Strong third period leads to victory for Barracuda over Canucks 4-3

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Strauss Mann gets ready before the game on February 18th against the Canucks.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

The Barracuda played the Canucks on the road and got a solid win after a great third period performance by a final of 4-3.

In this one Abbotsford opened the scoring as Wyatt Kalynuk scored his 4th goal of the season.

San Jose responded as Andrew Agozzino scored his 17th goal of the season.

The second period had no scoring as the score remained at 1-1.

Less than two minutes into the third period Nils Hoglander scored his eight goal of the season on the power play.

The Barracuda responded quickly with William Eklund scoring his 15th goal of the season on the power play.

Only 17 seconds later C.J. Suess scored making it a 3-2 game in the third period.

He then followed that up with another goal this time on the power play.

The Canucks did not go away though as Danila Klimovich scored his 11th goal of the season.

San Jose would end up holding on and winning 4-3.

The Barracuda’s next game will be on Monday against the Canucks once again at 2 p.m. on the road.

Big night for Ellis lifts Trojans past Stanford 85-75

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The USC Trojans forward (3) Vincent Iwuchukwu congratulates teammate guard Kobe Johnson (0) at the Galen Center in Los Angeles after defeating the Stanford Cardinal (@USC_Hoops photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 18, 2023

Boogie Ellis enjoyed a career night for Southern California on Saturday, as the Trojans beat Stanford 85-75 in men’s basketball at Galen Center.

Ellis, a senior guard, recorded career highs with 33 points, seven assists and six 3-pointers. His 33 points were the most for a USC player since Onyeka Okongwu scored 33 on Nov, 19, 2019.

The Trojans (19-8 overall, 11-5 Pac-12) won their 14th straight home game and remains in third place in the conference standings, Ellis had six of USC’s 13 3-pointers.

Drew Peterson hit 8-of-14 from the field and scored 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Reese Dixon-Waters, back from missing four games due to injury, scored 12 points, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds in Stanford’s only regular-season meeting with the Trojans. Michael Jones was next with 14 points, while Spencer Jones and Brandon Angel added 11 points apiece. Michael O’Connell had nine points and a game-high seven assists.

Stanford (11-16 overall, 5-11 Pac-12) jumped to a 9-2 lead early, before the Trojans took control of the game with a 16-2 run. After the Cardinal pulled to within two points, Ellis hit a pair of 3s, sparking an 11-0 run that gave USC a 41-30 halftime lead.

While Stanford outscored the Trojans 45-44 in the second half, USC led by no less than seven points while connecting on 53.8 percent of its field goal attempts in the last 20 minutes.

There were a couple of pluses for Stanford – the Cardinal outscored USC 38-22 in the paint with 13 of those points coming on second chances. Stanford shot 46 percent from the field, including 40 percent (8 of 20) behind the arc.

The Cardinal return to Maples Pavilion for their final two home games of the season, hosting Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

Sabres skate past Sharks 4-2; San Jose drops four of last five games

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Buffalo Sabres teammates gather after defeating the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Feb 18, 2023 (@BuffaloSabres photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The San Jose Sharks returned home to face the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at the Shark Tank. The Sharks were hoping to snap a two-game losing streak. That was not in the cards as the Sabres skated to a 4-2 win over the Sharks.

The Sharks lost a close game to the first-place Las Vegas Golden Knights in Sin City Thursday night. The Sharks were hoping to right the ship against Buffalo based on their strong effort, even though they came up short, 

In fifth place in the Atlantic Division, the Sabers needed a win as they are fighting to make it into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Buffalo got a much-needed win when they beat the hapless Anaheim Ducks 7-3 Wednesday night in Anaheim.

The Sabres started the scoring early in the first period. Dylan Cozen notched his 20th goal of the year as he put the puck past Sharks’ goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. The time of the goal was at 3:01. The Sharks responded with their first goal with 16:49 played. Evgeny Svechnikov put the puck past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for his sixth of the year. Assist went to Jacob MacDonald and Steve Lorentz. The first period ended tied 1-1.

The Sabres grabbed a 2-1 lead when Owen Power lit the lamp with 6:26 played/ Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner assisted on the play. The Sharks tied the game when Alexander Barbanov was in the right place at the right time. One of the Sharks’ players shot past the net and hit the boards, the puck rebounded right to Barbanov’s stick, Luukkonen was out of position, and Barbanov had an easy goal.

It was number 11 for Barbanov. Logan Couture and Erik Karlsson assisted. For Karlsson, it was his 56th assist of the season. The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the second period.

The Sharks, who are not going to the playoffs for the second year in a row, wanted to upset Buffalo’s apple cart Saturday night. The Sabres needed the win to stay close to a possible playoff spot. The last 20 minutes would determine the winner.

The teams battled it out on both ends of the ice. Buffalo, as they had done in the first and second periods, scored the first goal of the third period. The goal was scored by the Sharks’ killer, Jeff Skinner. Skinner notched his 21st of the year. It was Skinner’s seventh goal in his last seven games against the Sharks.

The Sharks need to come back from a one-goal deficit for the third time in the game. They tried, but they couldn’t get the puck into the net. They pulled their goalie and put pressure on the Sabres. However, Alex Tuch found himself alone in the Sharks’ zone and put the puck into an empty net to ice the win for Buffalo 4-2.

Game Notes: With the loss, the Sharks are now 17-29-11 for the year. They are in seventh place in the Pacific Division with 45 points. The Sharks are 5-14-7 at home. They have 25 games left on the schedule. Buffalo won the season series 2-0. Buffalo is now 28-22-4 good for 60 points.

The Sharks play the third-place Seattle Kraken at the Shark Tank Monday afternoon. The game will start at 1:00 pm. 

UCLA Overwhelms Cal 78-43: Bears’ losing skid hits 11

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By Morris Phillips

UCLA coach Mick Cronin made his point at halftime of the Bruins’ game versus Stanford on Thursday: respect the opponent and be ready from the opening tap.

It was a message Cronin didn’t have to repeat prior to or during the Bruins meeting with Cal on Saturday.

Instead, the hyper alert Bruins displayed their readiness by holding the visiting Bears to 15 points before halftime. That’s the fewest a Cronin-coached UCLA team has allowed in any half of a game.

Message delivered by the Bruins and received by the downtrodden visiting Bears.

“They’re great defensively,” coach Mark Fox admitted. “You have to give them credit.”

Cal trailed by 23 points at the break, and their 22 percent shooting for the game gave them no chance for a recovery. The Bears have dropped 11 consecutive games since beating Stanford on January 6.

Were there any surprises in Saturday’s matchup between the nation’s number two ranked defense and the painfully-slow, 296th ranked offense? Well, maybe how few minutes were afforded hyped-up UCLA walk-on Russell Stong, who didn’t make his entrance until fewer than two minutes remained.

UCLA (23-4, 14-2) led by Jamie Jaquez Jr. with 20 points and Amari Bailey with 16. The Bruins continued their cruise to their anticipated showdown with Arizona in two weeks by winning their 23 consecutive game at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bears, led by Kuany Kuany’s 14 points, did themselves no favors by starting the game with a 12-0 deficit after trailing 13-0 at USC on Thursday.

The Bears (3-24, 2-14) return to Berkeley next week for their final, two home games against Washington and Washington State.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Fujinami might be the drawing card the A’s need for 2023

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Oakland A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami tunes up at A’s spring training camp on Wed Feb 15, 2023 in Mesa AZ at Hohokam Park (photo from the San Francisco Chronicle)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, taking a look at Shintaro Fujinami in spring training and in his bullpen sessions he’s no joke Fujinami is throwing with a mean fastball and splitter and he’s in the upper 90s.

#2 Jesus Aguilar the A’s first baseman and designated hitter the A’s are expecting some punch in the line up out of Aguilar he did have a career worst wRC with the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles last season 86 in 129 games.

#3 Amaury, are the A’s on the fence about keeping Cristian Pache. Pache will have to showcase this month in spring training and that includes hitting and manager Mark Kotsay is looking for an everyday outfielder that can provide hits and RBIs. Pache has ability with the glove in centerfield but can he be that everyday player that Kotsay is looking for?

#4 Taking a look at former St Louis Cardinal and former San Francisco Giants broadcaster Tim McCarver. McCarver a former two time All Star and who called signals for former Cardinal pitchers Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton passed away this week.

#5 Amaury, It’s been six years since the World Baseball Classic has been played the games have expanded to 20 teams and have added three more teams, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Nicaragua.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts every Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Stadium Series with Hurricanes and Capitals tonight; McDavid, Oilers battled Rangers at MSG; plus more

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Members of the Carolina Hurricanes tune up during the morning skate on Fri Feb 17, 2023 before their meeting with the Washington Capitals in the outdoor Stadium Series in Raleigh NC at Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh. (photo by the nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, tonight’s the big night as the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes match up for the NHL Stadium Series at Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh this Sat Feb 18th. Everyone in Raleigh has been counting the days for this one and it’s the first outdoor game against the Capitals for the Hurricanes.

#2 Edmonton Oilers faced off with the New York Rangers on Friday night at Rogers Center in Edmonton. It was a game where Oilers superstar Conner McDavid needed just one more point to hit his 100th point of the season getting his 100th and 101st points. Things are going well for the Oilers they have won six of the last 11 games.

#3 Matt, wanted to go over some of the players who are up for grabs as the NHL trade deadline Fri Mar 3 is approaching. We’ll start with Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks would be a huge help on any NHL line. Kane has a no movement clause in his contract and would have to approve any deal. Kane has scored at least 20 goals 14 times during his 16 year NHL career.

#4 The Blackhawks Jonathan Toews is a 34 year center and his skills have declined is his last three seasons but has 370 career goals to his repertoire and has played over 1,000 games in his NHL career. Matt, if the Blackhawks can deal him do you see Toews being a big help for a club?

#5 The San Jose Sharks Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson’s names have circulated for trade rumors. Meier can light the lamp and has scored at least 30 goals in each of his last three seasons. Karlsson leads all NHL defencemen in goals. If the Sharks deal him they would have to take on some of his salary cap Karlsson gets $11.5 million a season and first right of refusal on any deal.

Join Matt for the NHL podcast Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 3 Cardinal women survive late scare from USC in 50-47 win

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Southern California guard Kayla Williams, left, tries to drive to the basket while defended by Stanford guard Indya Nivar during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Feb 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, February 17, 2023

No. 3 Stanford held off a late challenge from visiting Southern California Friday, as the Cardinal emerged with a 50-47 Pac-12 women’s basketball win over the No. 25 Trojans at Maples Pavilion.

Cameron Brink paced the Cardinal (25-3 overall, 13-2 Pac-12) with 12 points, ten rebounds and six blocked shots, Indya Nivar and Kiki Iriafen each scored nine points, and Haley Jones had eight points, ten rebounds and five assists.

USC (19-7 overall, 9-6 Pac-12) was led by Destiny Littleton with 15 points, followed by Okako Adika with 13 points and nine rebounds. Clarice Akunwafo finished with 12 rebounds.

Stanford led by one point after the first quarter and built a 32-26 halftime lead. The Cardinal led 40-29 at 7:55 of the third quarter on Hannah Jump’s 3-pointer. After Brink hit a pair of free throws at 8:05 of the fourth, the Trojans went on an 10-2 run capped by Okako Adika’s two free throws at 2:42, and her 20-foot jumper pulled USC to within 48-45 with 1:43 remaining.

Brink’s layup at 1:09 of the fourth quarter put the Cardinal up 50-45. Stanford’s Talana Lepolo committed a shooting foul with 37 seconds left, sending Littleton to the line. Littleton made both free throws, cutting the Stanford lead to 50-47.

USC had one more possession with three seconds remaining. Littleton missed a 23-foot 3-point attempt with one second left, and Nivar grabbed the defensive rebound to secure the win.

Attendance for this Top 25 matchup was 6,343. The Cardinal host UCLA on Monday.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal try to come away from road trip with a win at USC Saturday

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UCLA Bruins guard Jaylen Clark (0) spends a little hang time on the rim after throwing down against the Stanford Cardinal at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Thu Feb 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for the UCLA Bruins (23-4) Thursday, as the No. 4 Bruins overcame a halftime deficit and defeated the Stanford Cardinal (11-16) 73-64 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Pauley Pavilion.

#2 Earlier this season, the Bruins defeated Stanford 80-66. It was UCLA’s fifth straight win.

#3 Jaquez also grabbed nine rebounds and had three assists. Jaylen Clark was next for the Bruins with 16 points, three steals and six boards. 

#4 The Bruins surged ahead with an 16-4 run to open the second half, but Stanford responded with a 14-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45.

#5 Stanford prepares for USC (19-8) on Saturday night another tough customer coming off the tough loss to UCLA how much of a push will the Cardinal need to get past USC tomorrow night?

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Fox and Sabonis look forward to representing Kings at All Star game

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Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (left) and De’Aaron Fox (right) will represent the Kings at the NBA All Star Game this weekend on Sun Feb 19, 2023 in Florida (photo from NBC Sports Northern California)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, the first half of the season ended for the Sacramento Kings (32-25) not so well in Phoenix as the Kings were defeated rather handedly by the Phoenix Suns (32-27) at Footprint Arena on Tuesday night.

#2 The Kings by and large did get some high scoring by De’Aaron Fox with 35 points and Domantas Sabonis with 24 points but it wasn’t enough to win the game for the Kings.

#3 The key part of the Suns victory was they kept the Kings from scoring by some double teaming and strangling the paint the Kings for some crucial parts of the game got their inside game shutdown.

#4 On defense for the Kings couldn’t plug up the hole for the Suns Devon Booker 32 points and Deandre Ayton with 29 points.

#5 Fox and Sabonis are representing the Kings at the NBA All Star game this Sunday Feb 19th talk about the season they’ve both been having and what you look forward to see them doing this weekend at the NBA All Star game.

Join Jeremiah for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 4 Bruins hold off stubborn Stanford 73-64

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Stanford forward Harrison Ingram dunks next to UCLA guard Jaylen Clark, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 73-64. (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 12, 2023

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for UCLA Thursday, as the No. 4 Bruins overcame a halftime deficit and defeated Stanford 73-64 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Pauley Pavilion.

Earlier this season, the Bruins defeated Stanford 80-66. It was UCLA’s fifth straight win.

Jaquez also grabbed nine rebounds and had three assists. Jaylen Clark was next for the Bruins with 16 points, three steals and six boards. Adem Bona and David Singleton each added eight points for UCLA (22-4 overall, 13-2 Pac-12).

Michael Jones led the Cardinal (11-15 overall, 5-10 Pac-12) with 15 points, followed by Harrison Ingram with 13 points and Maxime Raynaud with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Michael O’Connell had five assists, four rebounds and two steals, and Ingram finished with six rebounds and five assists.

Spencer Jones, the Cardinal’s top scorer at 13.7 points per game, was held to six.

Stanford hit six of their first seven shots to start the game. UCLA took its first lead at 16-15 at 11:35 of the first half, but the Cardinal responded with a 9-0 run and led 31-27 at halftime.

The Bruins surged ahead with an 16-4 run to open the second half, but Stanford responded with a 14-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45. A dunk by Clark put UCLA ahead to stay at 58-57, but after a three-minute scoring drought, ingram hit a jumper to make it a one-point game with 4:59 remaining,

Will McClendon hit a 3-pointer with 3:39 remaining, extending the Bruins’ lead to 63-59. A parade to the free throw line, sinking eight foul shots, allowed the Bruins to build their permanent lead.

Stanford travels to Southern California on Saturday.