Disastrous third period for Sharks gives Devils the victory 7-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Sharks continued their five game home stand against an Eastern Conference opponent the New Jersey Devils.

This game would be the second and final meeting between the two teams with the first game surprisingly enough going to the Sharks by a final of 6-3. That win over New Jersey was also the Sharks first road win of the season with Kahkonen doing most of the work making 44 saves.

Another surprising stat heading into this one is the fact that the Devils and the Sharks over their last ten share the same record of 4-5-1.

Mackenzie Blackwood faced off against his former team who heading into his one was sporting a 9-18-3 record with a 3.51 GAA and .898 SV%. On the other side of the ice it was Nico Daws in between the pipes who had a 7-8-0 record with a .895 SV % and 3.30 GAA.

Of course the biggest former player in this one was Timo Meier who was making his big return to SAP Center.

For the Sharks Filip Zadina was coming in as their hottest scorer with five points in four games.

Speaking of Zadina he almost scored just a couple minutes into this game as he wrapped one around the net that hit the far post and ricocheted out.

New Jersey ended up getting the first power play opportunity in this one as Henry Thrun blatantly interfered with Tyler Toffoli. While the power play did look threatening it looks like the media will continue to pester them about it as they did not score.

Late in the first a couple of interesting events happened. The first one being Blackwood exited the game during a break in the action as Kahkonen came in to replace him. Only a minute after that Alexander Barabonov found Nico Sturm wide open back door as he tapped home his fourth of the season. When the Sharks score first they are 11-8-3. The Devils on the other hand are 18-22-2 when their opponents score first.

It didn’t take long for the Devils to tie things up in the middle frame as less than four minutes in Jesper Bratt slid home his 22nd of the season. The goal came of an odd man rush between him and Timo Meier as they played a little bit of give-and-go before Bratt finished the play off.

Things continued to fall apart when Henry Thrun made a costly turnover that fead a Jack Hughes breakaway. Hughes did not miss as he snapped one in between the pads of Kahkonen making it 2-1 with the goal being his 19th of the season.

The Devils got their second power play of the night on a hold by Nikita Okhotiuk and would score as Timo Meier scored against his former team. At least it appeared that way until David Quinn challenged the goal for offside. He’d end up winning that challenge and the Sharks killed off the rest of the penalty.

That 2-1 score didn’t last long as Nico Hischier found a streaking Kevin Bahl who fired home a slap-shot from in close for his first goal of the season.

The Sharks would get a power play of their own later in the period but did not score keeping things at 3-1 heading into the final frame.

For San Jose they only have two wins when trailing after two periods so the odd were definitely not in the home teams favor.

The final period in this one felt like the Sharks from the beginning of the season who would casually give up ten goals a game came back to play. Before the ten minute mark had passed the Devils scored four goals with the third and fourth coming only a minute apart. Colin Miller and Bredan Smith got the first two while Dawson Mercer and Nico Hischier got the next two.

The last goal in this game would be scored by the Sharks as Justin Bailey whipped around and fired one that deflected off of a defender and in.

With the victory the Devils improve to 30-25-4 with 64 points. The loss makes the Sharks record 15-37-5 with 35 points.

The shots in this one favored the Devils at 45-31 while the Sharks went 0/1 on the power play and the Devils went 0/2.

Blackwood would not return to the game as Kahkonen would have to stay in.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Nico Hischier 2nd: Jack Hughes 3rd: Jesper Bratt

The last game of this home stand will be against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Fagemo’s hat trick dooms Barracuda in 8-2 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Ontario Reign forward Nikita Pavlychev looks to set a screen in the crease while San Jose Barracuda goalie Georgi Romanov looks on at Toyota Arena on Tuesday FEB 27, 2024. (Ontario Reign)

by Marko Ukalovic

Samuel Fagemo is an official ‘Cuda killer.

The Ontario Reign forward recorded a hat trick as his team routed the San Jose Barracuda 8-2 on Tuesday evening at Toyota Arena.

San Jose has lost four games in a row as they anchor the bottom of the Pacific Division. Ontario has won three games in a row as it gained sole possession of sixth place in the division with 58 points.

Ontario (26-19-3-3) drew first blood in the first two minutes of the opening period with an even strength goal. A giveaway by San Jose inside its own zone led to Samuel Helenius finding Nikita Pavlychev who buried a quick wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his first goal in 21 games at the 2:13 mark.

The Reign doubled its lead on the power play just over five minutes later. Martin Chromiak centered a back door pass off the skate of Francesco Pinelli, who was all alone to the right of the crease, for his sixth goal of the season at the 7:48 mark.

Sam Fagemo scored Ontario’s third unanswered goal in the opening frame with 49 seconds left. A missed odd-man rush for San Jose (17-26-8-1) led to a breakaway opportunity the other way for Fagemo who beat Romanov with a wrist shot for his team leading 26th goal of the season.

The Barracuda out shot Ontario 8-7 but could not a get a puck past Reign rookie goalie Erik Portillo. ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy pulled Romanov at the end of the period and inserted Magnus Chrona to start the second period. Romanov (6-7-5) gave up three goals on just seven shots.

San Jose got on the board with an even strength goal early the middle frame. Oscar Lindblom found Jack Studnicka with a cross ice pass. Studnicka made a fore-hand to backhand move to beat Portillo through the five-hole for his sixth goal of the season at the 2:43 mark.

The Lindblom-Studnicka connection hooked up once again this time on the power play. Lindblom found Studnicka in front of the net and Studnicka batted in his own rebound past Portillo for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at the 5:15 mark.

Joe Hicketts found himself at the right place at the right time to give Ontario another two-goal lead. Hicketts picked up a rebound from behind the net and wrapped around the puck into an empty net for his first goal in a Reign uniform. It was his first goal in 16 games.

The Reign regained their three-goal late in the period on the power play. T.J. Tynan sent a cross ice pass over to Fagemo who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his AHL leading 13th power play goal and 27th of the season at the 18:26 mark.

Charles Hudon scored the Reign’s third power play goal of the game with six seconds left in the second period. Hicketts set up Hudon who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his 18th goal of the season.

Kevin Connauton scored an empty netter from his own blue line for his second goal of the season at the 9:17 mark when the ‘Cuda pulled Chrona for an extra attacker.

Fagemo completed his trick when Tynan set him up for a one-timer at the 14:27 mark. Fagemo has two hat tricks against San Jose this season and has 11 goals in six games against the ‘Cuda.

Portillo (15-8-3-2) finished the game stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced to earn his 15th victory of the season. Chrona made 19 saves on 23 shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Ontario went 2-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Fagemo 2) Tynan 3) Pavlychev.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game road trip down in the desert when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 2/28 at Acrisure Arena at 7:00pm.

Warriors start the four-game road trip with a win over Wizards 123-112

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

The Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) is defended by the Washington Wizards guard Jared Butler (center) and forward Marvin Bagley III in the first half at the Capital One Center in Washington DC on Tue Feb 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors beat the Washington Wizards 123-112 at the Capital One Center in Washington DC to start a four-game road trip. The Warriors have now won 11 of the last 14 games played. Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, changed his lineup.

Andrew Wiggins had the night off. Kerr inserted Moses Moody into the starting lineup. The Warriors welcomed back point guard Chris Paul. Paul broke his left hand on January 5th in a game against the Detroit Pistons.

The Warriors were favored to beat the Wizards as Washington is having a dismal season. The Wizards traded for Jordan Poole. Poole was removed from the starting lineup as he was not performing the way he did when he was with the Warriors. But, as the fans know, anything can happen in a basketball game. The Warriors had to be careful not to let the Wizards pull off the upset. The Wizards played well in the first half and trailed by two 60-58 at halftime.

In the first quarter, the Wizards got off to a good start. At one point in that quarter, the Wizards led by nine, 25-16. The Warriors Klay Thompson made a couple of buckets to get the Warriors closer to the lead. Washington finished the quarter leading 25-23.

The Warriors outscored the Wizards 37-33 in the second quarter. Moses Moody connected on two three-pointers to help the Warriors get their offense going. Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II also played well during this period. The Warriors finished the half leading by two, 60-58. There was one amazing stat that was hard to believe. Stephen Curry did not score a single point in the first half.

The Warriors won the third quarter 38-17. Curry found his shot. Curry and Klay each made a couple of threes to lead the Warriors to a 23-point lead, 98-75, at the end of the period. The Wizards, to their credit, fought back in the final stanza. The Warriors have blown several big leads in the fourth quarter this year. The Wizards won the quarter 37-25. The 23-point deficit was too much to overcome. Washington closed the gap to ten, 120-110, but time ran out, and the Warriors won 123-112.

Game Notes: The Warriors improved to 30-27 with the win. The Wizards lost their 12th in a row and are 9-49. Thompson paced the Warrior attack with 25 points. Thompson made six threes in nine tries. Stephen Curry, scoreless in the first half, knocked down eighteen in the second.

Curry connected three times from downtown. Moses Moody finished with 12, Brandin Podzienski had seven points, four rebounds, and four assists. Kuminga had a big night with 21 points, six boards, and five assists.

Payton II tallied 13 points, and Chris Paul added nine points and six assists. The Warriors shot 50% from the floor and, as a team, knocked down 21 threes. They had 39 assists on 47 made field goals. The Warriors outrebounded the Wizards 54-45. 

The Wizards had six players in double figures. Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 27. Marvin Bagley III had 20 points and nine rebounds. Corey Kispert had 20, Landry Shamet had 16, and Tyus Jones had 14. Former Warriors Jordan Poole scored 12, coming off the bench.

The Warriors bench outscored the Wizards bench 59-15. That was the difference in the game.

The Warriors travel to New York City to play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden Thursday night. The game will start at 4 pm.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: No.3 Cardinal Women face OSU Thursday; Stanford Men tip off against Utah Thursday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (right) tries to dribble on Arizona State Sun Devils forward Sandra Magollico in the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Feb 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Stanford women crush Arizona State Sun Devils on Sunday 81-67. Stanford Kiki Iriafen led with 22 points and 20 rebounds and Cameron Brink had 14 points.

#2 The Stanford women were coming off a tough loss to the Arizona Wildcats 68-61 on Fri Feb 23rd. You knew the Cardinal would be not too happy after that loss and fired up in preparing to face ASU.

#3 The Stanford women face the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday night for a 7:00pm PT tip at Oregon State. Oregon State is third in the Pac 12 at 22-5 and are 15-1 at home. Could this game be just as difficult for Stanford as it was at Arizona?

#4 Michael, times have been tough for the Stanford men they have lost four in row and their most recent loss came against the Oregon State Beavers at Maples Pavilion 85-73 last Saturday night. You covered this game what was the biggest let down for Stanford not getting enough offense or the Beavers just came and was lights out from beginning to end on offense.

#5 The Stanford men try it all over again and hope to snap their four game losing streak Thursday night in Utah against the Utes. Utah are eighth in the Pac 12 at 16-11. The Utes have a good home record at 12-2 do you see the Cardinal having their hands full in this one?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Sharks hope to take advantage of struggling New Jersey tonight at SAP

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Sharks left winger Alex Barabanov (94) gets some of the Nashville Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon’s arm extension (right) at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Feb 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Titus:

#1 The San Jose Sharks just couldn’t figure out the Nashville Predators on Saturday night at SAP Center in San Jose losing in a two game contest 4-2.

#2 The Predators Kiefer Sherwood found the back end of the net twice, the Preds Filip Forsberg scored his 27th goal of the season against San Jose which proved big in the Nashville scoring tally.

#3 Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 23 shots and allowed two goals while the Predators Gustav Nyquist got an empty net goal against San Jose.

#4 The Sharks Filip Zadina and Mikael Granlund scored goals and the Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 31 Nashville shots but it was enough to match the Predators.

#5 The Sharks face the struggling New Jersey Devils tonight here at SAP Center in San Jose and the Sharks hope to take advantage of New Jersey’s downside and get back in the win column.

Titus Wilkinson is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Heat beat Kings one handed; Suspensions and injuries couldn’t stop Miami

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Miami Heat’s forward Jamie Jaquez Jr (11) tries to defend against the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (right) in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Feb 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Miami Heat’s (32-26) Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic and Thomas Bryant sat out the game in Sacramento on Monday night after being suspended for fighting on Friday with the New Orleans Pelicans. Meanwhile the Heat had four players out due to injuries Tyler Herro (left knee), Terry Rozier (right knee), Josh Richardson (right shoulder) and Orlando Robinson (back) and they still were able to beat the Sacramento Kings (33-24) 121-110.

#2 Try as hard as they did the Kings Domantas Sabonis once again scored another triple double with 14 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds leading the NBA with 21 triple doubles.

#3 Sabonis is something of a Superman becoming the tenth player in NBA history to have 40 straight double doubles.

#4 The Kings Keegan Murray had 28 points and De’Aaron Fox had 27 points despite their hard effort and working the Heat they needed more points and help than that.

#5 The Kings will try their luck again they’ll take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night at Ball Arena in Denver. The Kings have defeated the Nuggets in their last two meetings Feb 9 135-106 and Feb 14 102-98. Can the Kings take a third game from the NBA Champion Nuggets tonight?

Join Tony Renteria for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani makes his first start as a Dodger; Ex-Card pitcher DeLeon dies at 63; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodger designated hitter Shohei Ohtani at spring training will made his Cactus League debut on Tue Feb 27, 2024 as a designated hitter in Camelback Ranch in Glendale Arizona. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Los Angeles Dodgers two way player and for 2024 designated hitter Shohei Ohtani made his first start as a Dodger on Tuesday in Cactus League action at Camelback Ranch in Glendale Arizona stroking a home run. As a Los Angeles Angel Ohtani suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Aug. 23 as a pitcher and was relegated to designated hitter until he suffered an oblique collateral ligament injury that sidelined him for the rest of 2023. Ohtani will not pitch for the 2024 season and will DH for the Dodgers.

#2 Former St Louis Cardinal pitcher Jose DeLeon has passed away at age 63 as announced by Los Leones del Escogido DeLeon’s Dominican Winter League team. DeLeon pitched in the majors for 13 seasons and led St Louis in strikeouts in 1989.

#3 It was just a matter of time that Cody Bellinger would end up getting a sweet deal. Bellinger remained unsigned for most of the off season until spring training got underway and will rejoin the Chicago Cubs to the tune of $80 million for three years. Bellinger last season hit .307, 26 home runs, and 97 RBIs.

#4 Former Oakland A’s catcher and Seattle Mariners coach Stephen Vogt was excited about making his managing debut with the Cleveland Guardians against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear Arizona last Saturday. Vogt last played in 2022 and hit a home run in his last MLB at bat in Oakland. Vogt said this was like the first day of schools starting his managerial career on Saturday.

#5 Amaury, with some new faces in the Oakland A’s NBC Sports California TV booth with play by play announcers Jenny Cavnar and Chris Caray and color announcer Dallas Braden. All three bring something to the Athletics TV booth this season, Cavnar the first female lead TV play by play announcer, Caray the great grandson of Harry Caray will be the number two voice on the broadcasts and Dallas Braden returning doing the color. Braden most remembered for throwing a perfect game no hitter on Mother’s day on May 9, 2010.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: With 3 players suspended, 4 out with an injury the Heat still beat Kings 121-110

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (left) and Domantas Sabonis (right) chest bump after being fired up during pre game introductions at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Feb 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night. The Kings were fresh off the first night of a back-to-back that saw them defeat the LA Clippers. The Kings beat the Clippers on Sunday night 123-107 at the Crypto.com arena.

The real test for the Kings would be on the second night of the back-to-back. Monday night, the Kings were set to welcome in the Miami Heat. The Heat came into the game winners of three straight games. The Kings had won their previous two games. On Monday night, the Heat defeated the Kings 121-110.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a quick start. The Kings outscored the Heat in the first quarter 33-32. The Kings would look to tighten up the defensive side of the ball in the second quarter to increase the advantage. Keegan Murray got started early with 12 points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings faltered a bit. The Heat were able to erase the Kings one-point lead in the first quarter to take their own lead. The Heat would outscore the Kings 33-29 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a three-point lead.

You could feel the momentum shift to the Heat to end the half as the Kings were looking for defensive answers. It was a very up-and-down half. At one point, the Kings led by double figures. However, they would go into halftime trailing 65-62.

In the third quarter, the Heat exploded for 36 points. On the other hand, the Kings could only score 19 points of their own. The Kings dug themselves a big hole heading into the fourth quarter, trailing 101-81. The game looked all but over as the Heat outscored the Kings by 17 points in the quarter. However, the Kings still had some run left in them.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings made a big push to win the game, going on a run that saw them cut the lead to four points. However, the Heat bounced back to stop the bleeding and ultimately win the game 121-110. The Kings did outscore the heat 29-20 in the fourth, but it was too little too late. It was a tough loss for the Kings playing a Heat team with many of its key players down.

Post game notes: The Heat’s Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, and Thomas Bryant were out with suspensions for their fight with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday and four Miami players were out with injuries Tyler Herro (left knee), Terry Rozier (right knee), Josh Richardson (right shoulder) and Orlando Robinson (back).

Domantas Sabonis did what has become normal this season, scoring his league-leading 20th triple-double. Sabonis has 40 consecutive double-doubles, the longest streak since 2011 Kevin Love. De’Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings in scoring with 27 points. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 28 points.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets at 6 PM PST on Wednesday night.

Sportstalk podcast at Sushi Confidential downtown San Jose Feb26, 2024

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sushi Confidential at 26 San Pedro Square, downtown San Jose (photo by Sushi Confidential)

Marko Ukalovic (host and San Jose Barracuda beat writer), Titus Wilkinson (San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda beat writer), Troy Ewers (San Jose State Spartans and SJ Sharks beat writer) and Chiranbir Mahal (INDTV USA) with our host owner of Sushi Confidential Restaurant Randy Musterer.

Were podcasting from the Sushi Confidential San Pedro Square location at 26 San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose. There are three Sushi Confidential locations here in the South Bay to serve you 247 East Campbell Avenue in downtown Campbell, 17340 Monterey Road Morgan Hill and right here at San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose.

Sushi Confidential serves sustainable wild caught California Halibut caught off the coast of Santa Cruz. This is as fresh as it gets. Sushi Confidential offers a full menu made to order of Nigiri Sushi, special rolls, and try a favorite the sticky pork bao buns from the starter menu.

There is so much to choose from hot entrees, salads, ramen, a kids menu, to the eight piece Sushi Confidential rolls. Sushi Confidential with three South Bay locations in Campbell, Morgan Hill and downtown San Jose.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: After winning 9 of 10 it all comes to screeching halt for Golden State in loss to Denver

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) in the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Feb 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Warriors had really turned things around winning their last 9 of 10 game but that all came to and end last night when they took on the defensing champion Denver Nuggets.

#2 The Warriors had a great opening quarter at one time taking a 15 point lead but the Nuggets fought back tying up the game at halftime 61 apiece. Klay Thompson had an electric first half shooting for 23 points but it was a Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde going silent in the second half.

#3 Another disappointment for Golden State was a poor game for Stephen Curry. He did not hit a three until the third quarter and that would be it for him going 1 of 10 in the game.

#4 Nikola Jokic was outstanding registering his 18th triple double of the season. He was as always an offensive and defensive threat throughout then game and along with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon they finished off the Warriors in the second half.

#5 The Warriors now head out on the road taking on the 9-48 Washington Wizards.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com