Blackwood shines for Sharks in debut but falls to the Avalance in the shootout 2-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks Twitter. Mackenzie Blackwood is dialed in (photo taken on 10/14/23).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- Despite a stellar debut for Mackenzie Blackwood making 51 saves the Sharks still lost to the Avalanche 2-1 in the shootout.

Making his debut for Team Teal was Blackwood as he was acquired in the offseason. For the Avalanche Alexander Georgiev got the start.

This one would be a tight one all the way down to the wire all thanks to the heroics of Blackwood.

Thomas Bordeleau got the scoring going in the first on a tip-in as Matt Benning thew one to the front of the net.

After that things went quite offensively for both teams though the Avalanche would dominate in the shot totals period after period.

Colorado eventually broke through late in the third as Cale Makar scored his second goal of the season on a nice wrister from past the blue line.

That goal forced overtime though neither team was able to break through meaning the shootout was next.

In the shootout, no Sharks found the net but Mikko Rantanen would score, helping get the Avalanche the victory 2-1.

Overall Blackwood made 51 saves the most for a goalie in his debut since 1955. Both teams also could not score on the power play as the Avalanche went 0/5 while the Sharks went 0/4.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Mackenzie Blackwood 2nd: Cale Makar 3rd: Thomas Bordeleau

The Sharks will look to get their first win of the season on Tuesday against the Hurricanes at home at 7:30 p.m.

Barracuda flip script on IceHogs beating them 7-2

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Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Jacob Peterson skates with the puck as Antti Saarella pursues (photo taken on 10/13/23).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda bounced back against the IceHogs coming out on top with a convincing victory 7-2.

Making his professional debut for the Barracuda was goaltender Georgi Romanov while the IceHogs had Jaxson Stauber in between the pipes.

Scoring in this one took a little bit to get going but it would come from a newcomer as Ethan Cardwell scored his first career AHL goal. The goal came 17:42 in as Cole Cassels got the lone assist.

That was all the scoring in the first as the shots finished 11-9 in favor of Rockford.

Th second ended up being the opposite as just 1:48 in Joey Anderson scored unassisted tying the game up.

Less than three minutes later on the power play Brett Seney suddenly shot the IceHogs ahead with assists going to Anderson and Ethan Del Mastro.

San Jose would get a quick response from Justin Bailey who scored his first goal in a Barracuda uniform. Cassels once again got the lone assist.

The Barracuda continued to fight back as Tanner Kaspick gave them the lead with Anthony Vincent and Adam Raska getting the assists.

Ryan Carpenter would extend the lead to 4-2 with a goal just two second before the period was to come to an end. Valtteri Pulli and Bailey got the assists.

At the end of the second the shots favored San Jose 33-16.

This time in the third the Barracuda got on the board first as Cassels continued his solid night scoring shorthanded just 2:33 in.

Later in the period both Oskar Lindblom and Ryan Carpenter tacked on the lead making it 7-2.

That’s where the score stayed at as the Barracuda won outshooting the IceHogs 49-28.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Ryan Carpenter 2nd: Justin Bailey 3rd: Georgi Romanov

The Barracuda won’t play again until Friday when they take on the Silver Knights on the road at 7p.m.

Oakland Roots Eliminated From A Playoff Spot After 2-1 Loss To El Paso Locomotive FC

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Oakland Roots as much as they tuned up and practiced before the game couldn’t wrap up the regular season with a win against the visiting El Paso Locomotive at Cal State Hayward East Bay on Sat Oct 14, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Saturday, October 14th, 2023

 By Troy Ewers

Hayward, CA – It’s the final game of the regular season for the Oakland Roots and it’s been a wild ride. This game against the El Paso Locomotive FC is a win and in scenario for Oakland and it’s exactly the scenario that encapsulates this season for the Roots. The last time Oakland faced El Paso it was a 3-1 victory for Oakland and this outcome is what Coach Delgado wants his Roots team to repeat. 

It wasn’t long until someone scored in the first half and unfortunately for Oakland it wasn’t in their favor. Eight minutes into the first half and Emmanuel Sonupe of El Paso scored one through the legs of Paul Blanchette in an effortless attack and just like that it was 1-0 and the packed Pioneer Stadium went from hype to crushed in seconds, because it felt like it was over before it even started at that point.

That became even more evident after a set piece resulted in a header from Noah Dollenmayer scored in the 14th minute, making this game 2-0 El Paso and from here frustration set in as Roots leading scorer Johnny Rodriguez was awarded a yellow card for tripping Dollenmayer a minute after he just scored.

For 30 minutes into the first half, one thing was for sure for Oakland and that was their attack wasn’t breaking the seal of El Paso’s defense and that carried on through the half, even being stopped on a penalty shot in the 41st minute.

The air was deflated in Pioneer Stadium. The whistle blew to signal the end of the first half and it was 2-0 El Paso, and the Oakland fans were stunned as the thought of the playoffs was fading away. 

The Roots weren’t going down lightly, they had heart coming out of halftime as two minutes into the second half Anuar Pelaez scored an amazing butterfly kick for a goal for the Roots and this was the shot of adrenaline to the arm for Oakland that they needed.

It was 2-1 with a lot of time on the clock and the fans were back in. El Paso was fighting for playoff hopes as well if there was a draw, El Paso would be in the playoffs, if El Paso wins they’re in the playoffs, it was up to Oakland to determine the fate of the playoff picture.

As substitutions started to come in, the fear of time came into play for Oakland. Five minutes left in the game before stoppage time and the fans were on the edge of their feet, it felt like it could go either way. The Roots had attempt after attempt, but with four minutes of stoppage time the mountain was too high to climb.

The two goals in the first half for El Paso were all that was needed to stop Oakland in their tracks and in stoppage time, a red card for the Roots was the nail in the coffin, there was no comeback story. El Paso slowed everything down and wasted time all the way until the final whistle sounded. 2-1 El Paso 2-1 and the Roots were eliminated from a chance at the playoffs. 

It was a fun season for the Oakland Roots, but it wasn’t enough to make it to the dance. The Roots had players like Johnny Rodriguez and Paul Blanchette who were league leaders in their respective categories and fought every single game, but not being able to close it out when it mattered resulted in Oakland missing a run in the postseason.

Robinson’s hat trick helps San Jose State defeat New Mexico 52-24

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateFB

By Mary Anne

The San Jose State Spartans took on the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday. Thanks to Kairee Robinson’s hat trick, the Spartans snapped their three-game losing skid with a 52-24 win over the Lobos at University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M. San Jose State improved to 2-5, while New Mexico fell to 2-4.

The Spartans were in the house and on lock, but were unable to score first. The Lobos scored first. Luke Drzewiecki kicked a 41-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 5:06 left in the first quarter.

The Spartans trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Spartans evened the score to start the second quarter. Justin Stearns scored on a seven-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown. Kyler Halvorsen kicked an extra point to tie the game 7-7 at 14:20 of the second.

The Lobos regained the lead. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for a seven-yard rushing touchdown. Luke Drzewiecki kicked an extra point to give the Lobos a 10-7 lead with 6:31 left in the second.

The Lobos’ lead was short-lived as the Spartans regained the lead. Kairee Robinson ran for a 35-yard rushing touchdown. Kyler Halvorsen kicked an extra point to help the Spartans to a 14-10 lead with 4:23 left in the second.

The Lobos regained the lead again. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for a four-yard rushing touchdown. Luke Drzewiecki kicked an extra point to make it a 17-14 game with just 31 seconds left in the second.

The Spartans trailed the Lobos 17-14 at the end of the first half.

The Spartans opened the second-half scoring. Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro threw a touchdown pass to Kairee Robinson, who ran for a 55-yard rushing touchdown. Kyler Halvorsen kicked an extra point for a 21-17 lead at 14:41 of the third quarter.

The Spartans added to their lead. Chevan Cordeiro threw a touchdown pass to Nick Nash, who ran for a 54-yard rushing touchdown. Kyler Halvorsen kicked an extra point to make it 28-17 with 7:39 left in the third quarter. Halvorsen kicked a 39-yard field goal to extend the Spartans’ lead to 31-17 with 4:16 left in the third. Kairee Robinson ran for a 19-yard rushing touchdown to expand the Spartans’ lead to 38-17 with 3:05 left in the third.

The Spartans led 38-17 at the end of three quarters.

The Spartans scored first in the fourth quarter. Kairee Robinson ran for a 19-yard rushing touchdown. Kyler Halvorsen kicked an extra point to give the Spartans a commanding 45-17 lead at 14:03 of the fourth.

The Spartans widened their lead late in the fourth quarter. Quali Conley ran for a three-yard rushing touchdown. Kyler Halvorsen kicked an extra point to make it 52-17 Spartans with 6:05 left in the fourth.

The Lobos had the last word, but it was too little, too late. D.J. Washington scored a 21-yard rushing touchdown off a pass from Lobos quarterback Devon Dampier. Luke Drzewiecki kicked an extra point to cut the Spartans’ lead to 52-24 with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter.

The Spartans defeated the Lobos 52-24.

Notes
A close-up of the Spartans’ Saturday uniforms can be found here.

Kairee Robinson’s 35-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter was his eighth of the regular-season and 21st of his career. Robinson has now scored in every game he has played in this season. Also, Robinson’s 19-yard rushing touchdown was his third of the game for the hat trick.

Up Next
The Spartans will return home to host the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific.

Cal suffers blowout loss to No. 16 Utah 34-14

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Photo credit: @CalFootball

By Mary Anne

The California Golden Bears faced the No. 16 Utah Utes on Saturday. The Golden Bears were battle ready and got off to a fast start, but suffered a blowout loss to the Utes 34-14 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Cal fell to 3-4, while Utah improved to 5-1.

The Golden Bears scored first. Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass to Jaydn Ott for a 48-yard passing touchdown. Mateen Bhaghani kicked an extra point for a 7-0 lead at 5:41 of the first quarter.

The Golden Bears led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Utes took the go-ahead lead in the second quarter. Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for a three-yard rushing touchdown. Cole Becker kicked an extra point to tie the game 7-7 at 7:56. Sione Vaki ran for a one-yard rushing touchdown. Becker kicked an extra point to give the Utes a 14-7 lead with just 26 seconds left in the second.

The Golden Bears trailed the Utes 14-7 at the end of the first half.

The Utes poured in the points to start the second half. Cole Becker kicked a 23-yard field goal to extend the Utes’ lead to 17-7 at 10:35 of the third quarter. Bryson Barnes ran for a four-yard rushing touchdown. Becker kicked an extra point to expand the Utes’ lead to 24-7 with 9:11 left in the third.

The Golden Bears responded to make it a ten-point game. Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass to Taj Davis, who ran for a 24-yard rushing touchdown. Mateen Bhaghani kicked an extra point to cut the Utes’ lead to 24-14 with 4:21 left in the third.

The Golden Bears trailed the Utes 24-14 through three quarters.

The Utes scored twice in the fourth quarter. Sione Vaki ran for a 72-yard rushing touchdown. Cole Becker kicked an extra point for a 31-14 lead with 6:51 left in the fourth. Becker capped off the scoring with a 38-yard field goal to make it a 34-14 game with 1:57 left in the fourth.

The Golden Bears lost to the Utes 34-14.

Notes
Find out this week’s Cal captains here.

Get to know the Cal starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza here.

Up Next
The Golden Bears have a bye week before hosting the No. 10 USC Trojans on Saturday, October 28, at TBD.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks try to get in win column tonight against Avalanche at SAP Center

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Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (right) puts the stop on the San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin (left) in the first period at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Oct 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights got a come back on the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at SAP Center when the Knights Nic Hague and Nicolas Roy scored in the last two minutes of the second period and it was pretty much icing on the cake for the Knights in their three goal 4-1 win.

#2 Mary Lisa, this game was pretty dead even with Sharks and Knights tied at 1-1 until the second period when Hague and Roy scored just 53 seconds apart.

#3 The Knights Michael Amadio scored a goal and Brayden Pachal picked up his first NHL career goal as the Knights now have won their second straight game.

#4 The Sharks were expected by the oddsmakers to be struggling team and head coach David Quinn said that the Sharks are still trying to put a lot of things together. Quinn did point out that for 38 minutes it was a 1-1 tie and the Sharks kept up with the Knights.

#5 The Sharks now face the Colorado Avalanche tonight at SAP. The Aves rolled over the Los Angeles Kings in their last game 5-2. The Avalanche like the Knights have some offense. They got two goals from Mikko Rantanen and a goal each from Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Miles Wood. It’s the Avalanche and Sharks tonight in San Jose how do you see this match up.

Join Mary Lisa for the SJ Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Browns Watson to sit out Sunday against 49ers

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Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson will sit out this Sun Oct 15, 2023 against the San Francisco 49ers in Cleveland for week 6. (AP file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in his last game threw 17-24 for 252 yards, and four touchdowns there is little doubt that Purdy is on a roll and is one of the keys to why the 49ers are 5-0.

#2 Last game for tight end George Kittle who scored three touchdowns and was the key factor why the 49ers won the game against the Dallas Cowboys.

#3 Christian McCaffrey who had a multi touchdown game against the Arizona Cardinals and against the Cowboys he got one touchdown but the win was more important to McCaffrey.

#4 The 49ers got some great defense against the Cowboys and Dak Prescott and it shows when you hold them to only ten points in a lopsided game.

#5 49ers are in Cleveland on Sunday and the Browns once again will be without quarterback Deshaun Watson who is out with right rotator cuff contusion. Watson could miss multiple games and the Browns won’t play him until he’s pain free.

Join J Hawkes for the 49ers podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal comeback dims the lights for Buffaloes Neon Deion

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Stanford Cardinal kicker Joshua Karty (43) is mobbed by his teammates after booting a 31 yard game winning field goal in the second overtime against the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder Col on Fri Oct 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, how discouraging does it have to be for Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders after holding a 29 point lead only to watch it get whittled away in double overtime and lose by a field goal?

#2 Stanford Cardinal receiver Elic Ayomanor chalk up a school record 294 yards receiving.

#3 Ayomanor had himself an evening in Colorado catching three touchdowns and 13 receptions. Can this be for Ayomanor and the Cardinal a page turning moment in their season?

#4 With the score tied in the second overtime 43-43 Stanford kicker Joshua Karty kicked a 31 yard field goal for the game winner. Karty in regulation kicked a tying field goal against the Buffaloes.

#5 It doesn’t get easier for Stanford for their next game on Sat Oct 21st against the UCLA Bruins who are rolling with a 4-1 record. The Bruins defeated Washington State in their last contest 25-17 on Sat Sep 23rd. The Bruins had a bye on Sep 30 before meeting up with Washington State. Michael how do you see this match up between the Cardinal and Bruins for next week Saturday on the farm at Stanford.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer and a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal overcome 29-point deficit, beat Buffs 46-43 in double OT

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Stanford Cardinal kicker Joshua Karty boots a second overtime field goal to give the Cardinal a three point win over the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder Colo on Fri Oct 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Friday, October 13, 2023

After spotting Colorado a huge early first-half lead, Stanford’s offense caught fire in the second half, eventually using a Joshua Karty field goal in the second overtime to upend the Buffaloes 46-43 Friday night in Boulder, Colo. 

Karty’s 31-yard field goal ended the game after each team scored in the first extra period. Karty earlier booted a 46-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime. 

Colorado (4-4 overall, 1-4 Pac-12) broke the 36-36 deadlock on its first possession in overtime, when Shedeur Sanders threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to J Antonio. The Cardinal (2-4 overall, 1-3 Pac-12) responded with a 30-yard scoring strike from Ashton Daniels to Elic Ayomanor.

This was the final Pac-12 football meeting between the two schools, as Colorado is headed to the Big 12 and Stanford will join the ACC next season.

Daniels completed 27 of 45 passes for 396 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also the Cardinal’s top rusher, gaining 39 yards on 16 carries. Ayomanor caught 13 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns.

Shedeur Sanders, son of Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, completed 33 of 48 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception, and was sacked four times. He also led Colorado ballcarriers with 37 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Travis Hunter caught 13 passes for 140 yards and two scores.

The Buffaloes outgained Stanford in total offense 532 yards to 523.

Colorado opened the scoring at 10:25 of the first quarter, when S Sanders completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Weaver. The Buffaloes made it 14-0 nearly seven minutes later when Sanders found Hunter open for a 24-yard scoring strike.

With 8:42 left in the second quarter, Colorado made it 22-0 on Weaver’s second TD reception from Shedeur Sanders, a 39-yard scoring play followed by a 2-point conversion run by Caleb Fauria. 

The Buffs took a 29-0 lead into the locker room after Weaver’s 14-yard touchdown run on a reverse with just under 3 minutes to play in the second quarter, 

Stanford finally got on the board with 9:01 remaining in the third quarter, eventually scoring 26 unanswered points. Bryce Farrell ran in from 2 yards out, but a PAT pass was incomplete. The Cardinal cut their deficit to 29-12 less than three minutes later on a 97-yard pass from Daniels to Ayomanor. Again, Stanford missed the 2-point conversion with an incomplete pass.

The Cardinal completed their third-quarter rally with a 60-yard scoring pass from Daniels to Ayomanor at 4:45, pulling Stanford to within 29-19. The Cardinal continued to roll with a 1-yard touchdown by Justin Lamson as Colorado’s lead had shrunk to 29-26 with 12-29 to play.

Colorado interrupted the Cardinal rally on the ensuing possession, as S Sanders completed a 16-yard TD pass to Hunter, putting the Buffaloes up 36-26. The Cardinal responded with Daniels’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Ferrell with 5:06 left in regulation.

Next week, the Cardinal return to Stanford Stadium to host UCLA for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Icehogs take advantage of controversial call in 7-2 route of Barracuda in season opener

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The Rockford IceHogs celebrate one of their seven goals in the 7-2 win over the San Jose Barracuda at Teach CU Arena on Friday OCT 13, 2023. (San Jose Barrcuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Rockford IceHogs took advantage of a five-minute power play scoring two goals in what turned a close game into a laugher during a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda in the season opener for both teams on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

The opening 20 minutes featured a physical battle with both team throwing hits to get themselves acquainted with one another. ‘Cuda starting goalie Magnus Chrona stoned Josh Healey on a short-handed breakaway opportunity at the 9:46 mark.

Rockford (1-0-0-0) drew first blood with the power play goal just halfway past the first period. The IceHogs only needed eight second to convert when Joey Anderson fed a rink wide pass through the crease and Anders Bjork buried a one-timer past Chrona for his goal of the season at the 10:47 mark.

The IceHogs doubled its lead with an even strength goal at the 14:05 mark. Joey Anderson found Mike Hardman with a backdoor pass and Hardman tapped in an easy one for his first goal of the season. Bjork received the secondary assist on the play.

San Jose (0-1-0-0) responded less than two minutes later with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell whipped a no-look backhand pass through the crease and Brandon Coe beat IceHogs goalie Drew Commesso with a one-timer for his first goal of the season at the 15:58 mark.

The game changing moment came at the 3:12 mark of the second period when Ozzy Wiesblatt was given a five-minute major penalty for a high hit on Kale Howarth, who was injured on the play and did not return to the game. The officiating crew ruled the hit to be a check to the head and Wiesblatt’s night was over on a questionable call that looked to have been a clean hit delivered by Wiesblatt.

“Not really,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy when asked if he received any explanation from the officials. “That’s what they saw. They said it was contact to the head. We gotta deal with it. It set us on our heels on the scoreboard, but also momentum wise.”

Rockford took full advantage as they scored twice during the five-minute penalty. Michal Telply cleaned up a rebound off a blocked shot from the point to score his first goal of the season at the 5:16 mark to regain a two-goal lead for the IceHogs. David Gust made it 4-1 29 seconds later when he drove in a point-blank shot through the five-hole of Chrona for his first goal of the season.

Cole Cassels had a chance to cut the IceHogs lead in half when he was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped up by Louis Crevier on a breakaway attempt at the 15:51 mark. However, Cassels’ shot rung off the far post.

Gust scored his second goal of the game after he finished a two-on-one odd man rush with Brett Seney. Gust received the cross-ice pass and made a move around Chrona before tapping home the puck inside the net at the 12:05 mark of the third period.

Ryder Rolston scored his first goal of the season for Rockford after slamming home a puck into an open net after receiving a pass from Jalen Luypen at the 14:06 mark.

Bryce Kindopp closed out the scoring for Rockford with an unassisted empty net goal at the 15:58 mark.

‘Cuda defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin scored his goal of the season with San Jose on a 5-on-3 advantage. Danil Guhschin found him at the right point and Mukhamadullin fired a wrist shot past Commesso at the 16:51 mark.

Commeesso finished then night stopping 34 of the 36 shots to earn his first victory of the season. Chrona made 27 saves on 33 shots in the losing effort.

“We left him (Chrona) (hung) out to dry. We didn’t give up a ton of chances, but the quality of the chances we gave up was high. Bad reads, bad reads in the offensive zone. (We) put ourselves in a bad spot there. It wasn’t on him,” McCarthy said.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Rockford went 3-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gust 2) Coe 3) Bjork.

UP NEXT:San Jose and Rockford conclude their two-games series on Saturday 10/14 at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.