ESPN television audience.

Needless to say, that wasn’t part of the gameplan.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State’s gameplan was on point with Bulldogs locked onto Cal’s shooters for the entirety of the game.

“We probably went through 15 games. That’s how detailed we were,” MSU’s coach Sam Purcell said. “The only thing I think we were missing is their social security numbers. We knew tendencies, which way they wanted to go. It was just really cool how my young women were dialed in and willing to accept the information, but then most importantly apply it.”

Attention to detail allowed Mississippi State to limit Cal to 25 percent shooting for the game including no made shots in the game’s first six minutes. With that success, MSU rolled to a 59-46 win, unceremoniously ending Cal’s season in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64.

Cal’s 25 percent shooting was a season-worst by a significant margin. Combined with 24 turnovers, the higher-seeded Bears offensive end of the floor was transformed into a pit of quicksand in which their postseason aspirations disappeared. After three quarters the Bears trailed 41-29 and weren’t able to get closer than a 12-point deficit at any point in the fourth.

“Their athleticism and their pressure forced us outside of our comfort zone, and we didn’t respond fast enough,” coach Charmin Smith said.

“In the second half, we were able to get Michelle in the mix a little bit, and that loosens things up for us. It was just too little, too late and definitely credit to Mississippi State.”

The Bears were one of eight NCAA qualifiers from the ACC, and along with Georgia Tech, the only ones to lose their initial NCAA Tournament game. The Bulldogs were the lowest-seeded of the 10 SEC qualifiers, but they showed greater poise early on and carried it for 40 minutes.

Michelle Onyiah led Cal with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Lulu Twidale added 13. Madina Okot and Eniya Russell each scored 14 points for the Bulldogs.

The Bears finished the season at 25-9, the best season they’ve enjoyed in six seasons with Smith at the helm. Cal loses four of its starters and will look to create a better balanced offensive attack with additional ball handlers for next year.

“Having Lulu, having the transfers come in, having the team — really special, obviously, 16-1 at home, beating Stanford twice, going to ACC, new conference,” Onyiah said. “Playing really well in the ACC. Going to new schools. Going to East Coast. Like all the adversity we have at Cal, like, we did really well. Being the No. 1 school in the nation. We did really well for what we do, honestly.”

With Cal faltering and MSU’s shooting just a tick better than Cal’s, the ESPN broadcast leaned heavily on Juju Watch. Juju Watkins, USC’s singular All-American didn’t sign many autographs after the Trojans zipped past UNC Greensboro in the day’s first game. Instead, she spoke in confidence with her mom then relocated conveniently behind the broadcasters at midcourt for a friendly conversation with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Feel good television and poor Cal basketball found a mix.

Barracuda win 8-6, Poturalski hat trick

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San Jose Barracuda vs Bakersfield Condors on Saturday March 22nd at Dignity Health Arena (via Madison Montez)

By Madison Montez

BAKERSFIELD–After a failure to make the glove save by Aaron Dell, the Condors struck first, three minutes in. Connor Carrick scored his second of the season as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Condors 8-6 at Dignity Health Arena.

The start of the first period was all Bakersfield, scoring three goals in the span of four minutes. Bakersfield is currently in eighth place in the standings of the Pacific Division, chasing a playoff spot.

San Jose cut into that lead when Braden Hache scored his second of the season and Walker Duehr scored his 14th of the season. Donavan Houle and Thomas Bordeleau registered the assists on both goals, recording two points in the first period alone.

San Jose didn’t back down without a fight. Guschin tied the game up in the second period scoring two goals in the span of 27 seconds. 52 seconds later, Ethan Cardwell gave San Jose their first lead of the game.

Two power-play goals and one regular goal by Andrew Poturalski in the third, gave San Jose the win.

Guschin was the standout player for the Barracuda, registering four points. two goals and two assists.

Aaron Dell was the starting goalie, making 33 saves on 39 shots. Carriere will get the start tomorrow.

Bakersfield is now on a one game winning streak. San Jose is now on a two game winning streak.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  • 1. Andrew Poturalski, 3G 1A
  • 2. Danil Guschin, 2G 2A
  • 3. Cam Dineen, 2G 1A

The Barracuda will be back in action Sunday at 5pm against this same Condors team, at home at Tech CU Arena.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal get after it in round 2 of NIT vs. Kent State at Maples Sunday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) converses with forward Aidan Cammann (52) during their game against the Northridge Cal State Matadors on Tue Mar 18, 2025 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 What a way for the Stanford Cardinal to start the post season with a 87-70 win over the Cal State Northridge Matadors. It was a fitting a great win for the Cardinal to get this NIT Tournament started.

#2 With the win the Cardinal improve their record to 21-13 which advances them to the second round for Cardinal head coach Kyle Smith it’s got to be pretty exciting to advance to that next round.

#3 The Cardinal are now 12-2 at Maple Pavilion and have won ten straight games at home which advanced them to the second round for the sixth consecutive time.

#4 Michael in that last win for Stanford on Tue Mar 18 against the Matadors the Cardinal Maxime Raynaud once again led with 22 points and Oziyah Sellers with 20 points.

#5 Stanford takes on the Kent State Golden Flashes here in second game of the NIT at Maples Pavilion. Kent State having a good season 23-11 and are 9-5 on the road. The Flashers are in third place. The Cardinal come in seventh in the ACC at 21-13. Tip off on Sunday 6:00pm PDT at Maples. Michael how do you see this one?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum Sun Mar 23, 2025: Vegas Stadium Authority is still waiting on A’s to come up with construction money

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The site of the Las Vegas A’s ballpark at the Tropicana on the Las Vegas strip which is being cleared for construction. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority is waiting for the A’s to come up with $100 million their share of the construction costs. (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, after all this time and the deadline to pay for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark construction costs was due last December the Sacramento A’s owner John Fisher’s payment is still on hold at the tune of $1.75 billion.

#2 As of last week the A’s need to get private money and at a price that is of higher value then the team itself to get the Vegas park and shovels into the ground. No word from the A’s on the loan for the ballpark that was supposed to come from U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs.

#3 The A’s right now need to come up with $100 million to just get started with limited public financing from the SB1 public funding bill that was approved in 2023 by the Nevada State Assembly for $380 million.

#4 Word is the Fisher Family has not come up with the funding and Las Vegas authorities can not confirm publicly or otherwise that the family has that kind of money or has that money to put down as of last week.

#5 A’s team president Sandy Dean said in an early March meeting with the Nevada Stadium Authority headed by Nevada Stadium Authority Chairman Steven Hill that the A’s will have the money coming from the Fisher Family and loans from U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs. It’s yet to be seen. There are two questions regarding the financing of the Vegas ballpark #1 What will the Nevada State Assembly do if the Fishers can not come up with their share of the construction costs so that money from the SB1 bill can start funding the ballpark. #2 Will this land on the lap of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who helped spearhead the A’s relocation and will MLB be forced to go back to the drawing board and have to find a new location for the A’s who are playing their interim years in Sacramento?

#6 Can Oakland get back at the table if Vegas falls apart? Oakland has an interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins and Oakland will vote for a new mayor in November either Barbara Lee or Loren Taylor. If John Fisher has no where else to go would he and Rob Manfred reconsider working with a new Oakland Mayor and renew interest in building a downtown Oakland ballpark?

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: After 47 years in Broadcasting -This happens

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The Athletics press release announcing the introduction of new A’s Spanish radio announcer Jose Reynoso which was posted on Facebook Fri Mar 21, 2025 (Press release image from the Athletics)

After 47 years in Broadcasting  -This happens.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

This morning, my wife was on the computer when she noticed the following on Facebook:

The A’s sent out a media release announcing that Spanish radio announcer Jose Reynoso has been named as the new play by play announcer on Lotus Broadcasting doing 75 home games for the 2025 season.

A’s Spanish radio for the 2025 season will be heard on Fox Sports radio 104.7 FM/890AM . Reynoso is a former Sacramento River Cats Spanish broadcaster. The 75 games will include weekends and weeknight games all broadcast from Sutter Health Field in Sacramento.

First, some context. The A’s knew I was willing to go with the team to Sacramento. Although they announced that all their English-speaking announcers on radio and television would continue in Sacramento (including two on TV in their second season), they never attempted to offer the Spanish announcers the same opportunity to continue with the team in Sacramento; so much for the DEI page on the Athletics website.

Yes, it is true; my name has been connected to Oakland for many years since 1977 when I first began with Charlie O Finley A’s; however, they took my friend Ken Korach to Sacramento, and his name has also identified with Oakland A’s franchise since his days of working with the legendary Bill King.

My inquiring mind wants to know if I have been discriminated against. My work has been on record for decades, and there have been no scandals for saying anything negative over the air or any other improprieties that would have harmed the Oakland A’s franchise. I was always willing to offer my advice about Hispanic affairs and community. When A’s staff called on me for advice regarding the Hispanic community, I was there. Until the next time.

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.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings face Giannis and Bucks Saturday at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) is under guard by Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (left) and Dalen Terry (right) during second half at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Mar 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Coby White of the Chicago Bulls (30-40) was an offensive force leading with 35 points that help keep the Bulls in the game during the first half against the Sacramento Kings (35-34).

#2 Jeremiah Kevin Hueter finished second in scoring for the Bulls with 25 points was there any advantage for Hueter to face his former team the Kings and to come off with a successful game against them.

#3 The Kings keyed in on Bulls Tre Jones whose has been an offensive weapon who scored 15 points but that didn’t stop the Bulls from getting some good offense and a 12 points win 128-116.

#4 DeMar DeRozan who formerly played for the Bulls was second in scoring for the Kings with 22 points was there no doubt that DeRozan has something to prove facing his former team on Thursday night?

#5 The Kings tip off against the Milwaukee Bucks this Saturday night at 7:00pm at Golden 1 in Sacramento. The Bucks are coming off a win against the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night 118-89. The Bucks are fifth in the NBA Eastern Conference at 38-30. How do you see this match up?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast Len Shapiro Thu Mar 20, 2025: Ovechkin closes in on Gretzky now 7 short of record as Caps edge Flyers; Taveras’ two goals help Leafs beat Rangers 3-2; plus more NHL news

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42 year old Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin (8) celebrates his 888th career goal putting him seven goals behind NHL goal scoring leader Wayne Gretzky against the Philadelphia Flyers Thu Mar 20, 2025 at the Capital One Center in Washington DC (AP News photo)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro Thu Mar 20, 2025:

#1  Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin lit the lamp for a career 888th time and now moves within seven goals to break former NHL great Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record at 894 goals. The Caps defeated the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena in Washington on Thursday night 3-2.

#2  The Toronto Maple Leafs edged the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night 4-3 and got some big help from John Tavares who had three points to reach 1,100 points for his career total. Taveras also scored two goals and got an assist to become the eighth NHL player to achieve 1,100 points.

#3 The Ottawa Senators have cooled off after winning six in a row dropped their second straight game this time to the visiting Colorado Avalanche at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa 5-1 on Thursday night. The Aves Brock Nelson scored the first two goals of the game. Cale Makar scored a goal and an assist and Nathan MacKinnon also scored. The Avalanche are on a roll having won nine of their last 11 games.

#4 The New Jersey Devils couldn’t hold the 3-1 lead as the visiting Calgary Flames came back with flurry scoring four times in the third period to defeat their hosts at the Prudential Center 5-3 in Newark NJ. It took the Flames 15 third period shots on net to convert four of them for goals. Scorers for Calgary Connor Zary, Danil Miromanov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri.

#5 It was a battle that carried over into overtime at Nationwide Arena in Columbus between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers resulting in a 1-0 Panthers win on Thursday night. The Jackets Alexsander Barkov scored from the top slot. The Jackets Kirill Marchenko at 19:30 put the puck over the glass and was called for delay of game and Barkov afterward ended up scoring the game winner. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots for the shutout his fifth this season.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com