Oilers McDavid 2 goals helps bury Sharks 7-1 in San Jose

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The San Jose Sharks Oscar Lindblom scored the only goal of the night for the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose against the Edmonton Oilers on Fri Jan 13, 2023 (San Jose Sharks photo)

By Len Shapiro

SAN JOSE–The Edmonton Oilers (28-18-3) Connor McDavid gifted himself on his 26th birthday scoring two goals to lead the Oilers to a 7-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks (13-23-8) at SAP Center in San Jose on Friday night. McDavid picked up an assist in the contest and now has 25 points with ten goals and five assists for this road trip it’s his longest scoring total for the road.

McDavid now has scored in six straight road games with 37 goals and 45 assists for a total of 82 points McDavid has accomplished it in 44 games. McDavid is scoring Hall of Fame numbers and accomplishments his 80 plus in 44 games since some of the best players in hockey have done it in 44 or less games, Mario Lemieux (31), Jaromir Jagr (37), and Ron Francis (44) all doing it with the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins.

McDavid gave credit to teammate Leon Draisaitl who passed the puck to him that helped him get the scores, “Two pretty good passes from him (Draisaitl) there, so that helps,” McDavid said “I feel pretty good, but it’s about our group in here. We’re continuing to try to lay good games down one after another and take it one day at a time, kind of like our second half last year.”

The Sharks got their only goal of the night from Oscar Lindblom who scored in the third period. The Sharks hardly made any noise against the Oilers offensively and Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen looked like one of the goalies from the movie the Mighty Ducks getting pelted all night facing 41 shots and saving 37. Kahkonen stayed in the whole game and Sharks head coach David Quinn didn’t pull him out saying he was the only player on the ice doing his best.

Quinn said the team stunk the whole game not being to execute the shots in the Oilers end of the ice, not taking advantage of the power play, and not giving Kahkonen enough protection up front that saw a volley of goals to light the lamp before you could even turn around. “We just stunk. We stunk on the powerplay. We stopped on the penalty kill. We stunk 5-on-5. Our forward’s stunk, (and) our defensemen stunk,” Quinn said. “The only guy that didn’t stink was our goalie. And that hasn’t happened all year, and over 82 games, something like this is going to happen. You can move past it pretty quickly.”

The Sharks after Friday’s loss are sinking further in the Pacific Division to seventh place losing four of their last five games. The Sharks with the loss to the Oilers opened a three game homestand and have struggled at home this season and can’t seem to get it together on home ice. They host the New Jersey Devils (27-12-3) who are hot bringing in a three game win streak to San Jose on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr day a 1:00pm face off at SAP Center.

Kings send Rockets into orbit sweep two game set 139-114 at Golden 1

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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green knocks the ball away from Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis (3) during the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Jan 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (23-18) were back in action on Friday night in Sacramento. The Kings last played Wednesday night in Sacramento against the Houston Rockets (10-32) as the Kings handled the Rockets by the final 135-115. However, the Rockets didn’t leave town. The Rockets stayed in Sacramento with an off day on Thursday. The Rockets and Kings were set to play again on Friday at 7 PM PST, the second of a two-game series. The Kings handled the Rockets on Friday night 139-114.

In the first quarter, neither team shined. The Rockets and Kings were trading baskets all quarter, with neither of the teams going on much of a run. However, Malik Monk hit three consecutive three-pointers near the end of the quarter to propel the Kings into the lead. The Kings outscored the Rockets in the first quarter 36-32. Malik Monk led the way in the first quarter with nine points. The Kings would look to have a more consistent quarter in the second to build the lead. 

In the second quarter, the game stayed tight. The Kings and Rockets played little defense as the offenses had their way. When it was all said and done, the Rockets would outscore the Kings in the second quarter 34-31. The Kings defense continued to struggle to put up stops.

It is no secret the Kings weakness is getting stops and that was on full display on Friday night. Leading the way for the Kings in the first half was Malik Monk, who had 15 points. Jalen Green was doing the damage early for the Rockets with a 25-point first half. The Kings led at halftime 69-66.

In the third quarter, the Kings went off. The Kings offense led to defense as they held the Rockets to only 26 points in the third quarter. On the other hand, the Kings offense exploded for 43 points to break the game wide open. The Kings offense was firing on all cylinders.

The outburst would lead the Kings to a 112-92 advantage heading into the final quarter. Also worth noting was an altercation between Malik Monk and Garrison Mathews. Matthews and Monk were both ejected along with two other players for escalation. 

In the fourth quarter, the minutes were purely procedure. The Kings continued to play well until the bench was emptied for the end of the game minutes.  Leading the way for the Kings in the game was Harrison Barnes, who scored 27 points.

However, not to be overshadowed by Domantas Sabonis, who had a 19-point, 16 rebounds, and 16-assist game. Domas was incredible. Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets, scoring 27 points in the game. The Kings outscored the Rockets 27-22 in the final quarter; the Kings won the game.

Up Next: The Kings go on the road and travel to Texas as they take on the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at 4 PM PST.

No. 2 Cardinal women keep rolling with 72-59 win over UCLA

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Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) celebrates her basket against UCLA during the second half at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Fri Jan 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

Daniel Dullum
Friday, January 13, 2023

Stanford’s one-two scoring punch of Haley Jones and Cameron Brink paced the No. 2 Cardinal to a 72-59 Pac-12 women’s basketball win over No. 8 UCLA Friday in Los Angeles.

Jones finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Brink added 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots for the Cardinal (18-1 overall, 5-0 Pac-12). Hannah Jump and Talana Lepolo each hit a pair of 3-pointers for Stanford while finishing with eight points apiece. Kiki Iriafen and Agnes Emma-Nnopu each scored nine points.

Charisma Osborne and Gina Conti each finished with 13 points for the Bruins (14-3 overall, 3-2 Pac-12), followed by Emily Bessoir with 10. Osborne also had seven rebounds and three steals. Conti and London Jones each had three assists.

Stanford held a 38-26 rebounding advantage. The Cardinal shot 41 percent (25 of 61) on field goals, 7 of 22 from 3-point range and hit 15 of 20 free throws. The Cardinal used a 21-10 fourth quarter to pull away in a game that Stanford led 51-49 after three periods.

UCLA shot 33 percent (21 of 64) from the field, including 9 of 27 behind the arc.

Stanford visits USC at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Warriors Get A Great Start On the Road Beating San Antonio 144-113; Game set NBA attendance record at the Alamodome

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Fans move about in the Alamodome before an NBA basketball game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors in San Antonio, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Get A Great Start On the Road Beating San Antonio 144-113

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (21-21) took on the San Antonio Spurs (13-30) in the first of a five game road trip. Alamodome was packed with nearly 65,000 fans at the start of the game. At the end of the third quarter we got the exact attendance which was an NBA record breaker with 68,323. The Warriors were not intimidated by the sell out record setting crowd and defeated the Spurs 144-113.

On top of this it was the 50th anniversary of the storied San Antonio franchise. The Warriors had a great first quarter leading 33-25 after the first 12 minutes. The Spurs had a slow start but started to challenge Golden State as the quarter wore on. The Warriors were shooting from beyond the arc as expected but they were winning the battle in the paint.

Golden State did not slow down in the second quarter. At the half they had won the quarter 41-32 and led 74-60. The Warriors were shooting at 58% and had only five turnovers in the half. The Warriors had shot nine from downtown while the Spurs were struggling from long with only two baskets.

The Warriors won the battle of the benches and the Spurs were having a rough time keeping up with the Warriors ball movement,. The Warriors were 18 of 23 from the paint and it was an ideal first half of basketball for Golden State.

The Spurs got a quick start in the third quarter and started to trim the Warriors lead and with 9:20 San Antonio trailed by 78-72. Golden State turned it around and got back on track to extend their lead back out to 91-75 with 6:43 left in the third. Klay Thompson was having a great game going seven of eight with 16 points.

The Warriors tonight looked like the defending champions, a great thing to see on the road for these guys considering their issues away from Chase. As the clock ran out on the third quarter the Warriors had a significant lead 114-89.

Through three quarters, this was the best that the Warriors had played all season on the road and they did it in front of the largest crowd in NBA history. Golden State held onto the lead; they kept their foot on the pedal and won the first game on this road trip.

30 assists will win a lot of games and the Warriors played a complete game especially on the defensive end. They dominated the boards, made shots from downtown and their play in the paint was brilliant with eight players in double digits and 77 points from the bench. Jordan Poole had the point high with 25 and Donte DiVincenzo with 22. Four starters finished in double digits in this unique atmosphere.

The Warriors continue their road trip traveling to Chicago for an afternoon game on Sunday with the Bulls. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings go for the sweep concluding two game set with Rockets tonight in Sac

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes is defended by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) during the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1The Kings would turn up the heat on the Rockets and score 31 points in the first quarter. Granted, that was only good for a four-point lead as the Rockets scored 27 themselves.

#2 The Kings built on the lead early in the second quarter and then lost it. The Kings scored 36 points in the second quarter. That was a good number, but the defense suffered. The Kings Kryptonite all year has been defense.

#3 Wednesday was no exception to this rule. The Rockets scored 35 points in the second quarter to keep pace with the Kings. However, the Kings would take a five-point 67-62 lead into halftime.

#4 De’Aaron Fox led the way in the first half with 12 points, as Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 18.

#5 The Kings stay home to take on the Houston Rockets in the second game of the series on Friday at 7 PM PST at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford Women continue to roll; Cardinal bring 11 game win streak to UCLA tonight

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The Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) tries to take the ball past the Cal Bears defense at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Jan 8, 2023 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

#1 The only way the Stanford Cardinal (16-1) were going to stop the Cal Bears (10-5) Leilani McIntosh was for the Cardinal to rely on Cameron Brink to match each of her shots as time was running out and the Cardinal just got by the Bears 60-56.

#2 Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer knows about being road tested and the Cal Bears were no exception they gave it all they had but fell short. VanDerveer knows the game against the Bears helps build character as the Cardinal prepare in UCLA tonight.

#3 It was a big night for Brink who scored 25 points and 17 rebounds with three blocked shots. Brink is having a year looking at the year she’s having she very well could wind up in the WNBA someday.

#4 Haley Jones had 12 points with 11 rebounds was one of two players to finish in double figures against Cal on Friday night and Brink and Jones have been a great tandem.

#5 The Cardinal prepare for tonight’s game against the UCLA Bruins (14-2) who just defeated the USC Trojans (11-4) last Sunday. The Cardinal and Bruins match up for an 8:00pm tip off at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Join Daniel Dullum for Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes new head coach looks to change culture in 2023

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Striker Cade Cowell looks to drive the ball during Quakes training camp on Thursday JAN 12, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE —To say 2022 was a tumultuous year for the San Jose Earthquakes was an understatement.

It was the first season post Chris Wondolowski, who had retired after the 2021 season, and then head coach Matias Almeyda tried everything he could to get himself relieved of his duties. Matias was gone after San Jose began the season winless in their first seven games.

Interim coach Alex Covelo did his best to calm the sinking ship, but the team still struggled as they finished with an 8-15-11 (35 points) and dead last in the Western Conference.

General Manager Chris Leitch hired former FC Dallas head coach and at the time assistant coach for the US Men’s National Team, Luchi Gonzalez on August 17, 2022. Gonzalez would take over the team once Team USA exited out of the 2022 World Cup that concluded last month.

This week training camp opened for the Quakes and it was the first chance the media was able to get a first look at his coaching style.

The roster, which returns Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, Cade Cowell, and Nathan, were broken into groups and were participating in ball drills throughout the majority of practice and less conditioning drills. A complete 180 from last season and during Almeyda’s regime.

When asked what was the main thing that stood out about Gonzalez, Ebobisse said Luchi’s ability to communicate with the team.

“He’s really eager to communicate with his players. I think everyone has gotten time to speak to him directly, on the field or off the field. He (Gonzalez) wants to get to know us, wants to build a cohesive family environment, which he already has been, but want to take it to another level. I think if we continue to build trust in one another, integrate the new guys, that trust should show on the field in good moments and moments of adversity when we try to fight back,” Ebobisee said.

Up and coming forward Niko Tsakiris, who is looking to play more minutes in 2023 after a promising start last season, said he’s excited to have a clean slate and is looking forward to learning and benefitting from Gonzalez’s system.

“New change, new faces with the staff and the team. It’s been to kind of see a new way of play. We’re excited for the (upcoming) season for sure,” Tsakiris said.

One big challenge a new head coach faces is not just getting the players to believe in his system but to hold the players accountable from the start of the season to the end. Gonzalez, who run sprints with his coaching staff after practice concluded, said it’s up to him and his staff to set the example of accountability in order it to trickle down to his players.

“It starts with myself as the coach,” Gonzalez said. “We need to mirror our accountability. Like human beings, it’s the mirror effect. We want to show that every day we want to get better. We want to show that we respond to adversity. We want to show an intensity and a relentlessness in our training. If we model that as a staff, I think the players, I believe think they take that on and collectively move in the right direction.”

Espinoza, who was the catalyst for San Jose’s offense last season, expects the Quakes to figure out their identity during the preseason and likes what Gonzalez has brought to the table after only training under him for the past few days.

“He (Gonzalez) just has a different mindset,” said Espinoza through a translator. “He’s bringing in new ideas. For him to be a coach that has (recently) gone through a World Cup and has that under his belt now, just gives you these different qualities and mindsets. I think that’s going to be really special for us and something we can use to our advantage.

Gonzalez has six weeks to get his team ready for its first regular season match against Atlanta United on February 25th. Whatever the result, San Jose is in much better place than a year ago at this time with the stability that Gonzalez brings to a team that desperately needed a culture change.

Washington dominates in 86-69 win over Cardinal

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Washington Huskies Keion Brooks Jr forward (1) gets a jump on the Stanford Cardinal at Alaskan Airlines Arena in Seattle on Thu Jan 12, 2023 (USA Today photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, January 12, 2023

Washington had five players in double-figure scoring on Thursday, as the Huskies defeated Stanford 86-69 in Pac-12 men’s basketball before an announced crowd of 5,692 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.

Braxton Meah led the Huskies (10-8 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) with 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Keion Brooks Jr. was next for Washington with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Koren Johnson added 15 points, followed by Cole Bajema and Kenyon Menifield with 11 points each.

Spencer Jones scored 12 points to lead the Cardinal (5-11 overall, 0-6 Pac-12). Max Murrell and Ryan Agarwal each scored 10 points, while Harrison Ingram scored nine points and had nine rebounds. Brandon Angel had three assists, and Spencer and Michael Jones each had six rebounds.

The Cardinal took a 7-0 lead to open the game, but Washington tied the game at 15-15 seven minutes later, eventually building a 47-29 lead at halftime. Stanford got no closer than 52-37 after Spencer Jones hit a 3-pointer at 17:57 of the second half.

Menifield hit 1-of-2 free throws at 16:11 to give the Huskies a 57-37 lead.

Stanford was held to 34 percent shooting from the field (24 of 70); the Huskies hit 33 of 59 (56 percent), including nine 3-pointers. Washington also dominated inside, scoring 44 points in the paint, as well as 20 points off of 12 Cardinal turnovers.

The Cardinal travel to Pullman, Wash., on Saturday to face Washington State. Tip-off is at 5 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2023 For the A’s “This Is It”

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred takes a walk on the field before Game 2 of an American League Division Series game between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Field in Houston, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Manfred has repeatedly said that the Oakland Coliseum location is not viable and is only focused on the Howard Terminal location in downtown Oakland (AP News photo file)

2023 For the A’s: “This Is It”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Like one of the Top 100 Songs on Billboard in the year 1979, Kenny Loggins “This Is It”. This 2023 Is It for the Oakland A’s. We will know if they are staying in Oakland while they build their new planned baseball park at Howard Terminal. Or leaving Oakland for Las Vegas.

Or new owners buy the team and pledge to keep them in Oakland. Pick one. Those are the most likely scenarios. They will not build their new park at the same location (in my opinion the best) the Oakland Coliseum; that is out of the question since Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred had repeatedly stated that is not an option.

The A’s have played in Oakland since 1968 and won 4 World Series at the Oakland Coliseum, only the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1958 have won more World Series among all five California teams with six titles.

What scenarios are left?

1-The current ownership of the A’s comes to an agreement with the City of Oakland to build Howard Terminal. Currently. There are no talks with Sheng Thao the new Mayor elected of Oakland. How likely is that? Depends on who you talk to. The city of Oakland had agreed to publicly fund the transportation and infrastructure around the privately funded 35,000-seat, 55-acre ballpark at the Port of Oakland complex named Howard Terminal.

The city applied for a federal grant estimated at a cost of $366 million, with the city’s request for $182 million, but that city application for $182 million was not approved. The funding is not there. That is not good news for those that want the A’s to stay.

But the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s do not have a binding contract. So far all is non-binding. Difference? What is a binding contract? A “binding contract” is any agreement that’s legally enforceable. That means if you sign a binding contract and don’t fulfill your end of the bargain, the other party can take you to court.

2- Las Vegas, Nevada. The A’s have talked with multiple site owners, all adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip. Two sites primarily, one next to Circus Circus owned by Phil Ruffin, and the other one at the current site of the Tropicana, recently purchased by Bally’s Corporation.

Bally’s corporation and Sinclair Broadcasting acquired a group of stations from Fox Regional Sports which currently have the broadcast rights for various major league baseball teams. For a while, A’s were talking with Phil Ruffin regarding the Las Vegas Fairground site, (according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal), but that is not the case anymore. It seems as of today, the Las Vegas Review-Journal confirmed the A’s have the Tropicana site as their favorite. Looks like the A’s have picked their site.

3- If the Oakland A’s get an offer from a new owner to buy the team. Although the A’s are not officially for sale, there are two teams currently for sale, the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Angels. Since 2005 Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have expressed their interest for buying the A’s and keeping them in Oakland but the A’s current ownership was not interested. Now Lacob and Gruber are interested in the LA Angels, but in the world of business there are always surprises. So for those that want to keep the A’s in Oakland it would be very good news that a new owner buys the team.

The Oakland Athletics will have their relocation fee waived if they decide to move to Las Vegas, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says 2023 is a big year when it comes to the future of the franchise. Yes indeed, “This Is It” 2023 is here. Fish or cut bait.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead Spanish radio play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cougars play catch up on Cal 66-51; Cal just missed getting third straight win

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Washington State forward DJ Rodman (11) celebrates his basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against California, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael it looked promising but the Cal Bears (3-14) couldn’t hold on and fell apart on offense and defense to the Washington State Cougars (8-10) 66-51 on Wednesday night in Pullman.

#2 Cal was down at halftime 31-30 but the Cougars opened the second half with a 12-0 run and the Bears couldn’t even catch up.

#3 The Cougars had a 23 point lead just before garbage time kicked in and the Bears just were left with just no chance to catch up and get back in this one.

#4 To say the least the Bears melted down in the second half and they just simply couldn’t stop the Cougars who were just having their way in scoring. The Cougars were just simply blowing past the Cal defense and whole different story then the first half.

#5 The Bears head to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies (9-8) who are on a five game losing streak. Michael get your take on how you see these two teams on Saturday night a 3:00pm tip at Alaskan Airlines Arena.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com