Third period collapse by Barracuda gives Gulls victory 5-2

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda Twitter. Patrick Sieloff readies himself before a game.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

On the last game of a four game road stand the Barracuda fell flat in the third period and lost to the San Diego Gulls by a score of 5-2.

The game started off promising enough for San Jose as 4:49 in Jeffrey Viel scored his sixth goal of the season assisted by Adam Raska and Darren Brady. Making it 1-0 Barracuda on top early on in the contest.

After that goal San Jose went on the power play twice but failed to convert on both opportunities.

12:44 into the first William Eklund found himself on a two-on-one and buried a wrist shot home past Lukas Dostal to make it 2-0 San Jose.

That was the last goal of the period as the Barracuda dominated the period leading in shots as well by a wide margin of 14-3.

San Diego in the second came out with a new sense of determination and just 2:15 into the period they made the Barracuda pay.

From an awkward shot off the right wing boards Pavol Regenda sneaked his seventh goal of the season past goalie Eetu Makiniemi.

A little later in the second period a surprising event occurred when Eklund fought Glenn Gawdin resulting in Eklund being ejected from the game for instigation.

On the ensuing power play the Gulls scored as Benoit-Olivier Groulx tipped home a pass from Brayden Tracey tying the game at two.

There were a few more penalties between the two team though no more goal were scored in the period.

The shots at the end of the first favored San Jose 22-16.

In the third period both teams continued to load up on penalty minutes while the power play units continued to go cold.

Later on in the period on a wrap around feed Hunter Drew deposited the puck into an empty cage to give the Gulls a late lead.

San Jose pulled their goalie to try to come back but two empty net goals by Rocco Grimaldi dashed those hopes.

Putting the score at a final of 5-2 in favor of San Diego.

The shots at the end of the game favored San Jose at 31-24.

The three stars of the game 1st: Rocco Grimaldi 2nd: Hunter Drew 3rd: Pavol Regenda

San Jose plays the Canucks on Saturday at home at 6 p.m.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears fail to get third straight win in second half melt down to Cougars 66-51 at Wazzu

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Cal Bears head coach Mark Fox said that the team just didn’t hold it together in the second half and let the game get away against the Washington Cougars on Wed Jan 11, 2023 at Pullman WA (AP News photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

The hot hand of the Washington State Cougars (8-10) DJ Rodman who was responsible for hitting four three pointers Wednesday night in Pullman. Rodman who finished up with 14 points to help defeat the Cal Bears (3-14). Mouhamed Gueye like Rodman scored 14 as both finished tied for the leading scoring category for the Cougars.

The Cougars Justin Powell finished third in scoring with 12 points and rounded out the WSU players who finished in double figures. The Bears made seven of their last field goal attempts in first half action. The Bears Grant Newell and DeJuan Clayton both help cut Washington State lead down to a point at the half 31-30.

The Cougars in the second half broke out with a 15-2 run with Kymany Houinsou making a lay up against the Bears 15 seconds into the second half. Rodman made the Cal defense melt like butter hitting three three pointers in two minutes and 12 seconds and you could see that was taking a toll on the Bears for any chance to get back in this game.

The shots were not falling for Cal going 2-12 to start the second half and the Bears never got within single digits to catching the Cougars for the rest of the way. Marcel Roberson was the only Bear to finish in double figures and wound up with a career high 11 points.

Cal’s shooting was way down finishing with 28.6% 8 for 28 and went 0-11 on three pointers. The Cougars simply took Cal out of their game when the opened the second half with a 12-0 run. After Roberson in scoring all single digit finalists Obinna Anyanwu, Kuany Kuany, and Grant Newell all with seven points, Clayton and Lars Thiemann finishing up with six points each.

The Bears go onto Seattle to face the Washington Huskies who are in a three game losing streak for a 3:00pm tip off on Sat Jan 14th at Alaskan Airlines Arena on the University of Washington campus.

Kings take out Rockets in 20 point win in first of two game series

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By Jeremiah Salmonson

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, center, and forward Bruno Fernando (20) defend against Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk during the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (22-18) were back in action on Wednesday at home. The Kings last game was Monday, where they took on the Orlando Magic. The Kings were able to handle the Magic with ease in the blowout win 136-111.

On Wednesday, the Kings welcomed the Houston Rockets (18-31) to Sacramento. The Rockets were in town for a two-game series with games to be played on Wednesday and Friday nights. The Rockets came in 10-30 on the season, as the Kings were 21-18. The tip-off was set for 7 PM PST in Sacramento. GAME RESULT The Kings took the first of the two game set with a 20 point win 135-115 at Golden 1 Center.

In the first quarter, the Rockets started strong. They scored the first eight points of the game to put the Kings on notice. However, that would be short-lived. The 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. The Kings would have a first-quarter lead and look to expand that in the second quarter.

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

In the third quarter, the Kings did not play well. Not only did the Kings defense not show up the offense wasn’t able to pick them up. The Rockets outscored the Kings 33-27 in the third quarter to come back and take the lead from the Kings. The Rockets would head into the final quarter with a one-point lead over the Kings. The Kings would need someone to step up in the fourth quarter if they wanted to win the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings do what good teams do against a poor opponent; the Kings took over. The Kings offense and defense simultaneously exploded in the fourth quarter as the Kings outscored the Rockets 41-20. It was a massive quarter for the Kings and a welcome sight, given so many close games late this season.

Trey Lyles was the hero of the quarter, scoring 15 of his 20 points in the fourth to lead the Kings to a 20 point win over the Rockets. Leading the way for the Kings was Domantas Sabonis, who was an assist shy of a triple-double. The Rockets best performance came from Alperen Sengun, who had a 10, 10, and 10 triple-double in the loss. The Kings improved to 22-18 as the Rockets fell to 10-31.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Houston Rockets in the second game of the series on Friday at 7 PM PST.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Kings Vilardi and Doughty score third period goals 53 seconds apart to down Sharks 4-3 at Crypto.com Arena

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Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield, left, scores on San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer, right, as defenseman Matt Benning, second from left, defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, center, and center Anze Kopitar watch during the first period at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (13-22-8) couldn’t hold their own on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles going into the third period with a 2-1 lead Timo Meier tied it 2-2. The Los Angeles Kings (24-14-6) got scoring help in the third period with goals by Gabriel Vilardi and Drew Doughty scoring 53 seconds apart for a 4-3 Kings win in the last meeting with the Sharks.

#2 The Kings Quinton Bayfield scored a goal and got an assist for the Kings who have now won three straight games.

#3 The Kings Phoenix Copely stopped 26 shots and is one of the winningest goaltenders in the NHL with a 12-2 record.

#4 The Sharks Timo Meier scored his first power play goal of the season and an assist. They were playing the second of back to back games after playing in Arizona on Tuesday night.

#5 The Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers (22-18-3). The Oilers having a pretty good run right now having won five of their last ten games and winning their last game convincingly 6-2 over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Tell us how you see this match up between the Sharks and Oilers Friday.

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose 4-3, Suffer Season Sweep to Kings

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Jonathan Quick (32) Los Angeles Kings goaltender congratulates teammate and starting goaltender Phoenix Copley (29) after defeating the visiting San Jose Sharks at Crypto.com Arena on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (Los Angeles Kings photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks scored their first power play goal of 2023 but it wasn’t enough to stave off a season sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night in LA. Nick Bonino scored an un assisted goal and Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl lit the lamp but a pair of third period goals boosted the Kings to a 4-3 victory.

Adrian Kempe started the scoring for the Kings, beating James Reimer 5:59 into the game for a 1-0 lead. Kempe shoveled a puck fed from Quentin Byfield below the goalline past Reimer’s opposite side pad for his 18th goal of the year.

The Kings would fire 22 shots on Reimer but he stood tall apart from the one blemish, giving Bonino a chance to tie the game 1:20 into the 2nd period. LA goalie Pheonix Copley flubbed a shot from Erik Karlsson that went in and out of his glove. He tried to play the puck away from danger but heeled it, giving Bonino the gimme backhander for his 5th of the year.

Kings prospect Byfield scored his 1st goal of the year in 15 games, handing LA the 2-1 lead 6:58 into the 2nd on a netfront tip that beat Reimer five-hole. Timo Meier responded though, snapping am 0-for-16 power play drought when his wrister beat Copley at the 10:11 mark of the third period. Logan Couture and Erik Karlsson assisted on the goal.

The tie would last only 2:29 when Gabe Vilardi would beat Reimer with another slot tip for his 17th of the year. Drew Doughty then cashed in as a wide open trailer in what would become a 3-on-2 at the 13:33 mark for a 4-2 lead.

Tomas Hertl scored as the Sharks were attempting to pull Reimer with 2:06 left in regulation. Alexander Barabanov took the shot that presumably knicked Hertl on the way in with Meier also getting an assist for his 2nd point of the night.

The Sharks return home for a three-game homestand before hitting the road for 8 games with the All-star break in between the away set.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal look to bounce back in Seattle against Huskies Thursday night

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Spencer Jones forward (14) Stanford Cardinal is seen here driving on the Utah Utes on New Years Eve 2022 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael in Friday’s game at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley was this a matter of the Cal Bears were prepared and had studied film on the Stanford Cardinal in the Cardinal 92-70 loss or the Cardinal took the Bears for granted.

#2 In talking with coach Jerod Haase after the game was his demeanor more of disappointment or he looked at it as turn the page and get ready for the next game?

#3 Michael Jones led Stanford with 14 points he’s been on of the bright spots in the Cardinal line up as one of the top scorers.

#4 The Cardinal in second half action just had a tough time shutting down the Bears who set a school record with 16 three point shots.

#5 The Cardinal head to Washington Thursday and face the Huskies who have lost five games in the a row. The Cardinal are on a three game losing streak. What does the Cardinal take from their last game against Cal and bring into Thursday night’s game at Alaskan Airlines Arena in Seattle?

Join Michael Roberson for Cardinal podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda comeback but lose in shootout against Firebirds 3-2

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda Twitter. Barracuda forward Jasper Weatherby battles on the face-off against a Firebirds player.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

In their second game in a row against the Firebirds the Barracuda were down 2-0 but came back only to lose in the shootout by a final of 3-2.

Early on in the game both teams took roughing penalties resulting in a four-on-four with Coachella Valley maintaining most of the possession.

No goals were scored during the two minutes however, on a rush going back the other way Cameron Hughes slid the puck across to a streaking Jesper Froden who scored on a wide open net.

With game 1-0 the Firebirds continued to press at one point in the period out shooting the Barracuda 12-2.

On the 13th shot of that period for Coachella Valley Kole Lind on a nice feed from Brogan Rafferty one timed that shot home to make it 2-0.

While the scoring ended there in the first the shots continued to pile on as by the end of the first the shots favored the Firebirds 18-6.

After the first which saw Coachella Valley dominate the second period got off to a much slower start. With each team only getting a few shots.

At the 14:10 mark the Barracuda were given a chance to comeback as Lind took a slashing penalty. San Jose’s power play though was unsuccessful which that ended up being their last power play of the game.

Less than five minutes after the PP unit got off the ice Adam Raska fired a shot from the point that was tipped by Luke Johnson making it a one goal game. It was Johnson’s seventh goal of the season and that late in the period it seemed to give San Jose a little bit of life.

The Barracuda did not end the period on a great note though as Will Riedell and Montana Onyebuchi took penalties just a little bit apart.

Heading into the third on a five-on-three San Jose needed a big kill and got just that as the Firebirds walked away empty handed.

The rest of the third similar to the second was a close checking game with not a ton of opportunities either way.

Jasper Weatherby did take a cross-checking penalty but once again the penalty kill came up big keeping it a one goal game.

With the score still close and San Jose needing a goal Aaron Dell was pulled with just 1:30 left in the game.

30 seconds later Thomas Bordeleau one timed a shot pass across to Danil Gushchin who slid in back door and deflected the pass in off of his skate and scored tying the game up at two.

In dramatic fashion the Barracuda had tied and officially forced the game into overtime.

The overtime period much like the rest of the game was close with a total of two shots taken by each team.

Neither of those shots ended up going in meaning a shootout was next.

The shootout was even more drama filled with both teams goalies standing on their heads and making save after save.

It took until the seventh round before finally Lind scored putting the pressure on San Jose.

William Eklund shot next and was stopped by Joey Daccord who emphatically celebrated as Coachella Valley had won the game 3-2.

The shots at the end of the game were 36-22 in favor of the Firebirds.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Kole Lind 2nd: Jesper Froden 3rd: Joey Daccord

San Jose’s next game will be on the road this time in San Diego on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Warriors Lose Third Straight At Chase To Suns 125-113

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Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig dunks against the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (20-21) took on the Phoenix Suns (22-21) in the final game of this eight game home stand. Things were really looking up for Golden State welcoming back Stephen Curry. Andrew Wiggins was back for his first game after a long 15 game stretch on Saturday losing to the Orlando Magic. The Welcoming didn’t last long as the Warriors wound up losing their third straight game to the Suns at Chase Center in San Francisco 125-113.

Klay Thompson who sat out the Orlando game on Sunday was back on the court. The starting roster hasn’t looked this way for awhile now. Draymond Green, Curry, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney started the game.

The Phoenix squad were not at all intimidated by the Warriors leading 31-26 after the first quarter going on a 10-0 run to finish the first twelve minutes.

The Suns starters Devon Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul did not play but despite that the team did not miss a beat. Damian Lee was the spark for the Suns in the first quarter going two of three from downtown. He had 11 points in the opening quarter.

Phoenix created a sizable lead in the second quarter 53-36 with 5:07 left in the half. The Warriors had zero free throws while the Suns were ten of ten at the line. The Warriors offense was in disarray shooting 24% in the second quarter. At 3:27 left in the second quarter the Warriors went to the line for the first time in the game.

The Warriors had 11 turnovers in the first half and trailed at halftime 59-45. Golden State had to create some sort of offensive rhythm in the second half. The Warriors finished the half shooting at 34%. The Suns were shooting 38% but it was shots from beyond the arc (44%) that had given them the 14 point lead after two quarters.

The Suns continued to pour it on while the Warriors could not get a thing going with the exception of Thompson. Phoenix had taken a 86-62 lead with 3:53 left in the third quarter. Thompson was the only Warrior with double digits.

The Suns totally outplayed the Warriors through the first three quarters leading 98-79 going into the fourth quarter. Phoenix could not miss and with the exception of Thompson the Warriors were struggling on offense. Poole started hitting shots in the closing minutes of the third finishing with 14 points.

The Suns offense began to unravel in the fourth quarter. Golden State cut the Phoenix lead to thirteen with 5:40 left in the game. Golden State had opportunity after opportunity. The Warriors were getting stops and cashing in on some of them but also missing some wide open shots.

It got ugly in the final minutes of the game with Andre Iguodala being ejected. Golden State went on an 8-0 run with three minutes left in the game. The Suns had 25 offensive rebounds and cashed in with 21 points. The Warriors really picked it up in the final minutes of the game trailing by six points 117-111. They just ran out of clock. Trailing at one time by 27 the Warriors made a real bid to take this game but ended up losing.

This was a morale building for the Suns after losing six straight games. Mikal Bridges finished with 26 games, followed by Duane Washington Jr. with 21 points. Former Warrior Lee came off the bench for 22 points.

The return of Curry, Thompson and Andrew Wiggins all playing together didn’t bring the anticipated excitement until the fourth quarter. Thompson had 29 points and Curry finished with 24.

Off the bench Poole had 27 points. Golden State cannot wait until the fourth quarter to turn on their defense and start sinking shots at the end. It’s just not winning basketball and they better get over it by next Friday when they take on the San Antonio Spurs. That game will kickoff a five game road trip.

Friday night the Warriors will head out on the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs. Golden State will be looking to get some wins on the road where they have struggled mightily this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30.

Sharks enjoy playing in college arena, knock off Coyotes 4-2

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Arizona Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz (8) shoots the puck past San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) during the second period at Mullet Arena in Tempe on Tue Jan 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, January 10, 2023

TEMPE, Ariz. – For the most part, the San Jose Sharks (13-21-8) enjoyed their first visit to the intimate ambiance of Mullett Arena. Picking up two badly needed points in the NHL Pacific standings didn’t hurt either.

Matt Nieto’s tie-breaking goal less than 10 seconds into the third period put the Sharks ahead to stay in a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes (13-22-5) Tuesday at the new 4,800-seat home for Arizona State hockey and the temporary residence of the Coyotes.

“It was fun,” Nieto said of the Mullett Arena experience. “It felt just like juniors and it’s even better that we got the two points.”

Sharks center Logan Couture said, “Different is a good word for it. It’s a unique experience. I enjoyed it. It brings me back to my days when I was playing in the OHL in a bunch of arenas about this size – Windsor, Kingston, London. It had that familiar feel. The ice was great.”

Sharks right wing Kevin Labanc said, “It felt like I was playing in juniors again. It was a fun barn and I look forward to playing in it the next time.”

Nieto broke a 2-2 tie nine seconds into the third period with his eighth goal of the season, beating Coyotes’ netminder Karel Vejmelka from just outside the crease, knocking in a rebound off the initial shot by Couture.

“It was just a great forecheck,” Nieto said. “Barbie (Alexander Barabanov) worked hard to go get it, gave it to Cooch (Logan Couture) who gave it to me. It wound up in the net and it was such a momentum builder for us.”

Defenseman Jaycob Megna, who also assisted on the Nieto goal, added an insurance tally for San Jose (13-21-8, 34 points) with his first goal of the season at 14:10 of the third period. Megna scored on a one-timer from just inside the blue line, beating Vejmelka, who was screened on the play.

“I liked how we started the third period, getting the goal early,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “I thought we did a pretty good job after that, not giving them much. The PK had some big kills that we needed, and Kaapo (Kahkonen) was good in the net. So it’s a good way to start the second half.”

Nico Sturm scored the equalizer for San Jose at 5:59 of the second period when he converted a rebound off the initial shot by Nick Bonino, placing it in the top shelf over the shoulder of Coyotes’ netminder Karel Vejmelka.

San Jose opened the scoring at 4:39 of the first period when Kevin Labanc picked up a loose puck in traffic and shot it past Vejmelka on the glove side. Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier had the assists as the Sharks took a 1-0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, Barrett Hayton scored the equalizer for Arizona (13-22-5, 31 points). Hayton, on assists from Shane Gostisbehere and Jakob Chychrun, cruised across the slot area and flipped a backhand shot past Kaapo Kahkonen glove side.

The Coyotes took a 2-1 lead at 16:21 of the opening period when Christian Fischer fired a wrist shot from the edge of the left circle, beating Kahkonen on the glove side into a wide open net.

“I was a little disappointed when we came out strong in the first period. Then I thought we got a little sloppy,” Quinn said. “But I thought we responded well after being down 2-1 with a pretty good second period.”

Arizona’s Josh Brown and the Sharks’ Michael Eyssimont dropped the gloves at 19:21 of the first period. Each player received a 5-minute major for fighting.

Kahkonen stopped 27 of Arizona’s 29 shots on goal. Vejmelka faced 33 San Jose shots, making 29 saves.

The Coyotes were 0-for-4 on the power play, while San Jose was 0-for-2.

“The PK was pretty good,” Nieto said. “We were blocking shots, doing the little things, clearing the puck out, doing the hard work that you need to do. It’s no surprise that (our penalty kill) is in the top five in the NHL.”

The Sharks’ road trip continues when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. San Jose returns to SAP Center to host Edmonton on Friday.

NFL Playoffs podcast with Dave Zizmor: Can 49ers Purdy take on the league to get to the Superbowl?; Chargers battle Jaguars Saturday; plus more

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy affixes his cap after the 49ers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on Sun Jan 1, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. On Sat Jan 14, 2023 at Levi Stadium the 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks for the Wild Card Playoff. (AP News photo)

David talks NFL playoffs and predictions:

#1 Dave, let’s take each scheduled game one at a time, lets start with Saturday’s NFC Wild Card game Seattle and San Francisco.

#2 Next we have game two of the Saturday playoff doubleheader with the Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars.

#3 Four games are scheduled for this Sunday’s playoffs with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.

#4 New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings is the second game for the afternoon and Tony will give you his prediction.

#5 The Baltimore Ravens are in Cincinnati to face the Bengals a 5:15 kickoff.

#6 Rounding playoff schedule the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kickoff at 5:15 on Monday Night Football as well Dave who do you like in this one.

David Zizmor filled in for Tony Renteria. Dave takes you through each playoff game during the post season on Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com