Back-and-forth affair ends with Barracuda losing in overtime 4-3

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Nikolai Knyzhov battles out front with a Firebirds player.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

San Jose and Coachella Valley played a tightly contested game that went all the way to overtime but ended with the Firebirds on top 4-3.

In net for San Jose was Aaron Dell while Chris Driedger started for the Firebirds.

The Barracuda got off to a quick start in this one as Alexander True took a high-sticking penalty putting San Jose on the power play.

On the man-advantage Kyle Criscuolo got a feed from Andrew Agozzino that he buried in the slot to make it 1-0.

The rest of the period was quiet offensively as neither team got on the board.

Despite no goals there were three other penalties handed out in the period one against San Jose and two against Coachella Valley.

At the end of the first the shots favored San Jose at 11-9.

The second period was a little quieter with neither team getting on the board till later in the period.

That goal came from Carsen Twarynski who buried his 10th goal of the season to tie the game up at one.

The second period finished with the shots now favoring the Firebirds at 28-18.

In the third Coachella Valley struck fast as just 1:35 in Luke Henman scored fifth marker on the year to make it 2-1.

San Jose had a quick response though as just a couple minutes later Thomas Bordeleau sniped one past Driedger to tie the game back up.

The offensive frenzy continued this time Ozzy Wiesblatt fead a beautiful pass on up to Jeffrey Viel who finished on the breakaway putting his point streak up to four games.

However, Coachllea Valley was not out of it quiet yet as 8:59 into the period Cameron Hughes responded tying the game right back up.

Neither team could find any more offense pushing the game to overtime.

In overtime it didn’t take long to find out who would win as Kole Lind put the game away in front of the home crowd handing San Jose their first overtime defeat of the season.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Kole Lind 2nd: Luke Henman 3rd: Austin Poganski

San Jose’s next game will be on Friday against the Ontario Reign at home at 7 p.m.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda hope to get off from bad loss face Coachella Valley tonight

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The San Jose Barracuda were clobbered by the Ontario Reign at the Toyota Center on Fri Feb 24, 2023 in Ontario. The Barracuda hope to put that loss behind them as they face the Coachella Valley Firebirds (tonight) Mon Feb 27, 2023 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose Barracuda (21-26-0) went to battle against the Ontario Reign (30-18-3) on the road and had a rough game defensively losing by a final of 6-1 on Friday night.

#2 Marko the Reign made things difficult for the Barracuda shutting out the Barracuda in the first period and getting two goals from Jordan Spence and Alan Quine.

#3 The Reign attacked again scoring four goals in the third period from Samuel Fagemo, Jacob Moverare, Tyler Madden, and Kim Nousianinen.

#4 The Barracuda avoided being shutout when forward Jeffery Viel scored at 2:42 in the third period. The Barracuda just couldn’t get any offense going and Reign goaltender Matthew Villalta stopped 34 out of 35 shots to hold San Jose to only one goal.

#5 The Barracuda face off against a tough customer the Coachella Valley Firebirds (33-9-4) this one on the road tonight at 7:00pm. Talk about how you see this match up.

Join Marko Ukalovic for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Thompson and DiVincenzo lead Warriors to win over Timberwolves 109-104

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The Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga (00) tries to reach in and get the ball while teammate Klay Thomson (11) watches at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Feb 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (31-30) found a way to down the Minnesota Timberwolves (31-32) Sunday night at the Chase Center Sunday night. The Warriors, still without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins. Could Steve Kerr’s revamped lineup do it again?

The answer was yes. It wasn’t easy, but it was a win. The fans had to hold their collective breaths as the Warriors almost gave away the game in the last 30 seconds of the game. Their longtime star, Klay Thompson, had another terrific outing and, along with Donte DiVincenzo, led the Warriors to a 109-104 win on Sunday night.

The Timberwolves, without big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, jumped off to an early 14-4 lead. Naz Reid led the Timberwolves attack. Reid poured in 24 points in the overtime win, 119-113, on February 1st. The Timberwolves point guard, D’Angelo Russell, also helped down the Warriors that night.

Russell was not in the lineup Sunday night as he was traded to the LA Lakers. Michael Conley was the new point guard. The Warriors started putting points on the board but finished the quarter trailing the Timberwolves 34-25.

Things changed in the second quarter. Jordan Poole and DiVincenzo led the Warriors rally. The Warriors defense slowed down the Minnesota offense. The Warriors won the quarter 34-23 to finish the first half with a slim two-point lead 59-57.

The Warriors had four players in double figures. Thompson paced the Warriors with 12. DiVincenzo had 11, and Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney had ten. Reid led the Wolves with 22. 

The fans hoped the Warriors could continue to play as they did in the second period. That did not happen. The Timberwolves came out firing from behind the three-point arc. Minnesota made five threes early in the quarter. The Warriors did not wilt until late in the period.

The Warriors scored just two points in the last five minutes of the third quarter. They made one two-point bucket and missed 11 times in those five minutes. The Timberwolves outscored the Warriors 30-19 to finish the third quarter with a nine-point advantage, 87-78.

If the Warriors were to win, they had to play defense, stop committing turnovers, drive to the basket and get some free throws. They did all three. The Timberwolves increased the lead to ten, 94-84. The Warriors went on a 12-2 run to tie the game at 96. The Warriors continued to play well.

The Timberwolves went ahead 99-96. Anthony Lamb and DiVincenzo each connected on a three to give the Warriors the lead 103-99. Time was running out. Thompson made a three to put the Warriors in the driver’s seat 105-99. Looney made it 107-99.

The Timberwolves made a three to make it a five-point game, 107-102, with 44 seconds left. All the Warriors had to do was make a basket, and the win would be secured. The Timberwolves had other thoughts. Minnesota hit a three, and the possibility of tying the game and going to overtime was now possible.

24 seconds remained to be played. The Warriors had the ball. The Timberwolves’ defense forced the Warriors to turn the ball over twice. The Warriors could not inbound the ball. With eight seconds left, the Warriors finally got the ball to Thompson. The Timberwolves fouled him, and Thompson made two free throws to ice the win.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are now 31-30. Minnesota is 31-32. 

All five Warrior starters were in double figures. Thompson finished the night with 32 points. Thompson had five rebounds and four assists, and he made six threes. It was the first time in Thompson’s career that he had 25 or more points in two consecutive games. DiVincenzo had 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists and made four threes/ Poole had 15, Jonathan Kuminga 13, and Looney added 12 points and 17 rebounds for a double-double. 

The Timberwolves’ Reid had a career-high 30 points. Kyle Anderson had 12, Jaden McDaniels had 12, Anthony Edwards had 12, Nickiel Alexander-Walker 10, and Conley nine.

The Warriors host the Portland Trailblazers at the Chase Center Tuesday night. The game will start at 7 pm.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: No.7 Warriors know each win is crucial; Golden State hosts Portland Tuesday

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Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) gestures after making a 3-point basket during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Feb 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara just how important was this win for the Golden State Warriors (31-30), the playoff spots in the Western Conference are tight and winning is the alternative as Golden State got a big one over the Minnesota Timberwolves (31-32) on Sunday night 109-104.

#2 The Warriors have been using a big chunk of their bench while starters Andrew Wiggins and Stephen Curry are out of action.

#3 The Warriors Klay Thomson topped the top of the leaderboard 32 points and four assists Thompson has take over the offense in particular with Curry being out.

#4 Kevon Looney continues to play consistent ball with 17 points and has scored at least 13 or more in the last six straight games the Warriors have been some close games and Looney has been key in keeping them in the game.

#5 The Portland Trailblazers (29-31) who’ve won five of their last five games tip off against the Warriors this Tuesday night at Chase Center . Barbara talk about this game as you see it?

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

Kings Wins Third Game In A Row Defeating Thunder 124-115

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The Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) goes for the two pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s guard Isiah Joe (left) in Oklahoma City on Sun Feb 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Wins Third Game In A Row Defeating Thunder 124-115

By Barbara Mason

Coming off of what has got to be the craziest game of this NBA season, the Sacramento Kings (35-25) took on the OKC Thunder (28-32) at Paycom Center Sunday night. The double overtime game the Kings played on Friday night was the second highest scoring contest in NBA history. The Kings won that game over the Clippers 176-175 in a real thriller. They got one day of rest yesterday before heading to Oklahoma to take on the Thunder and picked up their third win in row 124-115.

The Kings got a nice start in the first quarter winning it 36-26. De’Aaron Fox was on fire from the get go and did not take his foot off the pedal through the first half. After two quarters the Kings led 58-50 even though the Thunder won the second quarter 24-22.

OKC continued to push back winning the third quarter 40-36. The Kings still had the lead after three quarters but it was becoming uncomfortably close at 94-90.

Sacramento got some great play off the bench from Trey Lyles and Malik Monk and Fox continued to drain shot after shot in the fourth quarter. With under two minutes the Kings held onto an eight lead 120-112. The nine point win in favor of the Kings for their 35th win of the season.

It was another monster game for Domantas Sabonis with another double double and the man of the hour was Fox with yet another thirty plus game finishing with 33. The guy is a master on offense, defense and at the line. He leads the NBA in clutch points which we saw tonight. Off the bench Lyles had 16 points.

If there was any negative for Sacramento in this game it had to be the uncharacteristic number of turnovers with 20. That most certainly will be addressed before they take the court again.

Tuesday night the Kings will meet in a second game against the Thunder at Paycom looking to win a fourth game in a row since the break. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Stanford Teaches Washington New Tricks on Senior Day, 81-69

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Stanford forward Spencer Jones (14) shoots over Washington guard Jamal Bey (5) during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Feb 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (12-16, 6-12 Pac-12) gave their four seniors a great sendoff, as they controlled the Washington Huskies (16-14, 8-11 Pac-12) 81-69, in Maples Pavilion.

Senior forward Spencer Jones wasted no time trying to make his last game on the Farm a memorable one, with his early attack (16 points) of the dogs from the Evergreen State.

During the first 20 minutes of play, the Cardinal led the entire half, aided by an 8-0 run and a margin as wide as 12 points, which was the advantage at recess, 38-26.

Jones topped all players with his tally, while Huskies’ senior forward Keion Brooks Jr. offered his squad 10 points.

The second portion of the contest Stanford extended the lead as high as 20 points, with Washington trying to chip away at the deficit throughout the game.

The Cardinal managed to hold on to the advantage and win by the same margin (12) as they had at the midway point, 81-69. They also shot an impressive 50% from 3pt. range (12-24), which explained their dominance over the visitors from the Great Northwest.

Several non-graduating players joined Jones (21) in double-figure scoring: Sophomore forward Maxime Raynaud (15), junior forward Brandon Angel (14), sophomore forward Harrison Ingram (11) and graduate transfer Michael Jones (10), who has another year of eligibility, despite being senior.

Stanford will play next in Corvallis Thursday, March 2 to take on Oregon State, while Washington hosts Washington State on the same date.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB–Oakland A’s the Fuji effect

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The Oakland A’s Shintaro Fujinami warms up at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa at Cactus League spring training (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

MLB: Oakland A’s –  The Fuji effect-

Tha’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2023 season is not far from the ‘first pitch’, and Spring Training is in full swing as all 30 clubs have hopes of a postseason berth. Seven months from today reality will be set for 28 teams, and only two will be playing in the World Series. Although is too early to talk about October baseball, this is the time to talk about what teams have in store.

For the Oakland A’s there is a new bunch of players.  Among the position players, only a handful of “veterans” like Ramón Laureano, Tony Kemp and Seth Brown are names that fans could identify together with some young pitchers. The team signed free agent Japanese right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami “Please call me ‘Fuji.’ Like Mount Fuji,” the Japanese right-hander said in English when he was introduced to the media in Oakland.

Fuji played for ten years in Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan) for the Hanshin Tigers. Fuji (as he said he likes to be called) will turn 29 this next April. The A’s signed Fuji to a one-year deal for $3.25 million. He was, by far, the most interesting signing by the team this off-season. 

The A’s going to Asia makes news. After all, the last time the A’s had a Japanese player was in 2011, slugger Hideki Matsui, who played only that year for the Green and Gold, with the difference that Matsui was already a major league player. Today in Spring Training, Fuji is the main attraction, although he had yet to throw one pitch in the majors and although many “experts” suggested (before he signed with the A’s) that he could help a team in the majors as a reliever.

The A’s are giving him a shot of winning a spot in the starting rotation. Why not? The A’s rotation is still young and does not have much experience. Fuji pitched for ten years in Japan (although a rookie in the majors) he still has more experience on the mound than any A’s pitcher on this roster, to date.

Here’s what Sports Info Solutions wrote about Fujinami. The splitter was his best strikeout pitch, and his most-used pitch with two strikes, narrowly edging out his fastball in both two-strike usage and strikeouts. In addition to having a solid 34% whiff rate, batters also struggled to do anything with the splitter when it was put in play. His splitters turned into grounders 66% of the time, and batters only managed a 9% hard-hit rate versus the pitch.

I do not know how much success Shintaro Fujinami will have with the A’s, and the truth is that nobody really knows. Not a surprise the A’s signed him for one year since he will have to prove himself at the major league level. I am surprised when the A’s signed veteran Cuban-born journeyman Aledmys Díaz to a 2-year $14.5 million deal.

Díaz can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for plate appearances. Díaz is a seven year veteran who played for St Louis, Toronto, and the most recent World Champion Houston Astros. Díaz can play many bases and it makes sense he will take the place of utility man extraordinaire Chad Pinder who left the A’s to sign a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Note: Fuji was very excited after he learned on Saturday he will be starting this next Tuesday the 28th against his good friend and countryman, the sensational two-way player, Shohei Ohtani when the A’s face the LA Angels.

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Automatic strike out has impact on first day of spring training games; plus much more news

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San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado took the first auto strike in baseball history Sat Feb 25, 2023 against the Seattle Mariners. Here is Machado  following through on an RBI-double during the third inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 12, 2022, in Los Angeles (AP file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie needless to say lots of changes in baseball we’ll start with living and dying with the clock how much of a factor will the clock play that could decide a big game or even knock a team out of playoff contention?

#2 Charlie Saturday was the first day of the automatic strike call rule and that’s how the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves ended their game. With the bases loaded, two outs and a full count Braves second baseman Cal Conley was called out on strikes when the batter’s clock ran out on him thus the game was called in a 6-6 tie.

#3 San Diego Padres superstar third baseman was called for the very first automatic strike in MLB history when plate umpire Ryan Blakney called him for the strike for not being ready as the eight seconds ran out. Machado did end up going 2-2 against the Seattle Mariners none the less.

#4 Charlie lots of choices for Oakland A’s manager to make particularly in the outfield first JJ Bleday play left, center or right. Seth Brown will platoon between first and left field, Esteury Ruiz is slated for center and Ramon Laureano in right.

#5 The Minnesota Twins Carlos Correa who returned to Minnesota with a six year $200 million said “I could sit down and cry about it (not passing the physicals and loss of salary money with the Giants and Yankees) or I could keep working” and Correa has returned can he live up to the expectations even with the lower leg injury?

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Blackhawks edge Sharks 4-3 in shootout, Marleau’s No. 12 retired

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In a special tribute to former San Jose Shark Patrick Marleau he is joined by former Shark teammates Joe Thornton (center) and Kelly Hrudey (right) to retire his old number 12 at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Feb 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 25, 2023

Chicago goaltender Petr Mrazek made 45 saves, stopped all three shootout attempts by San Jose, and led the Blackhawks past the Sharks 4-3 Saturday on Patrick Marleau Night at SAP Center.

Marleau had his No. 12 retired by the Sharks, a first in team history. He played 21 of his 23 NHL seasons for San Jose before retiring in 2021. Marleau broke Gordie Howe’s record for NHL games played with 1,779. He holds Sharks records for games played (1,607), goals (522) and points (1,111).

Philipp Kurashev scored the only goal in the shootout, giving Chicago (21-32-5, 47 points) its longest winning streak since winning five in a row in January 2020.

Also scoring for the Blackhawks, David Gust with his first career goal, Brett Seney had his first goal in four years and Max Domi. Nick Bonino Evgeny Svechnikov and Erik Karlsson all scored for the Sharks (18-30-12, 48 points), who have lost five of their last six games. San Jose goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen was credited with 32 saves.

Domi scored on the opening shift of the third period to put Chicago ahead 3-2. Karlsson answered for San Jose with a goal with 2:11 remaining after the Sharks pulled Kahkonen for a sixth attacker.

The 29-year-old Gust scored on his first shift in the first period when he deflected a pass from Colin Blackwell past Kahkonen. Gust and Eddie Olczyk are the only Illinois natives to score in their NHL debuts with Chicago.

After Bonino tied it for the Sharks, Seney scored on a rush for his first goal since Feb. 9, 2019, when he played for the New Jersey Devils. Svechnikov then scored for the Sharks to tie the game at 2-2.

The Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane flew back to Chicago as trade talks with the New York Rangers began to heat up. Kane has a no-movement clause in his contract and must approve any deal. Sharks forward Timo Meier, who is also mentioned in trade talks, missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury that is not considered serious.

The Sharks host Montreal on Tuesday.

No. 8 Utes upend No. 3 Stanford 84-78, claim share of Pac-12 women’s crown

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All the Stanford Cardinal bench can do is just watch as Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) reacts to making a 3-point shot against Stanford in the first half Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 25, 2023

Utah earned a share of the Pac-12 women’s basketball regular season championship on Saturday, as the No. 8 Utes upended No. 3 Stanford 84-78 before 9,611 at Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Gianna Kneepkens scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Utes (25-3 overall, 15-3 Pac-12) to their first regular season conference title, only two seasons removed from winning five total games. Alissa Pili was next for Utah with 14 points, and Kennedy McQueen had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals.

Hannah Jump scored 24 points for Stanford (27-4 overall, 15-3 Pac-12), followed by Cameron Brink with 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, and Haley Jones with nine points and eight rebounds.

Utah led 40-34 at halftime and made 5 of 7 shots to open the third quarter, building a 52-40 lead on back-to-back field goals by Kneepkens and Issy Palmer. The Utes led the entire second half, although Stanford pulled to within 73-72 after Brink and Jones each scored two baskets. Utah responded with a 3-pointer by Kneepkens to keep the Cardinal from getting any closer.

Utah forced three straight turnovers in the final minute to lock down the win. The Utes scored 26 points off of 21 Stanford turnovers. The Cardinal held a 37-23 rebounding edge.

Stanford and Utah each have a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament this week in Las Vegas.