Oakland Roots Home Opener Postponed Due To Field Conditions

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Delivery trucks in 2021 deliver turf for the Oakland Roots field at Laney College in Oakland. The game was called off on Sat Mar 25, 2023 due to turf field conditions which was supposed to be the home opener for the Roots against Memphis 901 FC (file photo by Douglas Zimmerman and soccerbayarea.com)

Written By Troy Ewers

OAKLAND–Saturday’s home opener for the Oakland Roots against Memphis 901 FC has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

The reason for the postponement is due to field conditions. According to Oakland Roots’ Instagram page, Laney College installed new turf football field in the offseason and because of the continuous storms in the Bay Area, the field’s completion was delayed and was finally completed late this week and the infill in the football field has not had time to settle causing the turf soccer field to not lay flat.

The conditions of the field didn’t meet playable standards hence why the game was postponed. The game will be rescheduled, date not announced yet, but fans who bought a ticket for this game have been provided a credit for a future game. Season ticket holders can use their current ticket for the later announced rescheduled game.

After last week’s draw, there was a lot of excitement for this game especially since it was the home opener in Oakland and now the next week will be the home opener and I think this only raises the anticipation of the Roots coming back to Oakland. The next game will be in Laney College on April 1st against New Mexico United.

Troy Ewers is a Oakland Roots beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Karlsson Sets Career High in Assists, Sharks Lose 5-3 to Flames; Ninth straight loss for San Jose

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Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) is all smiles as the Flames had a break out game against the San Jose Sharks at the Saddledome in Calgary on Sat Mar 25, 2023. Sharks goaltender Kappo Kahkonen (36) can only skate away (photo by NHLFlames)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks lost their ninth consecutive contest Saturday Afternoon, falling to the Calgary Flames 5-3 from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Erik Karlsson picked up a pair of assists notch a single-season high in assists and Nico Sturm, Logan Couture and Martin Kaut scored, but the lone good news from the Sharks (19-39-15) this weekend was via the signing of college prospect Henry Thrun out of Harvard.

Tyler Toffoli scored twice for the Flames to surpass the 30 goal mark and tie a career high for the Flames (33-26-15) who now sit four points pack of the Winnipeg Jets for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Nazem Kadri scored 5:45 into the third period, netting his 23rd of the year, to put Calgary ahead 4-3. Tyler Toffoli added the empty netter with 1:10 left in play for the final score. The Sharks had led 3-2 late in the second period after trailing 2-1 after the first period.

MacKenzie Weegar and Toffoli scored in the first 10 minutes of the first period but Logan Couture’s netfront drive put the Sharks on the board at the 14:25 mark of the period. Karlsson took a pass from Andrew Agozzino and drove down the right wing, pulling Jacob Markstrom to the post before feathering a pass to a crashing Couture for a deflection goal, his 25th score of the year. Karlsson picked up his 67th assist, a single-season career high on the play.

Nico Sturm tied the game 4:52 into the second period, backhanding a Noah Gregor shot pass by Markstrom for his 14th goal of the year. Karlsson assisted on the goal as well, his 90th point of the year with nine games left to play. Martin Kaut added his third goal of the year and second with the Sharks since coming over at the trade deadline just 22 seconds later.

The Flames responded at the 5:39 mark of the period, tying the game just 25 seconds after the Kaut goal. Trevor Lewis intercepted a failed Sharks clear and passed it to Walker Deuhr, open to Kaapo Kahkonen’s right on the far post. Deuhr ripped it home for his fifth goal of the season. Kahkonen made 25 saves on 29 shots in the Sharks net.

The Sharks return home Tuesday night looking to snap their losing skid. They’ll face the Winnipeg Jets, the team directly above the Calgary Flames in the standings. After that, the Vegas Golden Knights await a Thursday night tilt at home for the Sharks. The possibility that the loss streak will be at 11 by the time the Sharks face the Coyotes in Glendale on Saturday remains real given the quality of opponents ahead.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: CBJ’s Laine out for 2-4 weeks with triceps strain; Coyote’s co-owner suspended for domestic violence; plus more news

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The Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine will sit out two to four weeks due to a triceps strain he sustained in practice on Thu Mar 23, 2023 during practice. (nhl.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, the second leading scorer on the Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine will miss two to four weeks of action due to triceps strain which he injured while taking a shot during practice on Thursday. Laine is having a great season with 52 points, 22 goals, and 30 assists in 55 games this year.

#2 The Arizona Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway has been suspended by the NHL for domestic violence abuse. Barroway 57, is accused of strangling his wife according to Aspen Police and the Aspen Daily News. The league said that Barroway has been suspended indefinitely. Barroway got into an argument with his wife which turned into him strangling his wife. He has been ordered by the courts to stay away from his wife except if it involves visiting their children and is under court order not to consume alcohol.

#3 The Boston Bruins AJ Greer was suspended one game for cross checking the Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman on Thu Mar 23. Greer cross checked Hoffman at 17:08 of the first period and was hit with a major penalty and a game misconduct. Greer will also be fined $4121.62 money that will go the NHL Players Emergency Fund.

#4 Logan Thompson who made 37 saves for the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday against the Calgary Flames in a 3-2 win suffered an lower body injury. It was tough luck for Thompson who was playing in his first game since Feb 9th. Thompson coming back from another lower body injury and missed 18 games. Thompson left the game at 6:07 of the third period. Jonathan Quick was called to replace Thompson.

#5 Matt, much is the talk of the San Jose Sharks (19-38-15) possibly ending up the team that could get number one NHL draft pick Connor Bedard as the loses continue for San Jose. The Sharks were shellacked in a five goal loss to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thursday night 7-2. The loss was San Jose’s eighth straight. Will getting somebody like Bedard give the Sharks someone to build around.

Matt does the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Freedom of Religion is Older than Any sports League

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In 1965 LA Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax refused to pitch in Game One of the World Series because it was Yom Kippur, a Jewish Holiday part of exercising his religious rights and beliefs. Koufax is seen here in this photo, the Hall of Famer smiles as the Los Angeles Dodgers unveil a Sandy Koufax statue in the Centerfield Plaza to honor the Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young Award winner prior to a baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

In the United States of America, freedom of religion is older than any of the sports leagues in the country and is protected under the US Constitution.

Recently James Reimer of the San José Sharks refused to take part in wearing Pride-theme jerseys during LGBT night at SAP Center, Reimer cited conflicted Christian beliefs.

“…In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life.

I strongly believe that every person has value and worth, and the LGBTQIA+ community, like all others, should be welcomed in all aspects of the game of hockey.”

The  San José Sharks accepted his decision and added this statement “Our hope is that this content will serve as a reminder that there are issues more important than goals, highlights, and wins,” said the team on Twitter. The evening also included partnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations, themed lighting and music at the arena, and pride-themed merchandise for sale.  I believe the San José Sharks handled it correctly.

In this quick social media world, when some people are just waiting to disagree as divided as the country is today, we sometimes forget how important this is to the fiber of this country and to its citizens. There are many cases, of athletes exercising their religious beliefs, here below are two superstars of their respective sports.

–In 1965 LA Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax refused to pitch in Game One of the World Series because it was Yom Kippur, a Jewish Holiday.

–In 1960s Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the US Armed Forces. He refused to cite his religion (Islam) and was forbidden from serving. It cost him. Boxing stripped Ali of his heavyweight title, however, the US Military respected his decision. Ali was one of the most famous people around the world, not only in boxing circles. Twitter and all the other “instant” media outlets did not exist. There were some that disagreed (it is America after all) but by far it was accepted and people moved on with their lives.

US Constitution – First Amendment.

Personal religious beliefs are protected by the laws of the United States under the First Amendment of the Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play talent for the Oakland A’s Spanish Radio network heard on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and catch his podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Huerter leads the way with 29 pts; Kings end 2 game skid over Suns 135-127

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is defended by Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo (18) as he drives to the basket in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Mar 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (44-29) were back in action on Friday night in Sacramento. The Kings on Friday were coming off one of the toughest games of the season. The Kings were defeated on Tuesday against the Boston Celtics by the final of 132-109. It was a humbling game for the Kings, who had lost two in a row.

On Friday, the Kings were set to take on the Phoenix Suns, who had also lost two in a row and were looking to snap the streak. The Kings behind the efforts of Kevin Huerter and his leading 29 points ended the Kings two game skid with a 135-127 win at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

GAME RESULT: In the first quarter, the Kings offense started slow. The Kings only scored 24 points in the first quarter as they couldn’t heat up on the offensive end. The Suns put up 30 points to put the Kings in an early hole. One major discrepancy in the game was that the Kings shot no free throws as the Suns shot nine. It was an underwhelming quarter for the Kings, who looked to turn it around in the second.

In the second quarter, the Kings continued to play very poorly. The offense didn’t look like it usually does with quick ball movement and open shots. Also, not to add insult to injury, the Kings defense is not very good. The lack of Kings defense was on full display in the first half. The Suns outscored the Kings again in the second quarter 37-32. The Suns weren’t even shooting well from deep going on 2/14 in that category, but the Kings couldn’t keep pace. The Kings would enter halftime down 67-56.

In the third quarter, the Kings came roaring back. The Kings outscored the Suns by a massive 45-26 in the third quarter. The Kings could do no wrong on the offensive end, as Hurter couldn’t miss. The Kings seemed to have their swagger back—something we hadn’t seen in almost three games from the Kings. In the third quarter, De’Aaron Fox went to the locker room and was out the rest of the game with a hamstring issue. The Kings would need to close the game in the fourth quarter without Fox and a 101-93 lead.

In the fourth quarter, it was a dog fight until the end. However, the Kings came out victorious! The Kings battled in a way they hadn’t shown in the last few games to take down the team immediately behind them in the standings. The Kings beat the Suns on Friday night in an eight point win. It was a huge win for the Kings who needed to snap the two-game losing skid they were on.

On the other hand, the Suns lost their third game in a row and in dire straights losing ground in the standings. The Kings were led by a great performance from Huerter in his return from injury. Huerter scored 29 points and was lethal from behind the line. In defeat, the Suns were led by Devin Booker who had 32 points.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Utah Jazz on Saturday at 7 PM PST. It will be the second night of a back-to-back.

Poole’s hot fourth quarter hand propels Warriors win over 76ers 120-112

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gestures after making a 3-point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Mar 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

In the words of former sportscaster Dick Enberg “My oh my, what a game.” The Golden State Warriors (39-36) had their most impressive win of the year as they beat the visiting Philadelphia 76ers (49-24) Friday night at the Chase Center 120-112. In a race with the Boston Celtics for the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers came to town having won 17 of the last 20 road games.

The Warriors, winners of the last two games on the road, were hoping to win their third game in a row. The Sixers’ James Harden would not play Friday night. Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II were not available either. The Warriors had to find a way to stop the Sixers’ big man, Joel Embiid. 

The game was a nip-and-tuck affair for most of the game. Neither team would give an inch. The Sixers’ biggest lead in the game was five points until late in the third quarter.

The Warriors were up seven early in the second quarter. The Sixers’ defense, the best in the league against the three-point shot, would be a test for the Warriors, the best three-point shooting team in the NBA. The game was a nail-biter, but the Warriors’ offense, behind Jordan Poole’s 19 points in the fourth quarter, produced the win for Golden State.

Both teams played defense in the first half. Joel Embiid was tough to guard. The big man bulled his way to the rim. The Warriors Kevon Looney, four inches shorter than Embiid, could not stop him. Embiid also went to the free throw several times.

The Sixers won the first quarter 27-23. The Warriors outscored the Sixers 32-26 in the second quarter to finish the first half with a slim two-point advantage, 55-53. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 14. The second-leading scorer was JaMychal Green with ten. Embiid led the Sixers with 19. Tobias Harris had 15, and Tyrese Maxey ten. The Warriors’ bench outscored the Sixer bench 25-5.

The lead changed several times in the third period. The Warriors led 78-76 after Jordan Poole made a four-point play. The Sixers got hot and went on a 12-1 run to finish the third quarter with a nine-point lead, 88-79. 

The Warriors’ offense came to life in the fourth quarter. The Warriors went on a 14-5 run to get within two, 93-91. Poole scored seven during the run. The Sixers fought back and led 100-93. The Warriors kept fouling Embiid, and Embiid kept making free throws.

Poole and Klay Thompson made threes to get within three, 102-99. Kevon Looney made a big bucket. The Sixers answered. Klay Thompson knocked down another three to tie the game 104-104. The game was tied thrice at 16, 108, and 110. Curry put the Warriors ahead for good 112-110. Poole connected on a three. Poole had 19 points in the fourth quarter. Curry scored the last five points of the game for The Warriors.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are now 39-36. They won their third straight. The Sixers dropped to 49-24. 

The Warriors are 31-7 at the Chase Center. The Warriors are 23-3 when they hold the opposition to 115 points or less. The Warriors outscored the Sixers 41-24 in the fourth quarter. The Warriors defense rose to the occasion.

Poole led the Warriors with 33 points. He made six threes. 19 of his 33 came in the fourth quarter. Curry knocked down 29. Thompson had 21. Thompson made six threes. Draymond Green had a double-double with ten points and ten assists. He recorded seven rebounds.

Looney had his hands full guarding Embiid. Looney had six points, ten rebounds, and seven assists. The Warriors’ bench outscored the Sixers’ bench 54-14. 

Embbid led the Sixers with 46 points. Embiid made 19 free throws in 22 tries. Tobias Harris had 23, and Tyrese Maxey finished with 21.

The Warriors meet the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night at the Chase Center. The Wolves’ big guy, Karl-Anthony Towns, will be in the lineup. The Warriors’ Gary Payton II may be cleared to return to the team on Sunday. The game will start at 5:30 pm.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will A’s leaving a large TV market for Vegas prove to be huge mistake?

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Las Vegas Ballpark home of the Las Vegas Aviators the A’s minor league club beverages at the ready in the bleachers. If the A’s and the city of Las Vegas make it official to move the A’s could the A’s start playing their games at the minor league ballpark while the new stadium goes under construction? (photo from thelvballpark.com)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, just wanted to start the podcast discussing the elephant in the room it’s been weeks since we heard anything from the city of Oakland in their efforts to try and keep the Oakland A’s in Oakland those hopes are fading fast as A’s management in the last few months have been seeking a site for a new Las Vegas ballpark.

#2 Daniel, the average income in Vegas is $35,000 to $51,000 and a much smaller population than the Bay Area that said are the A’s looking at the successes of other sports teams who are in Vegas and they can sell games near capacity or is this just one big roll of the dice for the A’s going to a smaller 40th size TV market and hope to sell out most of their 81 home dates?

#3 The city of Oakland did not get federal financing of $182.9 million back in January from the US Department of Transportation. The City of Oakland’s Transportation manager Fred Kelly said that the city will seek other streams of income to finance the Howard Terminal Ballpark so far nothing.

#4 Daniel, back out on the field the talk of the town is Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami who will bet the start against the Shohei Othani and the Los Angeles Angels on Thu Mar 30th at the Oakland Coliseum. Fujinami was 4-4 with an ERA 4.26 in spring training and he’s expected to be a key starter for the A’s this season.

#5 The A’s will open up their season against the Angels on Thu Mar 30 and have a rare Friday off on the 31st before getting back to the Coliseum on Fri Arp 1st against the Angels. One of the top concerns at the start of this season is how will the hitters and pitchers adjust to the time clock.

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

WNBA Report: Tom Brady becomes part owner of Las Vegas Aces

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The Las Vegas Aces introduced former NFL quarterback Tom Brady as part owner of the Aces Thu Mar 23, 2023 (image from @ LVAces)

By Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez

Thu Mar 23, 2023

LAS VEGAS–Former seven time Super Bowl quarterback Tom Brady announced Thursday that he is joining the WNBA’s Champion Las Vegas Aces as part owner. Brady said he’s a huge fan of women’s sports and has had a love for women’s sports at a young age since his older sisters took him to their games. Brady added that they were the best athletes in the house.

Brady tweeted the announcement by video and was very happy and excited about his newest venture since retiring after the 2022-23 NFL season. Brady said he was excited to be part of the Aces organization and hopes to contribute “as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor.”

Brady’s ownership stake as a minority partner joining Aces majority owner Mark Davis who is also owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. “Since I purchased the Aces our goal has been to win on and off the court. Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces and the WNBA but women’s professional sports as a whole.”

Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez cover the Las Vegas Aces for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Canucks 3 goal scoring in first and third periods do in Sharks 7-2 at Rogers Arena

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San Jose Sharks netminder James Reimer (47) was kept busy facing 21 shots and allowing seven goals against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thu Mar 23, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Torben Rolfsen

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA –The Shark tank continued at Rogers Arena in Vancouver as San Jose (19-38-15) lost 7-2 to the host Canucks (32-34-5) to inch ever closer to the best lottery odds in what promises to be one of the most talent-filled drafts in NHL history. The Sharks are now winless in their last eight games and have just one victory since February 20th.

The Canucks opened the scoring at 6:15 of the first on a horrible giveaway by Tomas Hertl as he passed it directly to J.T. Miller in his own zone, who buried it past Sharks goaltender James Reimer for his 29th of the season and fourth in three games. Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the Canucks two minutes later before Hertl replied with his 20th of the season shortly after.

The assists went to Erik Karlsson and Jacob Peterson, with his first point as a Shark. After an impressive long stretch of 5-on-5 pressure by San Jose in the Canucks zone late in the period, they reverted to being the Sharks before the buzzer as Dakota Joshua scored for Vancouver with just 4/10ths of a second left after some pretty passing on the fly by the Canucks got them through the Sharks D.

San Jose didn’t fare much better in the second, showing little power play life against Vancouver’s dead-last-in-the-NHL penalty kill. Reimer gave up a big rebound – one of many – a little past the halfway mark of the game, which a left-alone-on-the-doorstep Conor Garland easily tapped in to make it 4-1.

The teams woke up the crowd with a quick flurry of goals in the middle of the third frame: The Sharks Andrew Agozzino scored shorthanded (with his first of the year in just his second game) on a nice snapshot before the Canucks quickly answered back with goals by Vasily Podkolzin and Phillip Di Giuseppe.

Vancouver’s Sheldon Dries scored a late shorthanded goal with under ten seconds left. The low-shots game wound up 21-19 in Vancouver’s favor. The Sharks conclude their 3-game western Canadian road swing in Calgary Saturday night before returning home to face the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday and the Vegas Golden Knights next Thursday.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Ovechkin reaches NHL record 13th season scoring 40 goals; Brian Boyle joins NHL Network; plus more

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The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin scored his 40th goal for the 13th time in his career setting an NHL record surpassing previous record holder Wayne Gretzky. The Capitals lost to the Blue Jackets in overtime 7-6 on Tue Mar 21, 2023. (photo by the Athletic)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin set an all time NHL record surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most 40 goal NHL seasons doing it for the 13th time. The Caps were playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets when Ovechkin’s shot defected off the stick of the CBJ’s Nick Blankenburg at 5:12 in the first period on Tuesday night.

#2 Brian Boyle former NHL player will join NHL Network as a studio analyst, Boyle joins fellow studio analysts Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp on NHL tonight seen Thursday and Friday. Boyle will work the intermission reports this Saturday with Tony Luftman. Boyle said while he didn’t want stop playing the game he will look forward to talking about the game.

#3 Jared Bednar signed a three year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday the contract goes into effect next season through 2023-24. Bednar took over for former Avalanche coach Patrick Roy on Aug 25, 2016 and is 281-190-52 in 523 regular-season games.

#4 In an NHL Players Association Poll the Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby was voted the most complete player for the forth year in a row picking up 30.1 percent of the vote. Other NHL players Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Andrei Vasilevekskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews were also winners in the poll.

#5 The San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has announced that forward Jacob Peterson has been recalled from their AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Peterson came to the Sharks from the Dallas Stars on Mar 3. Peterson has a career 66 games, 12 goals and five assists.

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