Barracuda get dominated in season opener against IceHogs 7-2

Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Ethan Del Mastro skates with the puck as Ryan Carpenter pursues (taken on 10/13/23.)

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda opened up their season at home against Rockford and let down the home fans losing 7-2.

Getting the start for San Jose was Magnus Chrona while Rockford had Drew Commesso in between the pipes.

The first period started tight as neither team was able to get many chances early.

The ice was broken at 9:13 by Rockford one the power play as Anders Bjork found himself wide open backdoor and tapped one home. The goal was assisted by Joey Anderson and David Gust.

With the momentum on their side the IceHogs pushed for another one and scored off the rush as Mike Hardman was the recipient of a backdoor feed. Assists were credited to Anderson and Bjork.

The Barracuda were able to end the period on a positive note though as Brandon Coe scored the first goal of the regular season. Ethan Cardwell and Jacob Peterson got the assists.

At the end of the first the shots favored San Jose 11-10.

For San Jose the second period needed to be a bounce back frame but it did not get off to a great start. As 3:12 into the period Ozzy Wiesblatt got a match penalty for a check to the head. That meant Rockford would have a five minute power play.

On the power play the IceHogs continued to be effective as first it was Michal Telpy who slapped one home on a broken play. Isaak Phillips and Mike Hardman got the assists. They weren’t done there as David Gust was allowed to walk right into the slot and deke out Chrona making it 4-1. This time Anderson and Brett Seney got the assists.

The Barracuda were given a golden oppurtunity to respond as Cole Cassels was tripped from behind on a breakaway meaning a penalty shot. On the penalty shot Cassels was unable to convert as the IceHogs still had a three goal lead.

At the end of the second the shots still favored San Jose at 29-23.

In the final frame things didn’t get much better as Gust scored his second of the game making it 5-1. Less than three minutes after that Ryder Rolston tacked on to the lead with a goal of his own.

With the score now 6-1 the Barracuda still pulled their goalie to try and get back into it but Bryce Kindopp put the dagger in as he scored.

The IceHogs took a couple of penalties late which resulted in a goal from Shakir Mukhamadulin assisted by Danil Gushchin and Ryan Carpenter.

That goal ended up being the last of the game as it ended 7-2 with Rockford convincingly on top.

Rockford was deadly on the power play in this one going 3/5 while San Jose went 1/4.

The three stars of the game were 1st: David Gust 2nd: Brandon Coe 3rd: Anders Bjork

San Jose will look to bounce back at home tomorrow against the IceHogs this time at 2. p.m.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Warrior owner Lacob knows he can’t buy what’s not for sale

There is zero chance that Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob can buy the Oakland A’s as A’s owner John Fisher is keeping the team and moving them to Las Vegas (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob confirms that he still has a standing offer to buy the Oakland A’s and that he’s very interested in purchasing the team.

#2 When A’s owner John Fisher decided it wasn’t going to work in Oakland anymore he’s headed to Vegas but Lacob said he would interested in buying the team. However Lacob said you have to have someone who wants to sell something to be interested in buying it.

#3 Lacob, did make an attempt to buy the A’s when former A’s owners Steve Schott and Ken Hoffman put the team up for sale only to sell it to Lew Wolf who just so happened to be a sorority brother of former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig at the time.

#4 Lacob’s dream at the time was to build a new park at the current Oakland Coliseum location and build a baseball village around it. Now with Fisher owning half the Coliseum property and moving the team to Vegas it’s looking tougher to save the A’s.

#5 Fisher know he will increase the value of the team by moving it to Las Vegas and having the A’s play at the Tropicana on the strip. The only thing that will stop him now is if the MLB owners vote no. Otherwise any hope to keep the A’s in Oakland looks almost like no chance.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Comanche and Burton demoted to G League Stockton; plus a look inside the Kings

The Sacramento Kings Chris Duarte (3) drives on the Los Angeles Kings at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Wed Oct 11, 2023 (USA Today photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings waved Chance Comanche and Deonte Burton. Once they clear wavers they will head to the G League Stockton Kings. After waving Comanche and Burton the Kings roster is cut to 18 players.

#2 Burton played for Iowa State in college he is a three year NBA player averaging 12 points, four rebounds and three assists and played just two games with the Kings last season. It was originally announced that Burton was released but has a chance to stay with the organization if he goes to the G League Stockton Kings.

#3 Keegan Murray and Davion Mitchell were key players in last season’s success for the Kings how do you see them as returning players and how much help will they contribute this season?

#4 Chris Duarte had to get warmed up just a bit during pre season games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors. Once he did he performed well while playing with the starters.

#5  Sasha Vezenkov has been a good shooter, and works the ball getting in the paint and working on defense. Head coach Mike Brown is trying to see what role Vezenkov will play as Trey Lyles is strong on defense.

Join Jeremiah does the Kings podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Drop Season Opener To Vegas Knights 4-1

The San Jose Sharks right winger Filip Zadina (18) gets a first period pass off against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Oct 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

Thursday, October 12th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The season has officially started for the San Jose Sharks and they get the “luck of the draw” opening their season against the defending Stanley Cup champion the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights opened their season beating a good Seattle Kraken team 4-1 with Marchessault and Eichel scoring a goal, Mark Stone locking in two assists, and goalie Adin Hill had 32 saves making their season opening, banner raising ceremony a sign of no slowing down for the Golden Knights.

In this packed Pacific division where the Oilers, Kings, and Kraken who all made the playoffs last season lost to kick off their campaigns to fellow foes in the division Vancouver, Vegas, and Calgary, the Sharks don’t want to get lost in this crowded sea.

San Jose may be in a rebuilding stage, but they still have things to look out for. William Eklund and Alexander Barabanov as possible leading scorers and new editions like Anthony Duclair. For this team, a challenge like the defending Stanley Cup is what they need to set the tone for this new season of teal hockey. 

The first period started with the William Eklund line with him, Mikael Granlund, and Luke Kunin against the Jack Eichel line with Jonathan Marchessault, and Ivan Barbashev and the tone of the game was set early when starting Sharks defenseman Kyle Burroughs dropped the gloves and fought Keegan Kolesar five minutes into the first period.

Even though Burroughs lost the fight the SAP Center was electric. The Eklund line already seems like a change of pace for San Jose in a great way. They are faster and generate an attack that keeps up with Vegas all period.

The Sharks went 0/2 on the power play, but the first score for either team came from Vegas after William Karlsson wrapped around the net, passed the puck to Michael Amadio, who one timed a shot past Kaapo Kahkonen and the score was 1-0 15 minutes into the first period (also assisted by Nicolas Hague).

Kahkonen was lights out except for the one goal, stopping every shot in his path, but the giveaways from San Jose kept Vegas in control possession wise. San Jose would tie this game up 18 minutes into the first period with a laser wrist shot from Filip Zadina (assisted by Henry Thrun and Tomas Hertl), 1-1.

The period would finally close, but Kahkonen still blocked two Vegas shots that seemed like go ahead goals, but no success and the horn went off and the Sharks went into first intermission tied with the defending champs and they walk away knowing that they dodged a bullet with Vegas not fully capitalizing on San Jose’s mistakes.

Second period and Sharks come out more physical with more shots on goal. The Anthony Duclair line with Bordeleau and Barabanov had great chances that actually had Vegas on their toes and the San Jose crowd hype like the game just started.

The Sharks got their first minor penalty after a Matt Benning tripping call, but they killed off the penalty and it seemed like this Sharks defense was locked in, but that changed. The period was flying by with both teams trading attacks, but Vegas broke the stalemate from a Nicolas Hague slapshot assisted by Pietrangelo and Eichel, 2-1 Vegas.

Not even a minute later Vegas scored again and it was by a different Nicolas this time, Nicolas Roy. assisted by his linemates Jonas Rondbjerg and Keegan Kolesar with 36 seconds left in the period, 3-1 Vegas.

The period ended and it felt like an accident happened in front of the crowd, because they were silent and unsure if their Sharks would come back. The confidence everyone had in Kahkonen was depleted, but there was still one more period and the Sharks weren’t ready to give up.

The final period was just a continuation of the second where the Knights continued the domination. Brayden Pachal scored off an assist by Karlsson and Pavel Dorofeyev making it 4-1 Knights. The Sharks attempted to generate some type of offense by sending shots at Logan Thompson, but the whole third period felt like a brick wall was built in the Knight’s net. The third ended with Vegas on top and another one in the win column for the Golden Knights. 

For the Sharks it’s going to be a long season, especially with their next game being against the Colorado Avalanche in San Jose this Saturday at SAP. The turnovers this game need to change if the Sharks want a chance at victories and the defensemen need to give Kahkonen a chance to actually stop shots like he did in the first period.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sharks Los Tiburones Night Se Habla Español

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Amaury Pi Gonzalez (Author) will be doing the play by play on NBC Sports Northern California at SAP Center on Los Tiburones Night on Sat Oct 14, 2023. When the San Jose Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center. (Image from nhl.com/sharks)

By Amaury Gonzalez

SAN JOSE–On Saturday, October 14, at 7 pm the San José Sharks will play their second game at home of the brand new 2023-24 season. The Sharks have gone through some changes in personnel, as this new season is expected to be a rebuilding season for the team that last year finished in penultimate place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference with a 22-44 record.

One of the biggest news of the off season was when they traded veteran Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a three-team transaction that also involved the Montréal Canadiens.

That night, the Sharks will host their 7th Annual Los Tiburones Night at SAP center, when they play the Colorado Avalanche. Captain Logan Couture who missed the home opener against the Vegas Golden Knights, current champions of the Stanley Cup was not in action.

Couture has not recovered yet from problems in the lower back, but coach David Quinn seems to be optimistic, however right now it looks like Couture’s return could be a week-to-week situation. The Sharks should have better forwards this season and Sharks fans are excited to welcome the 2023-24 season in San José,

Los Tiburones Night will have a very Hispanic flavor. Sponsored by Milagro Tequila, everybody in attendance will receive a Luchador Goalie Mask on Los Tiburones Night presented by Milagro Tequila.

The colorful mask was designed by local artist Luis Guardado. This Hispanic Night will also include pregame music and the Star-Spangled Banner being performed by Mariachi Tequila de San José a local mariachi band.

On the concourse, arts and crafts with the Mexican Heritage Plaza and a specially designed mural backdrop located at the Hop Valley Bar above the South Entrance for fan photo opportunities. Intermission entertainment will include on-ice performances by the Grupo Folklórico Los Laureles.

¿Se Habla Español? Of course, you can catch all the exciting and fast paced action LIVE Play by play by yours truly by selecting the SAP function on NBC Sports California’s television game from SAP Center. The Sharks Audio Network is available presented by Western Digital.

Bienvenidos Amigos a la Noche de los Tiburones – Arriba Sharks!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the play by play voice for the San Jose Sharks Spanish on NBC Sports California TV and the Sharks Audio Network by Western Digital

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Bjelica call it quits, 8 yr career ends, too many injuries led to decision

Golden State Warriors youth campers Will McCloskey, left, and Amari Chiefelk, right, present former Warriors players Nemanja Bjelica and Chris Chiozza, second from left, with their 2022 NBA championship rings in a special ceremony, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. Typically, the Warriors present former players with their rings in a pregame on-court ceremony when they come through town with an opposing organization, but these two were playing overseas. Bjelica announced he was retiring on Oct ( (Janie McCauley AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry talk about the retirement of former Golden State Warrior Nemanja Bjelica and what he meant to the 2022 NBA Championship team.

#2 Bjelica’s last NBA season was that 2022 campaign where he played in 71 regular season games and 15 post season games.

#3 Bjelica played eight seasons in the NBA, he was considered a secondary player and was a contributor, Jerry a player like that can help out and create plays as a back up player.

#4 Bjelica is now 35 years old and is retiring from the game due to multiple injuries. He was considering playing overseas but his injuries have been too much to sustain continuing his career.

#5 The Warriors play the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in pre season. The last time the two teams met were at Chase Center on Sat Oct 7th where the Warriors Jonathan Kuminga led in scoring with 24. The Lakers didn’t play LeBron James. The Warriors won last Saturday’s game 125-108.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Matthews picks up hat trick and 100th career goal in Leafs win; Skjei scores game winner for Canes; plus more NHL news

The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews (34) gets congratulated by his teammates in the third period. Matthews ended up scoring a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Oct 11, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews scored a hat trick and had a quite a night and also scored his 300th career goal. Matthews got the tying goal and the Leafs later defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

#2 Defenseman Brady Skjei scored a goal and got an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes to come back on the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena in Carolina on Wednesday for a 5-3 win. The Hurricanes got a goal each from Jordan Staal, Michael Bunting, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jacob Slavin.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard scored his first NHL goal in a loss to the Boston Bruins, The Bruins David Pastrnak scored two goals. It was the Bruins 100th season and they won their opener 3-1 at TD Waterhouse Garden in Boston.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights Brett Howden was suspended for putting a head check to the head of the Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tenev at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas. Howden rather than go low or below the shoulder for the check hit Tenev helmet to helmet which turned Tenev’s head and the NHL ruled it an illegal check. As a consequence Howden has been suspended for tonight’s game in San Jose and the next game on Sat 14th in Anaheim.

#5 In what many oddsmakers predict the San Jose Sharks will have a worse season this season than last year. The Sharks struggled all last season and that was with the help of former defenseman Erik Karlsson who is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This year they have to depend on a handful of veterans, Marc- Edouard Vlasic, Nico Sturm, Logan Couture, Ryan Carpenter, and Thomas Hertl as they open tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights in San Jose.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings lose to Lakers 109-101 in second preseason game

Photo credit: @LakersNation

By Mary Anne

The Sacramento Kings faced the Los Angeles Lakers for their preseason game No. 2, the battle of NorCal vs. SoCal, on Wednesday night. The Kings lost to the Lakers 109-101 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Sacramento fell to 0-2, while Los Angeles improved to 2-1.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings in scoring with 18 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Domantas Sabonis added ten points, 15 rebounds, and five assists.

The Kings’ starting lineup featured De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Sasha Vezenkov, and Domantas Sabonis. Vezenkov’s pregame buckets were spectacular, to say the least.

The Kings trailed the Lakers 30-28 at the end of the first quarter. As a result, Sacramento had some work to do, despite their money plays, such as De’Aaron Fox’s mid-range floater, Trey Lyles’ triple, etc.

The Kings took a 51-50 lead at the end of the first half. The highlight of the second quarter was the Kings’ eight three-pointers — the eighth scored by Kevin Huerter late in the quarter.

The Kings picked up where they left off, but the Lakers’ offense sizzled and star point guard D’Angelo Russell was on fire. Harrison Barnes scored another triple to open the second half and Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double with ten points and 15 rebounds, but the Kings fell behind and trailed the Lakers 90-79 at the end of three quarters.

The Kings made it rain with triples in the fourth quarter. The Lakers’ bench, however, was excited for Alex Fudge’s hustle Wednesday night. Fudge, a small forward and power forward, is a two-way player for the Los Angeles Lakers and the South Bay Lakers. Despite last-minute efforts, the Kings ultimately lost 109-101 to the Lakers.

Notes
When asked about the Kings’ upcoming game against the Lakers, shooting guard Malik Monk told the media: “We got to keep building the chemistry in the second unit, and…keep encouraging each other.”

When talking to the media, head coach Mike Brown said: “What you guys are watching isn’t necessarily how it’s going to play out in the regular season.”

Up Next
The Kings will host the Golden State Warriors at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Pacific.

Las Vegas Aces Beat New York Liberty In Total Domination 104-76

Things are going so right for the Las Vegas Aces that even forward A’Ja Wilson (22) is gliding through the air with the greatest of ease in game 2 of the WNBA Championship against the visiting New York Liberty at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed Oct 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Aces Superstar A’Ja Wilson show-cased her mid-range shots all night finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds. She was instrumental in the Las Vegas domination of the New York Liberty winning game two 104-76 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. The Aces lead the series 2-0 with a chance to close it out and take a back-to-back championship this Sunday in New York City for game 3.

Wednesday night the Las Vegas Aces (2-0) have a chance to take a 2-0 series lead as they meet the New York Liberty (0-2) in the WNBA championship series. Playing game 2 Wednesday night at this is a huge game, that with a win, could make such a difference in this series for the Aces. The first two quarters in game one were very close and Las Vegas did not make a move until the second half of that game. They will be looking to get a fast start in game two.

The first quarter was an Aces’ blowout winning the opener 38-19. Wilson had 12 points in the first quarter and seven rebounds. When it looked as if the Aces had total control of this game everything changed as happens so often in this sport.

The Aces had one of the biggest quarters they have ever seen in the playoffs in the first quarter. The offensive effort was off the charts but in all fairness New York struggled mightily in the opening quarter and knowing this team they would turn things around and they sure did in the second quarter.

The second quarter was like night and day. The New York offense came to life in a big way and after trailing by as much as 22 points had cut the Aces’ lead to 52-44 at the half. The Liberty took Wilson out of the game in the second quarter allowing only a single basket from the superstar. The good news for the Aces was their second half reputation; finishing off opponents in third and fourth quarters. They would need to live up to this reputation to beat New York.

The Aces went right to work to right this ship in the third quarter. The Aces doubled their eight point lead in the first two minutes of the quarter. The Liberty could not control the deadly mid-range shots of Wilson.

She just does not miss and with 6:21 left in the third, the Aces had taken a 64-47 lead. As this game went on it became apparent that second chance shots would be a huge factor in the outcome.

This had become a real roller-coaster of a game with the amazing first quarter start for the Aces followed by the 25-14 second quarter for the Liberty. The third quarter was back in Las Vegas’ court with amazing offensive output. Through three quarters Wilson already had 24 points and 11 rebounds, another double double.

After three quarters Las Vegas led 80-57. The Aces won the quarter 28-13 and through three quarters already had 27 assists. They were one quarter away from a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Three minutes into the final quarter Las Vegas had taken an 87-58 lead and the Aces were leaving the Liberty in the dust. With under six minutes left in the game Las Vegas was toying with a 30 point lead and barring a total Las Vegas meltdown, the Aces would take a dominant advantage into New York. The Liberty made a bit of noise in the fourth quarter but had so much ground to make up it was fruitless.

Wilson finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Jackie Young had 24 points and Kelsey Plum had 23 in an amazing showing both offensively and defensively. The Liberty will be a different team in front of their home crowd but will be behind the eight ball going into game three.

The Aces take a dominant lead into New York with a chance to closeout this series and win a back-to-back championship. Game three will be played on Sunday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 PM PT.

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Augie Mesenburg: D-Backs put Dodgers on the brink; Bochy hasn’t lost a step takes Texas to ALCS; plus more MLB news

The Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll scores a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith in the top of the first inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles in game 2 of the NLDS on Mon Oct 9, 2023. The Diamondbacks have a 2-0 lead in the series as of Wed Oct 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Augie, are the Dodgers done? They are in a 0-2 hole against the Arizona Diamondbacks and are down to their last strike. The Dodgers were the favorites to start the series but who would have expected game 1 with the Diamondbacks greeting the Dodgers with a six run first inning and blowing them out 11-3 not to mention taking game 2 of the NLDS. Both clubs are giving it a go as we record this podcast.

#2 The Texas Rangers took the Baltimore Orioles in three straight games. Critics look to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy for much of the credit in getting the Rangers to the next round of the playoffs.

#3 Bochy had everything working for him in the ALDS against the Orioles. In game three he had the pitching working giving up only one run and the Rangers offense poured it on with a 7-1 win.

#4 Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies came into this series well prepared and almost took a 2-0 series lead into game 3. The Atlanta Braves are not to be counted out at anytime as the Phillies found out in game 2 as they came back and held onto a 5-4 win to tie the series at 1-1. Augie do the Braves have anymore fight in them left in this series now down 1-2 after losing game 3 on Wednesday in a laugher 10-2.

#5 Astros and Twins tonight at Target Field in Minneapolis the Twins need this one badly as they are down 2-1 and it’s the elimination game. The Astros can make quick work of the Twins they’ve won by scores of 6-4 and 9-1 in games 1 and 3. Talk about tonight’s game 4.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for MLB The Show and is a reporter for KHAI 103.5 FM Honolulu at http://www.sportsradioservice.com