NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Matthews gets Leafs by Jets 1-0 with late goal; Panthers clobber Coyotes 6-2; plus more news

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The Toronto Maple Leafs forward Austin Matthews (34) scores on the Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit (39) in overtime at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Jan 24, 2024 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs put a win together on Wednesday night with Austin Matthews who scored with just 47 seconds left in the overtime stanza. The Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov saved 32 shots in the 1-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

#2 The Florida Panthers Sam Reinhart scored a goal and an assist and is now on an 11 game point streak. That effort helped the Panthers defeat the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night 6-2.

#3 The Boston Bruins dropped their nine game point streak Wednesday night when the Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Martinook scored a third period goal to help the Hurricanes to a 3-2 win at TD Garden in Boston.

#4 The Colorado Avalanche crushed the struggling Washington Capitals with a 6-2 win as the Ave’s Nathan MacKinnon scored four goals and had an assist to increase his point steak to 24 games and 82 points.

#5 The Seattle Kraken crushed the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at Climate Pledge Arena 6-2. The Kraken scored twice in each period of the game. In the third period the Kraken’s Tomas Tatar scored twice.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Thursday night’s at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s owner John Fisher, spoke at Las Vegas event- -It is like the Groundhog Day movie; Fisher open to selling shares of team

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Mary Beth Sewald president/CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (left) and Oakland A’s owner John Fisher (right) sit down to discuss the A’s move to Las Vegas and all the ballpark intangibles at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Wed Jan 24, 2024 (photo by Nevada Independent)

A’s owner, John Fisher, spoke at the Las Vegas event– It is like the Groundhog Day movie

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The first public comments by A’s owner, John Fisher, were made on Wednesday in Las Vegas. He said he would like local Las Vegas investors to help him pay for the $1.5 billion A’s stadium at the Tropicana hotel-casino location on the Strip. Fisher spoke for about 20 minutes at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce event. He wants to find local capital for the stadium in Las Vegas as a way of engaging his new city.

He said about the Las Vegas park renderings: “We’ll release our renderings when you know when it’s the right time to do so,” Fisher said.

Speaking about the funding: “That will be funded mostly with equity from my family,” Fisher said. “We would like to consider raising capital, especially from local investors. That creates a connection to the community, and we’ve seen that with many other teams become a successful thing.”

Meanwhile, back in Planet Oakland, Mayor Shen Thao’s office told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “When the Athletics leave the Bay Area ahead of the team’s planned Las Vegas relocation, they won’t be missed.” The mayor’s office also responded to whether they have discussed extending the team’s Oakland Coliseum lease past its expiration date at the end of the 2024 season.

Leigh Hanson, Mayor Thao’s chief of staff, said no and then ripped into the club. According to the Review-Journal, Mr. Hanson added; “To date, they have not contacted or requested an extension to their lease from the Mayor, Alameda County, the joint powers agency that oversees the Coliseum, and perhaps most notably from the fans.”

The situation in Oakland is not a pretty one when businesses close because of a spike in crime as they continue to make news nationwide, not how they wanted. As a matter of fact, the A’s story is not as crucial for the city of Oakland as the current situation, where some Council Members are now asking the Mayor to declare a State of Emergency.

When a profitable In ‘n Out Burger restaurant announces they are leaving Oakland because of too much crime in their parking lot, the Mayor has a bigger problem than the baseball team.

From Amaury’s desk: This whole story is extremely close to the script of the 1993 Hollywood film: “Groundhog Day” where a cynical television weatherman relives the said day repeatedly. Actor Bill Murray’s predicament drives him to distraction until he sees a way of turning the situation to his advantage. Las Vegas has become Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on 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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors left it all on the court for Milojevic in victory over Atlanta

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Golden State Warriors players stand for the national anthem after watching a video dedicated to their late assistant coach Dejan Milojevic before their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wed Jan 24, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, after one week exactly after the passing of late assistant coach Dejan Milojevic there was little doubt that the impacted Golden State Warriors were playing this game in tribute to their late coach as the defeated the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center 134-112.

#2 Before the game the Warriors played a video tribute for Milojevic the players were moved and knew that this was a game they had to play for not on Milojevic but a game they had to move forward.

#3 The Warriors had had so many struggles from Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins complaining that head coach Steve Kerr did not give them enough minutes. The Draymond Green indefinite suspension and the death of Milojevic. Do you see this bring the team together after the struggles they’ve been through?

#4 Jerry, Stephen Curry and Kuminga both lead the Warriors in scoring against the Atlanta Hawks finishing with 25. It was a huge effort that pretty much took the Hawks out of their game.

#5 The Sacramento Kings and Warriors duel at Chase Center on Friday night for a 7:00pm PT tip off. The Kings after losing four straight also defeated the Hawks on Monday night 122-107. The Warriors are playing with a heavy heart how do you see this match up on Friday night?

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors dedicate 134-112 win over Atlanta Hawks to the memory of beloved coach Dejan Milojevic

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The Golden State Warriors assemble prior to their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center in San Francisco paying tribute and watching a video for their late former assistant coach Dejan Milojevic on Wed Jan 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors beat the visiting Atlanta Hawks 134- 112 Wednesday night at the Chase Center. The Warriors dedicated the game to the memory of coach Dejan Milojevic, who passed away last Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

Deki, as he was known, always had a smile on his face. Milojevic bonded with the players in his third season with the team, who considered him a brother. The team wore warm-up jerseys with the Serbian word for brother, Brate, on the front and Milojevic on the back.

Milojevich’s wife and two children were in the arena. It was extremely emotional. There were tears in the eyes of the Warrior players. Dario Saric and the Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovich, both from Serbia, were heartbroken.

The Warriors showed the memorial service held for Milojevic in Serbia before the start of the game. The Warriors knew they had to play basketball Wednesday night. By playing, the Warriors felt the game’s flow would take their minds off the sorrow of the evening. 

The Warriors’ last game was Tuesday, a week ago, when they lost to Memphis. The Warriors canceled practice on Monday as they still mourned Milojevic’s passing. The Hawks, coached by Quin Snyder, were hoping to get a win, but the Warriors had other thoughts. 

Curry made a three-point shot in the first quarter to start the game. The Hawks scored the next ten points. The Warriors found their offense and put 38 points on the board in the first quarter. The Warrior’s defense held the Hawks to 31 points, and the Warriors finished the quarter with a seven-point lead 38-31. 

The Hawks played well in the second period. Led by Jalen Johnson, Saddiq Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovich, and Patty Mills, the Hawks won the second quarter 37-31. The Warriors finished the first half leading by one point,69-68. The Warriors had four players in double figures. Klay Thompson had 13, Curry had 11, Jonathan Kuminga had 12, and Brandin Podzienski had 10. 

The teams continued to battle in the third quarter. The Hawks kept pace with the Warriors until late in the period. Atlanta’s biggest lead was four points, but The Warriors erased it. The Warriors played defense and finished the third quarter with a nine-point lead, 102-91. Cory Joseph scored five points late in the quarter to help pad the Warriors’ advantage.

The Warriors owned the fourth quarter. Kuninga, in double-figures for the 21st game in a row, helped propel the Warriors to victory. In one sequence, Kuminga made a steal and a dunk, bringing the crowd to its feet. Curry, Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins continued to make shots. The Warriors won by 22 points, 134-112.

Game Notes: The Warriors improved to 19-22 with the win. The Hawks fell to 18-26.

The Warriors had seven players in double-figures. Kuminga tied a Warriors’ club record when he made 11 shots without a miss. He tied the record held by Chris Mullens. Kuminga finished the night with 26 points. Curry had 25 points and eight assists. Curry made five threes. Thompson also made five threes and finished with 24 points. Draymond Green and Wiggins each had 12. Podzienski and Saric each had ten. 

The Hawks had six players in double figures. Dejounte Murray led Atlanta with 21. Jalen Johnson had 21, Saddiq Bey had 18, Bogdanovich had 17, Mills had 13, and Clint Capela had 11. 

The Warriors host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.

New Mexico Beats San Jose State In A 95-75 Blowout

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The San Jose State Spartans guard Myron Amey Jr. gives chase of the basketball as the New Mexico Lobos guard Jalen House (10) tries to control the ball at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Wed Jan 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

By Troy Ewers

SAN JOSE–The newly ranked New Mexico Lobos are in the Event Center to face the San Jose State Spartans. The Lobos come into San Jose looking for consecutive Mountain West road wins for the first time since a three game MW road win streak from the end of the 2017-2018 season to the start of the 2018-2019 season.

The Spartans on the other hand have had four of the five conference games decided by three points or fewer. They lost at Wyoming on a buzzer beater, lost by only three to No. 19 San Diego State, won at the buzzer at Air Force, and lost on a last second shot to Fresno State.

The Spartans have yet to play a conference game where the winning team won by more than ten points, Boise State came closest when they beat the Spartans by nine. The Lobos got a 20 point win over the Spartans 95-72 at Provident Credit Union Event Center.

The first half started with New Mexico having complete control five minutes into the game, missing only two shots at first. Fouls further put the Spartans slightly behind, but they kept the gap close at times.

Shooting only 33% in the first half is what couldn’t get the Spartans any type of lead in the first half, but their leading scorers were Tibet Gorener with 12 points and MJ Amey Jr. with 11 points and a halftime buzzer beater, who are two of the four players on this Spartans team who average more than ten points per game.

At halftime the Lobos had an 11 point lead 43-32, but the game felt closer than what the stats and score displayed, the energy in the building was behind the Spartans, especially after Amey Jr.’s buzzer beater. 

The second half was where the wheels fell off for the Spartans. 18 turnovers for SJSU and the Lobos scored 22 points off of these turnovers. At one point the Spartans closed the gap to nine points, but that was it the deficit was too great for San Jose State to overcome.

New Mexico’s leading scorer with 18 points was Jalen House, who even scored three straight threes as he playfully talked trash with the Spartans crowd. The leading scorer for San Jose State was Amey Jr. with 24 points and nine rebounds, but that didn’t stop the Lobos from dominating the game. The final score 95-75 New Mexico with another road win. 

New Mexico has now won four straight games by double figures as well and this is their fourth straight win in general.

The next game for SJSU is against UNLV, Saturday January 27th in the Provident Credit Union Event Center and SJSU is finally out of the crazy loop where all the games were decided by three or fewer, even though I’m sure they’d want it to be a win.

Barracuda snap nine-game losing streak with win over Condors 5-3

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda returned home to take on the Barracuda on Wednesday night.

Getting the start in goal for San Jose was Eetu Makiniemi while Olivier Rodrigue was in between the pipes for the Condors.

Looking to get out of this losing streak the Barracuda did not do themselves any favors going down early in this one. The first period saw the Condors strike out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by Carter Savoie and Ty Tullio.

Rodrigue was decently busy in the first for Bakersfield as he made 14 saves to keep San Jose off the board.

The middle frame saw quite the swing in momentum as on the power play just 5:42 in Cole Cassels scored his fifth of the season to make it 2-1.

Then on another power play not long after the Barracuda struck again with all-star Danil Gushchin potting his 14th of the campaign.

With the game now suddenly tied San Jose pushed for more and would score their third striaght goal as recently demoted Scott Sabourin capitalized on his oppurunity.

The Condors looked to be reeling heading into the final frame as Oskar Lindblom extended the home teams lead to 4-2 7:48 into the period.

Bakersfield however would not give up as Matvey Petrov scored his fourth of the season to make it a one goal game.

While the Condors would pull Rodrigue it was not enough to tie the game as Jack Studnicka scored on the empty cage to seal the deal.

The win improves San Jose’s record to 12-20-7 while the Condors fall to 18-12-1.

Of note was the Barracuda’s power play which went a perfect 2/2 while the Condors went 0/3. The shots also favored San Jose 40-38.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Oskar Lindblom 2nd: Scott Sabourin 3rd: Danil Gushchin

Looking to continue their winning ways the Barracuda will play the Wranglers on Friday at home at 7 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sports Illustrated another victim in Sports Journalism

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Sports Illustrated cover of former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani as Sports Illustrated has laid off writers, editors, and supports staff due to budget cuts (Sports Illustrated cover)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Between video games, cellular telephones, streaming services, podcasts, and the internet and now Artificial Intelligence, it was not surprising that Sports Illustrated’s recent layoffs have shaken the 70-year-old sports magazine and, in a way, the sports publishing world.

The best-selling issue of all time for SI was not a cover of Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Lebron James, or Shohei Ohtani. In 1989, the 25th-anniversary edition of SI featuring Kathy Ireland on the cover was the best-selling ever.

The country has changed since the 1980s and 1990s; heck, it has changed since the 2000s, when Colin Kaepernick took a knee, and all of a sudden, we were talking politics over sports, which is never a good idea because most people who buy SI could care less of your political leanings or affiliation. But in the significantly changing world we are living in, other things are coming that influence journalists, including sports journalism,

Artificial intelligence, also known as AI, has revolutionized many sports, including team practices, competition, and communication. It is still early, but AI is already inside our media, mainly based on audience preferences. AI can put out a quote by a person (voice) impersonating somebody else, which will sound like it is the natural person…but it is not. It will “aid” news, fact-checking and content.

The Sports Illustrated cover that once defined sports does not anymore, according to the oldest daily-publishing newspaper in the United States, the New York Post, which has an editorial that explains why Sports Illustrated’s future comes down to a high-stakes game of chicken between the iconic magazine’s billionaire overlords.

Sports Illustrated gutted most of their staff this past week, and their future is unknown. SI might survive, but they might not.

–My recommendation to SI, for whatever is worth: Why not publish a future cover of Air Force Officer Second LT Madison Marsh, who was the first active-duty service member to win the Miss America competition? The 22-year-old beauty graduated from the Air Force Academy last year with a degree in physics. So it is not sports? But Miss America is still a fierce competition, and after all, what does Sports Illustrated have to lose?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.

Sharks extend winning streak to three with comeback overtime victory over Rangers 3-2

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks. Ryan Carpenter celebrates his goal against the Rangers (taken on January 23rd 2023).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Sharks looked to extend their winning streak against the Rangers on Tuesday night.

In goal for the Sharks was Mackenzie Blackwood who came into this one with a 6-17-3 record with a 3.69 GAA and .894 SV%. While for the Rangers Igor Shesterkin was in between the pipes who heading into this one had a 19-11-0 record with a 2.81 GAA and .902 SV%.

After last nights collision with the boards Mario Ferraro was kept out of the lineup tonight with Kevin Labanc serving as the other scratch.

That meant Calen Addison was back in the lineup after an extended period out of it.

The beginnings of this game certainly had the feel of two teams who don’t play each other often as the two teams felt each other out.

After the Rangers had figured things out they got to work as Alexis Lafreniere threw the puck to the front of the net that was eventually stuffed home by Adam Fox. The goal was his eighth of the season and brought much joy to the mostly Rangers audience in attendance.

It was a position the Sharks are all to familiar with as this season after giving up the first goal the Sharks are 2-25-1.

San Jose would push late in the first as Kyle Burroughs missed a wide open net on a feed from Tomas Hertl. As consolation the Sharks did get a power play as Vincent Trocheck took a holding penalty. They weren’t able to convert on it in the first but did carry over 37 seconds into the second.

To start out the middle frame the Rangers killed off the remainder of Trochek’s penalty. Feeding off that momentum Artemi Panarin went for a skate around the Sharks o-zone and then sniped one over Blackwood’s shoulder getting his 29th of the season and making it 2-0.

The teams then exchanged penalties back-and-forth for most of the rest of the frame with neither team able to score.

Instead it would take until the third period before we got the next goal which would be an odd one. As the goal happened when defenseman Ryan Lindgren played the puck behind his own net. Instead of passing it to his defense partner he dropped it right to Nico Sturm who banked it off of Shesterkin and into the back of the net.

The goal seemed to give the Sharks some much needed life and the building was abuzz with noise. Not long after the goal Jan Rutta slapped the puck towards the net from the point which found the stick of Ryan Carpenter who tipped home the tying goal sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The game was back to tied and the Sharks were able to force overtime for the second game in a row.

In overtime the Rangers got a coupe of quick chances but the Sharks then got a counter attack going.

With Jan Rutta, Tomas Hertl, and Alexander Barabonov on the ice they circled the offensive zone looking to end it. Then on a defensive breakdown Barabonov skated right into the slot and passed it to Rutta backdoor. Instead of shooting it though he tapped it over to Hertl who shelved it over Shesterkin giving the Sharks the overtime victory.

The win was the Sharks third in a row and most notably with captain Logan Couture back in the lineup San Jose is now undefeated. San Jose’s record now improves to 13-31-4 while the Rangers end up at 29-15-3.

Special teams were a mixed bag for the Sharks as they killed all four penalties taken but also went 0/3 on the power play as well.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Tomas Hertl 2nd: Ryan Carpenter 3rd: Henry Thrun

Thankfully for the Sharks they won’t have to play again until Saturday when they take on the Sabres at home at 1 p.m. were they’ll look too extend their win streak to four.

Stanford Cardinal Basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: VanDerveer “I’m overwhelmed” in becoming winningest NCAA coach

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Tara VanDerveer acknowledges the Maples Pavilion crowd after winning her 1,203rd game an NCAA record against the Oregon State Beavers on Sun Jan 21, 2024 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 You were there to see it Michael on Sunday as NCAA history was made by Tara VanDerveer becoming the winningest coach in NCAA history with her 1,203 win.

#2 VanDerveer pass coach K better known as Duke and Army coach Mike Krzyzewski for the record. That’s a storied career Krzyzewski held but VanDerveer had been working on this record for awhile and achieved it with a win over the Oregon State Beavers 65-56.

#3 Those in attendance admired VanDerveer’s class after the game thanking the fans, the marching band, and asked the band to stop playing and got on the PA and told the Maples Pavilion crowd that she was overwhelmed.

#4 In Men’s basketball after winning three of their last four games the Cardinal took a tough loss to the USC Trojans 93-79 on Jan 6th. The Cardinal high scorer was Michael Jones who finished with 23 points. Three Cardinal players finished in double figures.

#5 After some 20 days off from live action the Cardinal are back at it again facing the Cal Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Fri Jan 26th. Cal has played some stunning games and won their last game against the Washington State Cougars 81-75 on Saturday. Cal has won three of their last six games. Do you see this Cardinal-Bears match up as a anyone could win game?

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Sharks host NY Rangers tonight at SAP Center; SJ gets key win in LA

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The San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) gets congratulations from the Sharks bench after scoring a second period goal at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Mon Jan 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Titus:

#1 Since the return of Logan Couture the Sharks have now won two straight how much influence has Couture’s return been for the dressing room?

#2 The Sharks get a rare road win at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles against the Kings in a shootout for a 4-3 win.

#3 William Eklund has been reliable he had four shots on goal against the Kings and scored a goal he’s coming through at the right time.

#4 In net for the Sharks Kaapo Kahkonen who stopped 44 shots and allowed three goals. Kahkonen was key in keeping things close in the shootout as well not allowing a goal and the Sharks scored twice.

#5 The Sharks play the second of back to back games tonight this time at SAP Center in San Jose hosting the New York Rangers. The Rangers are first place in the Metropolitan Division and have won four of their last ten games. Can the Sharks come back home and win a third straight game?

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